16 Complete Protein Pairings with Tumeric

Summary:

  • Tumeric is low in protein - about 0.3 grams per tsp.
  • In addition, tumeric provides only 7 of the 9 essential amino acids sufficiently - it is a little low on lysine and methionine.[1]
  • Tumeric pairs well with carrots, crimini mushroom, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds or hedge mustard seeds to create a complete protein profile. [2] More tumeric 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 tumeric, and found both vegan and vegetarian pairings with tumeric 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 tumeric source

Amount of Protein in Tumeric

Relatively low in protein, a single teaspoon of tumeric contains 0.3 grams of protein, or about 1% of recommended daily values. [1]

To get the adequate amount of protein with tumeric alone, you will need 172 teaspoons of tumeric (520 grams) for an average female, or 207 teaspoons of tumeric for males. [4] That's over 1610 calories. Pairing tumeric with a richer protein source is a good idea.

Full nutritional profile for tumeric
USDA Source: Spices, turmeric, ground

Macronutrients in 1 tsp (3g) of tumeric:

% of RDV Amount
Calories
0.5% 9 kCal
Carbohydrates
0% -
Total fat
0.2% 0.1 grams
Protein
0.6% 0.3 grams

Essential Amino Acids in Tumeric

Proportionally, tumeric does contain abundant amounts of 7 out of the nine essential amino acids. However, tumeric is a little short on lysine and methionine.[1]

To have adequate amounts of all nine essential amino acids with tumeric alone, you will have to eat 205 teaspoons of tumeric (614 grams) for an average person. [2]

That's about 18% more tumeric to compensate for the lack of lysine and methionine, compared to the protein requirement alone.

The amount of each essential amino acid in 1 tsp (3g) of tumeric:

Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [1] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
0.6% 0.29g
Histidine
0.7% 0.005g
Isoleucine
1.6% 0.014g
Leucine
1.3% 0.024g
Lysine
0.7% 0.011g
Methionine
0.5% 0.004g
Phenylalanine
1.1% 0.016g
Threonine
1.1% 0.01g
Tryptophan
2% 0.005g
Valine
1.8% 0.02g

More Complete Protein with Tumeric

Top vegan pairings with tumeric include:
  1. Carrots
  2. Crimini Mushroom
  3. Pumpkin Seeds
  4. Chia Seeds
  5. Hedge Mustard Seeds
  6. Yellow Mustard
  7. Dijon Mustard
  8. Avocado
  9. Wheat Germ
  10. Chestnut
  11. Lotus Seeds
Although dairy and eggs are generally considered complete proteins, some types of vegetarian food pair more efficiently with tumeric. These include:
  1. Sour Cream
  2. Caramel
  3. Yogurt
  4. Mayonnaise

Vegan 1. Carrots and Tumeric


image of carrots
image of tumeric

Low in protein, carrot is high in lysine and methionine, which is complementary to tumeric.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 1.2 carrots (88g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 2.9:1 of carrot to tumeric will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for carrots
USDA Source: Carrots, raw

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 1.2 large carrots :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [5] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
7.4% 3.7g
Histidine
12.7% 0.08g
Isoleucine
24.3% 0.21g
Leucine
17.6% 0.33g
Lysine
11.9% 0.2g
Methionine
6.9% 0.06g
Phenylalanine
14.3% 0.21g
Threonine
29.7% 0.27g
Tryptophan
23.7% 0.06g
Valine
24% 0.26g

Vegan 2. Crimini Mushroom and Tumeric


image of crimini mushroom
image of tumeric

Crimini mushroom is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine and methionine, complementing the profile of tumeric.

For example, 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.6 cup of crimini mushroom (56g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 1.9:1 of crimini mushroom to tumeric will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for crimini mushroom
USDA Source: Mushrooms, brown, italian, or crimini, raw

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 0.6 cup crimini mushroom :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [6] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
8.6% 4.3g
Histidine
13.1% 0.08g
Isoleucine
22.9% 0.2g
Leucine
17.4% 0.33g
Lysine
15% 0.26g
Methionine
8% 0.07g
Phenylalanine
14.3% 0.21g
Threonine
18.1% 0.16g
Tryptophan
31.8% 0.08g
Valine
24.3% 0.26g

Vegan 3. Pumpkin Seeds and Tumeric


image of pumpkin seeds
image of tumeric

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

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.9 tablespoon of pumpkin seeds (4g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.12 to 1:12 for tumeric 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 tsp tumeric and 0.9 tbsp pumpkin seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [7] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
7.2% 3.6g
Histidine
10.2% 0.06g
Isoleucine
20.5% 0.18g
Leucine
16% 0.3g
Lysine
9.7% 0.17g
Methionine
6.7% 0.06g
Phenylalanine
13% 0.19g
Threonine
13.8% 0.12g
Tryptophan
24.3% 0.06g
Valine
23.5% 0.25g

Vegan 4. Chia Seeds and Tumeric


image of chia seeds
image of tumeric

Chia seed is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine and methionine, complementing the profile of tumeric.

