16 Complete Protein Pairings with Chives

Summary:

  • Chive contains a moderate amount of protein - about 0.1 grams per tbsp.
  • However, chive provides only 8 of the 9 essential amino acids sufficiently - it is a little low on methionine.[1]
  • Chive pairs well with brazil nut, pili nut, chia seeds, sesame seeds or wild rice to create a complete protein profile. [2] More chive pairings and detailed analysis below.

A complete protein is a protein source that "contains adequate proportions of the nine essential amino acids" that our body can not produce on its own.

World Health Organization [2], National Academy Press [3]

We analyzed the amino acid composition of chives, and found both vegan and vegetarian pairings with chives that creates a complete protein profile. Read on to discover new combinations of foods to enjoy!

Details on how we calculate complete protein profiles.

image of chives source

Amount of Protein in Chives

A decent source of supplementary protein, a single tablespoon of chives contains 0.1 grams of protein, or about 0% of recommended daily values. [1]

To get the adequate amount of protein with chives alone, you will need 510 tablespoons of chives (1530 grams) for an average female, or 612 tablespoons of chives for males. [4] That's about 459 calories, and a lot of chive! Supplementing chive with food higher in protein is a good idea.

Full nutritional profile for chives
USDA Source: Chives, raw

Macronutrients in 1 tbsp (3g) of chives:

% of RDV Amount
Calories
0% 1 kCal
Carbohydrates
0% -
Total fat
0% 0 grams
Protein
0.2% 0.1 grams

Essential Amino Acids in Chives

Proportionally, chive does contain abundant amounts of 8 out of the nine essential amino acids. However, chive is a little short on methionine.[1]

To have adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids with chive alone, you will have to eat 796 tablespoons of chives (2389 grams) for an average person. [2]

That's about 56% more chive to compensate for the lack of methionine, compared to the protein requirement alone.

The amount of each essential amino acid in 1 tbsp (3g) of chives:

Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [1] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
0.2% 0.098g
Histidine
0.3% 0.002g
Isoleucine
0.5% 0.004g
Leucine
0.3% 0.006g
Lysine
0.3% 0.005g
Methionine
0.1% 0.001g
Phenylalanine
0.2% 0.003g
Threonine
0.4% 0.004g
Tryptophan
0.4% 0.001g
Valine
0.4% 0.004g

More Complete Protein with Chives

Top vegan pairings with chives include:
  1. Brazil Nut
  2. Pili Nut
  3. Chia Seeds
  4. Sesame Seeds
  5. Wild Rice
  6. Hemp Seeds
  7. Poppy Seeds
  8. Hedge Mustard Seeds
  9. Nori
  10. Chestnut
  11. Pumpkin Seeds
  12. Quinoa
Although dairy and eggs are generally considered complete proteins, some types of vegetarian food pair more efficiently with chives. These include:
  1. Mayonnaise
  2. Sour Cream
  3. Caramel
  4. Egg

Vegan 1. Brazil Nut and Chives


image of brazil nut
image of chives

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, brazil nut is high in methionine, which is complementary to chive.

A ratio of 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 1 ml of brazil nut (1g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.02 to 1:0 for chive to brazil nut by weight.

Full nutritional profile for brazil nut
USDA Source: Nuts, brazilnuts, dried, unblanched

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 1 ml brazil nut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [5] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.1% 1.1g
Histidine
3.1% 0.02g
Isoleucine
5.2% 0.04g
Leucine
3.4% 0.07g
Lysine
3% 0.05g
Methionine
2% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
2.4% 0.04g
Threonine
4.5% 0.04g
Tryptophan
4.6% 0.01g
Valine
4.4% 0.05g

Vegan 2. Pili Nut and Chives


image of pili nut
image of chives

Pili nut is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of chive.

For example, 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 0.9 teaspoon of pili nut (2g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.07 to 1:0 for chive to pili nut by weight.

Full nutritional profile for pili nut
USDA Source: Nuts, pilinuts, dried

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 0.9 tsp pili nut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [6] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.4% 1.2g
Histidine
3.6% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6.1% 0.05g
Leucine
4.1% 0.08g
Lysine
3.3% 0.06g
Methionine
2.3% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
2.9% 0.04g
Threonine
5.3% 0.05g
Tryptophan
5.9% 0.02g
Valine
5.5% 0.06g

Vegan 3. Chia Seeds and Chives


image of chia seeds
image of chives

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, chia seed is high in methionine, which is complementary to chive.

