• Amino acids are the building blocks of proteins.

· The human body can synthesize all of the amino acids necessary to build all human proteins except for the ten amino acids called the Essential Amino Acids: isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, valine, histidine, arginine.

· Amino acids are typically found in meat and dairy products.
· Amino acids can also be supplied by a combination of cereal grains like corn, wheat, rice with legumes like beans and peanuts.
· Some popular food combinations contain the ten essential amino acids completing your protein requirements:
Mexican corn and beans
Japanese rice and soybeans
Cajun red beans and rice

Reference: Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005

February 4, 2009