For example, 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.3 ounce of chia seeds (7g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.25 to 1:25 for tumeric to chia seed by weight.

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

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 0.3 oz chia seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [8] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
8.3% 4.1g
Histidine
13.5% 0.08g
Isoleucine
23.4% 0.2g
Leucine
18.3% 0.35g
Lysine
10.9% 0.19g
Methionine
10% 0.09g
Phenylalanine
15.8% 0.24g
Threonine
16.9% 0.15g
Tryptophan
32.2% 0.08g
Valine
24.9% 0.27g

Vegan 5. Hedge Mustard Seeds and Tumeric


image of hedge mustard seeds
image of tumeric

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, hedge mustard seed is high in lysine and methionine, which is complementary to tumeric.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 1.4 tablespoons of hedge mustard seeds (6g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.22 to 1:22 for tumeric 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 tsp tumeric and 1.4 tbsp hedge mustard seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [9] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
7.4% 3.7g
Histidine
10.5% 0.07g
Isoleucine
21.3% 0.18g
Leucine
17.1% 0.32g
Lysine
9.7% 0.17g
Methionine
7.2% 0.06g
Phenylalanine
13.2% 0.2g
Threonine
16% 0.14g
Tryptophan
26.2% 0.07g
Valine
22.6% 0.24g

Vegan 6. Yellow Mustard and Tumeric


image of yellow mustard
image of tumeric

Yellow mustard is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine and methionine, complementing the profile of tumeric.

For example, 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 1.9 tablespoons of yellow mustard (28g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.9 to 1:0.16 for tumeric to yellow mustard by weight.

Full nutritional profile for yellow mustard
USDA Source: Mustard, prepared, yellow

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 1.9 tbsp yellow mustard :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [10] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
7.9% 4g
Histidine
12.4% 0.08g
Isoleucine
21.2% 0.18g
Leucine
17.2% 0.32g
Lysine
11% 0.19g
Methionine
7.4% 0.06g
Phenylalanine
13.7% 0.2g
Threonine
16.2% 0.15g
Tryptophan
20.6% 0.05g
Valine
23.2% 0.25g

Vegan 7. Dijon Mustard and Tumeric


image of dijon mustard
image of tumeric

A great source of protein, dijon mustard is high in lysine and methionine, which is complementary to tumeric.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 1.2 tablespoons of dijon mustard (7g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.23 to 1:23 for tumeric to dijon mustard by weight.

Full nutritional profile for dijon mustard
USDA Source: Spices, mustard seed, ground

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 1.2 tbsp dijon mustard :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [11] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
9.4% 4.7g
Histidine
16.8% 0.11g
Isoleucine
25.9% 0.22g
Leucine
20.5% 0.39g
Lysine
14.1% 0.24g
Methionine
8.8% 0.08g
Phenylalanine
16.1% 0.24g
Threonine
17.4% 0.16g
Tryptophan
26.4% 0.07g
Valine
28% 0.3g

Vegan 8. Avocado and Tumeric


image of avocado
image of tumeric

Avocado is low in protein, and is high in lysine and methionine, complementing the profile of tumeric.

For example, 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.6 avocado (79g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 2.6:1 of avocado to tumeric will be complete.

Full nutritional profile for avocado
USDA Source: Avocados, raw, California

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 0.6 fruit avocado :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [12] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
8.9% 4.5g
Histidine
13.2% 0.08g
Isoleucine
24% 0.21g
Leucine
18.8% 0.35g
Lysine
12.6% 0.22g
Methionine
8.3% 0.07g
Phenylalanine
15.7% 0.23g
Threonine
17.3% 0.16g
Tryptophan
27.3% 0.07g
Valine
26% 0.28g

Vegan 9. Wheat Germ and Tumeric


image of wheat germ
image of tumeric

A great source of protein, wheat germ is high in lysine and methionine, which is complementary to tumeric.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.7 tablespoon of wheat germ (5g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.18 to 1:18 for tumeric to wheat germ by weight.

Full nutritional profile for wheat germ
USDA Source: Wheat germ, crude

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 0.7 tbsp wheat germ :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [13] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
8.2% 4.1g
Histidine
12.5% 0.08g
Isoleucine
21.6% 0.19g
Leucine
17.2% 0.33g
Lysine
11.2% 0.19g
Methionine
7.7% 0.07g
Phenylalanine
14% 0.21g
Threonine
16.7% 0.15g
Tryptophan
26% 0.07g
Valine
24.2% 0.26g

Vegan 10. Chestnut and Tumeric


image of chestnut
image of tumeric

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

For example, 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.3 cup of chestnut (37g) make a complete amino acids profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 1.2:1 of chestnut to tumeric will be complete.

