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Multiple Choice
Which of the following foods provides all of the essential amino acids?
A
Almonds
B
White rice
C
Broccoli
D
Eggs
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the concept of essential amino acids: Essential amino acids are those that cannot be synthesized by the human body and must be obtained through the diet. There are nine essential amino acids: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine.
Learn about complete proteins: Foods that provide all nine essential amino acids in sufficient quantities are called complete proteins. These are typically animal-based products, such as eggs, meat, and dairy, but some plant-based foods like quinoa and soy are also complete proteins.
Evaluate the options: Almonds, white rice, and broccoli are plant-based foods. While they contain amino acids, they are not complete proteins because they lack one or more essential amino acids. Eggs, on the other hand, are an animal-based food and are considered a complete protein.
Understand why eggs are the correct answer: Eggs contain all nine essential amino acids in the right proportions needed by the human body, making them a complete protein source. This is why they are the correct answer to the question.
Apply this knowledge to similar questions: When determining whether a food provides all essential amino acids, check if it is a complete protein. Animal-based foods are generally complete proteins, while most plant-based foods need to be combined with other foods to provide all essential amino acids.