Complementary proteins are foods that provide proteins that when eaten together supply all of the essential amino acids in proportions required to meet the demands for normal growth and development. Historically, protein complementation, the process of combining complementary proteins within a meal, was considered important for normal protein nutriture of vegetarians; however, most nutritionists now consider this process outdated and unnecessary as long as the individual is consuming a varied diet providing adequate total protein.
A set of proteins that can be merged together to address the insufficient amount of important amino acids found in each individual protein.