Extra proteins are particularly important during times of growth in childhood or for pregnant women who are building the bodies of their new babies. Similarly, a woman who is breast-feeding her baby needs extra protein to make milk. After a serious illness a person must eat a high protein diet to regain the protein lost during fever. Similarly, a person who has been involved in a surgical operation or an accident resulting in multiple injuries needs extra protein to build scar tissue and bone during the convalescent period. Protein in Food Protein in Food.
Proteins are present in small quantities in nearly every type of food.
In Western society a majority of the protein intake comes from meat, fish, and dairy products. About 20 percent of the protein in the American diet comes from bread, and about 5 percent from potatoes. Even foods such as lettuce or mushrooms contain up to 2 percent protein. For example, lentils combined with rice have a well-balanced content of protein and carbohydrate, although the vitamin content is fairly low. A good diet should consist of around 12 percent protein.