One cup (147 grams) of cooked rice and beans contains approximately 6 grams of protein. While neither rice nor beans is a complete protein on its own, combining them creates a complete protein source because they complement each other's amino acid profiles.
Here's why this combination is important:
- Essential Amino Acids: Proteins are made up of amino acids. Our bodies can produce some, but others, called essential amino acids, must be obtained from food.
- Incomplete Proteins: Rice is low in lysine but contains methionine. Beans are low in methionine but contain lysine.
- Complementary Proteins: When eaten together, rice and beans provide a balanced intake of all essential amino acids, making them a complete protein. This is a classic example of complementary proteins.
Therefore, while the amount of protein is 6 grams per cup, the quality of that protein is significantly enhanced because it is complete.
