Proteins that contain all the essential amino acids are referred to as what?

Proteins that contain all the essential amino acids are referred to as complete proteins. This means that they provide the body with the necessary building blocks that it cannot produce on its own and must obtain from dietary sources. Complete proteins are typically found in animal-based foods such as meat, fish, eggs, and dairy products, as well as some plant sources like quinoa and soy.

Incomplete proteins, on the other hand, lack one or more of the essential amino acids and are generally found in plant-based foods such as beans, lentils, and nuts. Complementary proteins involve combining two or more incomplete protein sources to provide all essential amino acids, such as pairing rice with beans. Animal proteins usually fall under the category of complete proteins because they tend to provide all the essential amino acids, but not all animal proteins are labeled as such. Therefore, the term that specifically identifies proteins with all essential amino acids is complete proteins.