While certain foods are widely recognised as excellent sources of protein, they can also contain elevated levels of fat. Nutritionists are therefore urging consumers to pay close attention to portion sizes and to the nutritional composition of the foods they include in their diets.
According to specialists cited by health platform Verywell Health, protein should form part of a balanced diet regardless of whether it is sourced from animal or plant-based foods or from supplements. The choice of protein sources should, however, take into account — among other factors — the fat content they carry.
Nutritionist Lauren Manaker, one of the specialists cited by the publication, notes that some protein sources can present a fat content higher than consumers might expect. Among the foods highlighted are cheese, peanut butter, fattier cuts of meat, nuts, and eggs.
Cheese
Cheese is one of the foods in which fat content can be high despite also providing a significant amount of protein. Lauren Manaker explains that “fat content can overshadow the protein ratio in foods that appear balanced.” She cites cheddar cheese as an example: a single serving can provide approximately seven grams of protein alongside roughly nine grams of fat.
The nutritional profile varies, however, depending on the type of cheese, as some varieties carry a significantly higher fat content than others.
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is frequently associated with protein intake, but it also presents a considerable fat content. According to Manaker, two tablespoons provide approximately eight grams of protein and 16 grams of fat. While it can form part of a balanced diet, the quantity consumed should therefore be factored into the overall dietary plan.
Fattier Cuts of Meat
Meat is an important source of protein, but its nutritional profile varies according to the cut. Examples of fattier options include bacon, typically produced from pork belly or other parts with a higher fat content, as well as cuts such as pork belly itself.
According to the nutritionist, these foods can form part of a balanced diet, but they present a higher fat content than leaner cuts, which allow consumers to obtain protein with a lower quantity of fat.
Nuts
Nuts provide protein, fibre, and fats, including unsaturated fats. Walnuts are one example, combining all three of these nutrients. According to the specialist, their fat content should nonetheless be taken into account, and these foods may be best used as a complement to a meal or snack rather than serving as a primary source of protein.
Eggs
Eggs provide both protein and fat, with the latter concentrated primarily in the yolk. Although the quantity of fat does not necessarily exceed that of protein, some dietary plans may favour the consumption of egg whites when the goal is to reduce caloric or fat intake.
Nutritionist Dru Rosales explains that a single egg presents similar quantities of protein and fat — a characteristic that, according to the specialist, can go unnoticed when the food is considered primarily as a protein source.
The specialists do not advocate eliminating these foods from the diet. Their recommendation centres above all on monitoring the quantities consumed and maintaining a balance between proteins, fats, and other nutrients across the diet as a whole.
Source: Diário Económico
Original article: https://www.diarioeconomico.co.mz/?p=544451
