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Hi,

A couple of weeks ago, I asked about complete proteins and whether corn flour
and chick pea flour combined would make a complete protein.

The notion of "complete proteins" was popularized in the 70s by the vegetarian
bible DIET FOR A SMALL PLANET by Frances More Lappe.  Her original theory about
complete proteins turned out to be partially wrong and she subsequently went to
great pains to correct the error.

She was wrong to suggest that vegetarians needed to combine foods AT THE SAME
MEAL to properly meet their protein needs.  As it turns out, there's no rush.

Humans need 22 amino acids.  All but 8 of these are made in the body.  A
complete protein provides those 8.

Complete proteins are provided by egg or milk proteins and meat, fish and
poultry.  Vegetables, grains and legumes do not contain all of the essential
amino acids, i.e. they are not complete proteins.

Incomplete proteins can be combined to provide complete ones.  Typical
combinations include corn & beans or rice & beans.  Soy itself is relatively
complete.

As to combining flours like chick pea and corn, no one had a definitive answer.

Two people thought that if the whole legume or vegetable was ground to flour, it
should do the trick.

(Based on 11 responses)

Brian Schnarch