A patient who likes Mexican food asks the nurse how they can eat healthier proteins. Keeping the patient’s food preference in mind, which food would the nurse most likely suggest?

Choice A reason: MyPlate guidelines recommend protein foods occupy approximately one-quarter of the plate, providing 20-30 grams of protein per meal to support muscle repair, enzyme synthesis, and immune function. This proportion balances with vegetables, grains, and fruits, ensuring adequate amino acid intake without excessive nitrogen load on the kidneys, suitable for most adults’ nutritional needs.

Choice B reason: Allocating half the plate to protein foods exceeds MyPlate recommendations, which reserve half for vegetables and fruits. Such a high protein proportion (e.g., 50-60 grams per meal) could strain kidneys due to excess nitrogen excretion and disrupt dietary balance, reducing intake of fiber and micronutrients from other food groups.

Choice C reason: The “none” option is incorrect, as MyPlate explicitly includes a protein food group, recommending about one-quarter of the plate for proteins like lean meats, beans, or nuts. Excluding protein would lead to insufficient amino acid intake, impairing muscle maintenance, immune function, and overall metabolic health in a balanced diet.

Choice D reason: Three-quarters of the plate for protein is far beyond MyPlate guidelines, which allocate only one-quarter to protein foods. This excessive portion would provide excessive protein (e.g., 60-80 grams per meal), potentially leading to kidney stress from nitrogen waste and inadequate intake of carbohydrates and micronutrients from other food groups.

Choice A reason: Complex proteins is not a standard term in nutritional science. Proteins are classified as complete or incomplete based on essential amino acid profiles. Plant sources like grains and nuts lack one or more essential amino acids, making this an incorrect classification for such proteins.

Choice B reason: Incomplete proteins, such as those from grains, nuts, and most legumes, lack one or more essential amino acids required for human protein synthesis. Combining these with complementary plant sources (e.g., rice and beans) can form complete proteins, meeting dietary needs for growth and repair.

Choice C reason: Complete proteins contain all nine essential amino acids in adequate amounts, typically found in animal sources like meat or soy. Most plant sources, excluding soybeans, are incomplete, as they are deficient in certain amino acids, making this an incorrect choice.

Choice D reason: Simple proteins is a biochemical term referring to proteins composed solely of amino acids, not a nutritional classification. It does not describe the amino acid profile or dietary role of plant-based proteins, which are typically incomplete, making this an incorrect option.