A ratio of 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 0.1 ounce of chia seeds (2g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.05 to 1:5 for chive to chia seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for chia seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, chia seeds, dried

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 0.1 oz chia seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [7] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.5% 1.2g
Histidine
4% 0.03g
Isoleucine
6.3% 0.05g
Leucine
4.2% 0.08g
Lysine
3.7% 0.06g
Methionine
2.3% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.2% 0.05g
Threonine
5.5% 0.05g
Tryptophan
6.8% 0.02g
Valine
5.4% 0.06g

Vegan 4. Sesame Seeds and Chives


image of sesame seeds
image of chives

Sesame seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of chive.

For example, 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 0.5 teaspoon of sesame seeds (2g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.06 to 1:0 for chive to sesame seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for sesame seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sesame seeds, whole, roasted and toasted

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 0.5 tsp sesame seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [8] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.5% 1.3g
Histidine
4.1% 0.03g
Isoleucine
6.3% 0.05g
Leucine
4.3% 0.08g
Lysine
3.4% 0.06g
Methionine
2.4% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.1% 0.05g
Threonine
5.6% 0.05g
Tryptophan
6.7% 0.02g
Valine
5.5% 0.06g

Vegan 5. Wild Rice and Chives


image of wild rice
image of chives

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, wild rice is high in methionine, which is complementary to chive.

A ratio of 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 0.9 tablespoon of wild rice (9g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.3 to 1:0 for chive to wild rice by weight.

Full nutritional profile for wild rice
USDA Source: Wild rice, cooked

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 0.9 tbsp wild rice :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [9] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.7% 1.3g
Histidine
4.2% 0.03g
Isoleucine
6.6% 0.06g
Leucine
4.4% 0.08g
Lysine
3.8% 0.06g
Methionine
2.5% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.3% 0.05g
Threonine
5.5% 0.05g
Tryptophan
6% 0.02g
Valine
6% 0.06g

Vegan 6. Hemp Seeds and Chives


image of hemp seeds
image of chives

Hemp seed is a great source of protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of chive.

For example, 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 0.3 teaspoon of hemp seeds (1g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.04 to 1:0 for chive to hemp seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for hemp seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, hemp seed, hulled

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 0.3 tsp hemp seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [10] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.7% 1.3g
Histidine
4.5% 0.03g
Isoleucine
6.6% 0.06g
Leucine
4.4% 0.08g
Lysine
3.7% 0.06g
Methionine
2.5% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.2% 0.05g
Threonine
5.9% 0.05g
Tryptophan
5.9% 0.02g
Valine
5.9% 0.06g

Vegan 7. Poppy Seeds and Chives


image of poppy seeds
image of chives

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, poppy seed is high in methionine, which is complementary to chive.

A ratio of 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 0.8 teaspoon of poppy seeds (2g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.08 to 1:8 for chive to poppy seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for poppy seeds
USDA Source: Spices, poppy seed

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 0.8 tsp poppy seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [11] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.8% 1.4g
Histidine
4.4% 0.03g
Isoleucine
7% 0.06g
Leucine
4.7% 0.09g
Lysine
4.1% 0.07g
Methionine
2.6% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.3% 0.05g
Threonine
6% 0.05g
Tryptophan
5.9% 0.02g
Valine
6.4% 0.07g

Vegan 8. Hedge Mustard Seeds and Chives


image of hedge mustard seeds
image of chives

Hedge mustard seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of chive.

For example, 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 0.9 tablespoon of hedge mustard seeds (4g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.14 to 1:14 for chive to hedge mustard seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for hedge mustard seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, sisymbrium sp. seeds, whole, dried

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 0.9 tbsp hedge mustard seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [12] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
3% 1.5g
Histidine
4.9% 0.03g
Isoleucine
8.1% 0.07g
Leucine
5.9% 0.11g
Lysine
4.9% 0.08g
Methionine
2.8% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.8% 0.06g
Threonine
7.5% 0.07g
Tryptophan
8.6% 0.02g
Valine
6.8% 0.07g

Vegan 9. Nori and Chives


image of nori
image of chives

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, nori is high in methionine, which is complementary to chive.

A ratio of 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 3.6 sheets of nori (9g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.32 to 1:0.01 for chive to nori by weight.

Full nutritional profile for nori
USDA Source: Seaweed, laver, raw

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 3.6 sheet nori :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [13] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
3.1% 1.5g
Histidine
4.8% 0.03g
Isoleucine
7.7% 0.07g
Leucine
5.6% 0.11g
Lysine
4.1% 0.07g
Methionine
2.9% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.8% 0.06g
Threonine
6.7% 0.06g
Tryptophan
5.8% 0.02g
Valine
7.5% 0.08g

Vegan 10. Chestnut and Chives


image of chestnut
image of chives

Chestnut is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of chive.

