JAZ AND BEN
Jaz and Ben have been friends since they started primary school
together. Although they are in different classes at their
secondary school, they often meet up after school and at
weekends.
Ben enjoys eating with Jaz's family. They follow Hindu customs
and traditions. They are vegetarian, and always have an
interesting variety of dishes at each meal. This helps to ensure
that they have the mixture of nutrients they need. Ben eats meat
when he is at home, but does not feel that he is missing out if he
does not eat meat every day.
Example of a Main Meal
Vegetable Pullao
Black-eyed beans with mushrooms
Lentil dahl with garlic and ginger
Chapatis
Cucumber raita (yogurt)
Fresh coriander chutney
Protein supplied by an average portion of the complete meal
37.7g. The requirement for protein (RNI) for 15-18 year old males
is 55.2g per day. Therefore this meal supplies 68% of protein likely
to be requires by Jaz and Ben for one day.
Main sources of protein in this meal
Food
Protein Content (g/100g)
Rice
6.5
Green beans
2.3
Black-eyed beans
8.8
Mushrooms
1.8
Lentils
8.8
Flour
9.8
Yogurt
5.0
Source of Protein
Cereal
Vegetable
Pulse
Vegetable
Pulse
Cereal
Dairy product
Jaz is a vegetarian because he has mainly grown up in a family where it is part of their
way of life - and of their religion. Ben has been considering becoming vegetarian, but his
parents don't agree with the idea. He was interested in all the different opinions
expressed in a recent class discussion on the topic.
Sean: "We usually eat about meat three or four times a week at home. Raw meat feels
revolting, but I think it tastes pretty good when it’s been cooked.”
Sophie: "I can't stand the cruelty of keeping animals locked up, then killing them to eat.
You don't need to eat meat, anyway –it’s barbaric."
© British Nutrition Foundation 2012 www.nutrition.org.uk
Kate: "I need to eat plenty of meat and fish
because of my gymnastics. I need the protein to
build strong muscles.”
Cheng: "In my family we eat vegetables, rice and
noodles with a small amount of meat and fish
sometimes."
Darren: "You don’t feel you’ve had a proper meal
without a chunk of meat on your plate – I’m not
eating all that grey lentil and TVP stuff.”
Kamini: "One of the things my Dad did when he
had a heart attack was to give up eating meat for health reasons.”
Mrs Ellis: "My husband doesn't like the taste of meat, so I have cut down the amount I eat
too. I find it saves us money - but it can be difficult if we go out for a meal."
Helen: "My sister became a vegan when she went to college. She won't eat any meat,
fish, milk, eggs or even any cheese. Mum says she doesn't take enough care when she is
deciding what to eat. She says my sister won't be getting enough vitamins and minerals."
Francis: "We need to eat food from animals or plants to satisfy our own needs. Pigs, beef
cattle and poultry are reared especially for food, but first they have to be fed on plants.
It isn't a very economical way of obtaining protein."
QUESTIONS
1. a) Which food provided protein in the meal eaten by Jaz and Ben?
b) What would be the main sources of protein for a vegan?
2. How have Jaz's family made sure that their meal provides protein of high biological
value?
3. How well did the meal meet Jaz’s and Ben's requirements for protein on this particular
day?
4. a) What would Jaz and Ben need to consider when deciding what to eat during the
rest of the day to ensure they receive sufficient protein to meet their needs?
b) Does it matter if Jaz and Ben do not meet their protein requirement each day?
(Explain your answer).
5. Critically evaluate all the opinions expressed in the class discussion.
© British Nutrition Foundation 2012 www.nutrition.org.uk