Is gluten considered a source of protein?

giblerj27
giblerj27 Posts: 15
in Food and Nutrition
I understand the whole gluten-free craze going around, because of the allergies it can cause in certain people. However, for those of us that aren't particularly allergic to it, could it be considered a source of protein in our diet? I mean it basically is protein, but does it break down in our bodies like regular animal protein? Meaning broken down into amino acids, that can be used to help build muscle? As of right now I am studying to become a nutritionist, but I don't know everything yet.

Replies

  • PaleoPath4Lyfe
    PaleoPath4Lyfe Posts: 3,161 Member
    No, it is not a complete protein.
  • timbrom
    timbrom Posts: 303 Member
    Sure, it's a protein. Protein is protein. It's not a complete source of all of the amino acids we need to ingest to survive, kinda has a crappy amino acid profile like nearly all plant based protein sources. You aren't going to see "gluten protein supplements" start popping up next to the whey at a store, but it's still a protein.
  • Carnivor0us
    Carnivor0us Posts: 1,752 Member
    If you're not allergic to it, it's not really going to hurt you (I think) but like PaleoPath4Lyf said, it's not a complete protein and you have to eat another plant protein in combination to make it complete, although not necessarily in the same meal. Animal protein is a little more efficient though.
  • angel7472
    angel7472 Posts: 317 Member
    Vital Wheat Gluten is an excellent source of protein for vegetarians and others. No it is not a complete protein such as animal but it is a very high source of protein. Vital wheat gluten which you can buy at most health stores is almost 100% protein made from the by- product of wheat. According to the USDA it is more along the lines of Casein (egg) protein. If you add it to your diet you would still consider it protein regardless. Some body builders would not consider it a fully amino branched protein source though. Hope that helps :)
  • jstout365
    jstout365 Posts: 1,686 Member
    Plant protein is not equal to animal protein. Most plant sources are not complete proteins (lacking one or more of the 9 essential amino acids), but there are a few (mostly seed/grain like quinoa) that can be complete. I am not sure that a person would eat gluten on its own, but it would probably provide some protein found in things like breads and baked goods.

    There are many other higher quality protein sources, even in the plant based realm, that would be a better option over gluten.*

    ETA: *in my opinion.
  • giblerj27
    giblerj27 Posts: 15
    Oh okay, I understand. I'm not a vegetarian, so I will still be getting my main sources of protein from animal food. I was just curious. Thank you for that information everyone.
  • _John_
    _John_ Posts: 8,646 Member
    basically eating a variety of foods, you can EASILY get complete proteins from complementary sources of plant proteins. "Complementary" meaning that the foods have the amino acids the other is lacking.

    Legumes and wheat is a classic example.
  • RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle
    RaspberryKeytoneBoondoggle Posts: 1,349 Member
    Gluten is an excellent source of protein! Especially for people who don't eat meat.
    Look up seitan loaf recipes and their micros.
  • Sarauk2sf
    Sarauk2sf Posts: 28,072 Member
    basically eating a variety of foods, you can EASILY get complete proteins from complementary sources of plant proteins. "Complementary" meaning that the foods have the amino acids the other is lacking.

    Legumes and wheat is a classic example.

    ^^yep.

    It is a decent source of protein as long as you eat a variety of foods that make up for it lacking in sufficient lysine for it to be a complete protein (missing from most grains). Meat and fish have a lot of lysine as does soy, eggs, dairy, beans, lentils and quinoa.
  • climbing_trees
    climbing_trees Posts: 726 Member
    Seitan is a meat alternative made from gluten.
  • Moira945
    Moira945 Posts: 14 Member
    No, it is not a complete protein.

    This is a misleading response. The "complete protein" theory is the theory that people need proteins that contain ALL the essential amino acids in one meal to reap benefits. This theory died in the 1970s as doctors realized that as long as we get all the amino acids that we need, it doesn't matter if we eat them together, get them from one source, or get them from 50 sources.

    Gluten is a protein. It is not "like" a protein. It is one. It is made up of amino acids and our bodies process it by breaking down into those amino acids which are then used by the body. Because of this, it is counted as a protein when you are tracking these things. Gluten, however, is not a great source for essential amino acids based on its chemical make up. As a protein source, you are much better off eating meat, legumes, tofu, etc.

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