For example, 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 2.3 tablespoons of chestnut (20g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.7:1 of chestnut to chive will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for chestnut
USDA Source: Nuts, chestnuts, european, roasted

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 2.3 tbsp chestnut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [14] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
3.2% 1.6g
Histidine
5.5% 0.03g
Isoleucine
7.8% 0.07g
Leucine
5.1% 0.1g
Lysine
5.1% 0.09g
Methionine
3% 0.03g
Phenylalanine
3.9% 0.06g
Threonine
6.8% 0.06g
Tryptophan
7% 0.02g
Valine
7.4% 0.08g

Vegan 11. Pumpkin Seeds and Chives


image of pumpkin seeds
image of chives

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, pumpkin seed is high in methionine, which is complementary to chive.

A ratio of 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 1 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds (4g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.14 to 1:14 for chive to pumpkin seed by weight.

Full nutritional profile for pumpkin seeds
USDA Source: Seeds, pumpkin and squash seeds, whole, roasted, without salt

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [15] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
3.5% 1.7g
Histidine
6.1% 0.04g
Isoleucine
9.4% 0.08g
Leucine
6.5% 0.12g
Lysine
6.2% 0.11g
Methionine
3.2% 0.03g
Phenylalanine
4.7% 0.07g
Threonine
7.4% 0.07g
Tryptophan
9.4% 0.02g
Valine
9.7% 0.1g

Vegan 12. Quinoa and Chives


image of quinoa
image of chives

Quinoa is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of chive.

For example, 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 1.7 tablespoons of quinoa (19g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.6:1 of quinoa to chive will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for quinoa
USDA Source: Quinoa, cooked

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 1.7 tbsp quinoa :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [16] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
3.7% 1.8g
Histidine
6.6% 0.04g
Isoleucine
8.4% 0.07g
Leucine
5.8% 0.11g
Lysine
5.6% 0.1g
Methionine
3.4% 0.03g
Phenylalanine
4.5% 0.07g
Threonine
7.1% 0.06g
Tryptophan
8.1% 0.02g
Valine
7.3% 0.08g

Vegetarian 13. Mayonnaise and Chives


image of mayonnaise
image of chives

Low in protein, mayonnaise is high in methionine, which is complementary to chive.

A ratio of 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 1.8 tablespoons of mayonnaise (25g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.8:1 of mayonnaise to chive will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for mayonnaise
USDA Source: Salad dressing, mayonnaise, regular

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 1.8 tbsp mayonnaise :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [17] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.4% 1.2g
Histidine
3.8% 0.02g
Isoleucine
6.7% 0.06g
Leucine
4.4% 0.08g
Lysine
3.9% 0.07g
Methionine
2.3% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.1% 0.05g
Threonine
5.8% 0.05g
Tryptophan
5.9% 0.02g
Valine
5.7% 0.06g

Vegetarian 14. Sour Cream and Chives


image of sour cream
image of chives

Sour cream is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of chive.

For example, 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 1.1 tablespoons of sour cream (13g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.42 to 1:42 for chive to sour cream by weight.

Full nutritional profile for sour cream
USDA Source: Cream, sour, cultured

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 1.1 tbsp sour cream :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [18] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.6% 1.3g
Histidine
4.6% 0.03g
Isoleucine
7.2% 0.06g
Leucine
5.3% 0.1g
Lysine
4.9% 0.08g
Methionine
2.4% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
6.3% 0.06g
Tryptophan
6.3% 0.02g
Valine
6.3% 0.07g

Vegetarian 15. Caramel and Chives


image of caramel
image of chives

Low in protein, caramel is high in methionine, which is complementary to chive.

A ratio of 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 1.4 tablespoons of caramel (28g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.9 to 1:0 for chive to caramel by weight.

Full nutritional profile for caramel
USDA Source: Toppings, butterscotch or caramel

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 1.4 tbsp caramel :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [19] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.6% 1.3g
Histidine
4.5% 0.03g
Isoleucine
7.7% 0.07g
Leucine
5.2% 0.1g
Lysine
4.8% 0.08g
Methionine
2.5% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
6.3% 0.06g
Tryptophan
4.3% 0.01g
Valine
6.6% 0.07g

Vegetarian 16. Egg and Chives


image of egg
image of chives

Egg is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in methionine, complementing the profile of chive.

For example, 10 tablespoons of chives (30g) and 0.1 egg (3g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.09 to 1:9 for chive to egg by weight.

Full nutritional profile for egg
USDA Source: Egg, whole, raw, fresh

Table of amino acids of 10 tbsp chives and 0.1 large egg :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [20] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
2.7% 1.3g
Histidine
4.1% 0.03g
Isoleucine
7% 0.06g
Leucine
4.7% 0.09g
Lysine
4.3% 0.07g
Methionine
2.5% 0.02g
Phenylalanine
3.4% 0.05g
Threonine
6% 0.05g
Tryptophan
6% 0.02g
Valine
6.2% 0.07g


Complete Protein Pairings

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