Plant proteins: do you need to combine foods at every meal?

Nine amino acids are essential: the body cannot make enough of them and must obtain them from food.[1][6] Cereals are often lower in lysine, while legumes are generally more limited in methionine and cysteine.[3][4]

No, not necessarily. Essential amino acids do not need to be consumed at every meal: the balance across the whole day matters more.[1][2] A varied diet can therefore alternate lentils, beans, chickpeas, tofu, soy, cereals, nuts and seeds.

• Vary food families over the day rather than calculating every pairing.
• Add an identifiable protein source to main meals.
• Use cereal-legume pairings when they are practical and enjoyable.
• Consider total energy and dietary variety, not one food in isolation.