Some years ago, I read an article about the Mayan people.

Apparently, their diet consisted mainly of corn and beans.

The article went on to say that this was "the perfect nutritional
mix".

The beans supplied protein, and the corn supplied ????

Further, theri civilation started to slide when local land
wouldn't support corn, reducing an essential part of their nutrition.

I don't remember much more, but I'm intrigued with the idea of
"the perfect nutritional food mix".

Could anyone elaborate on this corn/bean mix ?


<rj>

"<RJ>" > wrote in message
...
>
> Some years ago, I read an article about the Mayan people.
>
> Apparently, their diet consisted mainly of corn and beans.
>
> The article went on to say that this was "the perfect nutritional
> mix".
>
> The beans supplied protein, and the corn supplied ????

The rest of the amino acids required to make a complete protein? And more
carbs.

Gabby

On Wed, 15 Oct 2003 09:51:38 -0400, "<RJ>" >
wrote:

>
>Some years ago, I read an article about the Mayan people.
>Apparently, their diet consisted mainly of corn and beans.
>The article went on to say that this was "the perfect nutritional
>mix".
>
>The beans supplied protein, and the corn supplied ????
>
>Further, theri civilation started to slide when local land
>wouldn't support corn, reducing an essential part of their nutrition.
>
>I don't remember much more, but I'm intrigued with the idea of
>"the perfect nutritional food mix".
>
>Could anyone elaborate on this corn/bean mix ?

Plant proteins are, for the most part, "incomplete." That is, they
lack 1 or more of the essential (ones than can't be manufactured in
the body) amino acids. Combinations of plant foods -- corn & beans,
beans & rice, peas & rice -- together supply these essential
substances. The Mayan's beans did *not* supply complete protein, but
with the addition of corn, were adequate. Animal foods -- meat, fish,
poultry, eggs and dairy come with complete protein.

So, beans supplied *some* essentials, and corn, some others. Neither,
by itself, is adequate.

In article >, "<RJ>"
> writes:

>I read an article about the Mayan people.
>
>Apparently, their diet consisted mainly of corn and beans.
>
>The article went on to say that this was "the perfect nutritional
>mix".
>
>The beans supplied protein, and the corn supplied ????
>
>Further, theri civilation started to slide when local land
>wouldn't support corn, reducing an essential part of their nutrition.
>
>I don't remember much more, but I'm intrigued with the idea of
>"the perfect nutritional food mix".
>
>Could anyone elaborate on this corn/bean mix ?

The Mayans ate lots of meat, most any creature that roamed the rain forest was
fair game, including their neighbors.


---= BOYCOTT FRENCH--GERMAN (belgium) =---
---= Move UNITED NATIONS To Paris =---
Sheldon
````````````
"Life would be devoid of all meaning were it without tribulation."

Corn and beans together make a "perfect" protein.....Linda