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

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 0.3 cup chestnut :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [14] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
8.2% 4.1g
Histidine
12.3% 0.08g
Isoleucine
21.8% 0.19g
Leucine
16.6% 0.31g
Lysine
10.8% 0.18g
Methionine
8.1% 0.07g
Phenylalanine
14% 0.21g
Threonine
15.7% 0.14g
Tryptophan
24.6% 0.06g
Valine
24.5% 0.26g

Vegan 11. Lotus Seeds and Tumeric


image of lotus seeds
image of tumeric

A reasonable source of supplementary protein, lotus seed is high in lysine and methionine, which is complementary to tumeric.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.7 cup of lotus seeds (23g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 0.8:1 of lotus seed to tumeric will be complete.

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

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 0.7 cup lotus seeds :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [15] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
12.7% 6.4g
Histidine
22.5% 0.14g
Isoleucine
36.4% 0.31g
Leucine
27.3% 0.52g
Lysine
19.6% 0.34g
Methionine
11.9% 0.1g
Phenylalanine
22.3% 0.33g
Threonine
29.7% 0.27g
Tryptophan
38.7% 0.1g
Valine
39% 0.42g

Vegetarian 12. Sour Cream and Tumeric


image of sour cream
image of tumeric

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

For example, 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 1 tablespoon of sour cream (12g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.38 to 1:38 for tumeric to sour cream by weight.

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

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 1 tbsp sour cream :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [16] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
6.4% 3.2g
Histidine
8.8% 0.06g
Isoleucine
18.6% 0.16g
Leucine
14.8% 0.28g
Lysine
8.5% 0.15g
Methionine
5.9% 0.05g
Phenylalanine
11.9% 0.18g
Threonine
12.8% 0.12g
Tryptophan
21.5% 0.06g
Valine
20.4% 0.22g

Vegetarian 13. Caramel and Tumeric


image of caramel
image of tumeric

Low in protein, caramel is high in lysine and methionine, which is complementary to tumeric.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 1.3 tablespoons of caramel (27g) creates a complete protein profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.9 to 1:0.01 for tumeric to caramel by weight.

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

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 1.3 tbsp caramel :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [17] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
6.5% 3.2g
Histidine
8.9% 0.06g
Isoleucine
19.2% 0.16g
Leucine
14.9% 0.28g
Lysine
8.5% 0.15g
Methionine
6% 0.05g
Phenylalanine
12% 0.18g
Threonine
13% 0.12g
Tryptophan
19.6% 0.05g
Valine
20.8% 0.22g

Vegetarian 14. Yogurt and Tumeric


image of yogurt
image of tumeric

Yogurt is a reasonable source of supplementary protein, and is high in lysine and methionine, complementing the profile of tumeric.

For example, 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.7 tablespoon of yogurt (11g) make a complete amino acids profile. The entire range to create a complete protein are ratios of 1:0.36 to 1:0.07 for tumeric to yogurt by weight.

Full nutritional profile for yogurt
USDA Source: Yogurt, plain, whole milk

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 0.7 tbsp yogurt :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [18] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
6.6% 3.3g
Histidine
8.6% 0.05g
Isoleucine
18.8% 0.16g
Leucine
14.9% 0.28g
Lysine
8.6% 0.15g
Methionine
6.2% 0.05g
Phenylalanine
12.1% 0.18g
Threonine
12.7% 0.11g
Tryptophan
20.5% 0.05g
Valine
21.2% 0.23g

Vegetarian 15. Mayonnaise and Tumeric


image of mayonnaise
image of tumeric

Low in protein, mayonnaise is high in lysine and methionine, which is complementary to tumeric.

A ratio of 10 teaspoons of tumeric (30g) and 0.3 cup of mayonnaise (58g) creates a complete protein profile. In fact, any ratio of more than 1.9:1 of mayonnaise to tumeric will be complete.

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

Table of amino acids of 10 tsp tumeric and 0.3 cup mayonnaise :
Amino Acid % of RDV [2] Amount [19] Complete /
Adequate
Protein
6.9% 3.5g
Histidine
9.6% 0.06g
Isoleucine
20.8% 0.18g
Leucine
15.8% 0.3g
Lysine
9.1% 0.16g
Methionine
7.3% 0.06g
Phenylalanine
12.9% 0.19g
Threonine
14.6% 0.13g
Tryptophan
23.4% 0.06g
Valine
22.3% 0.24g


Complete Protein Pairings

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