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Nutrition & Active Living

Protein: What It Does and Who Needs More

What protein does in the body, how needs change and which foods provide it.

Educational guide · Reviewed 26 July 2026
30-second answer

What is protein and why does the body need it?

Protein supplies amino acids — the building blocks the body uses to maintain and repair muscle, skin, organs and other tissues.

Visual summary
Amino acidsProtein

Amino acids proteins body tissue

Why it matters

What it does for the body.

Maintains muscle

Protein contributes to the maintenance and growth of muscle mass.

Builds body tissue

The body uses amino acids to renew cells and make enzymes and many hormones.

Supports bones

Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones as part of a varied diet.

Makes meals satisfying

Protein-rich foods can help create a more substantial meal.

When to pay particular attention

Needs are not identical.

Age, life stage, activity and the rest of the diet can change what deserves attention.

  • People who train regularly
  • Older adults protecting muscle mass
  • Children and teenagers as they grow
  • Pregnancy and breastfeeding, when requirements increase
Where is it found?

Food first.

Fish, seafood, eggs, dairy, meat, beans, lentils, soy, nuts and seeds all provide protein. Fish provides complete protein containing all nine essential amino acids.

How do we measure it?

One value. Three useful views.

100 g

Per 100 g

A standard basis for comparing different foods and pack sizes.

01

Per serving

The quantity associated with a stated serving. Serving sizes can differ.

Σ

Per package

The calculated total when the entire package is the relevant amount.

How do we know?

We show where every number comes from.

Diplomats Product Nutrition

The value belongs to the exact product, recipe and measurement basis shown. We present it as the product’s number.

Reference Nutrition Data

A scientific food database provides a range for a comparable fish. We mark it with an asterisk and never present it as a laboratory result for the product.

Nutrition Knowledge

Primary health and food-science sources explain what a nutrient does, who should pay attention and how the number is used.

What appears on the page?

We show a product value when it belongs to that product. When only a useful scientific range exists, we label it as reference data. When no reliable number exists, we leave the value out.

Common Questions

What is protein and why does the body need it?

Protein supplies amino acids — the building blocks the body uses to maintain and repair muscle, skin, organs and other tissues.

Why does protein: what it does and who needs more matter?

Maintains muscle: Protein contributes to the maintenance and growth of muscle mass. Builds body tissue: The body uses amino acids to renew cells and make enzymes and many hormones. Supports bones: Protein contributes to the maintenance of normal bones as part of a varied diet. Makes meals satisfying: Protein-rich foods can help create a more substantial meal.

Can a value be assumed from the fish species?

No. Diplomats separates general food education from facts verified for a particular recipe, serving and product.

What does “per 100 g” mean?

It is a standard comparison basis. It lets visitors compare products of different pack and serving sizes using the same amount of food.

How are products recommended?

The Product Finder combines product nutrition, flavour, format and the preferences you select to find the closest match.

Is protein only important for athletes?

No. Everyone needs protein to maintain and renew body tissue. Training can increase attention to protein, but growth, ageing, pregnancy and recovery matter too.

How is protein measured in food?

Laboratories usually determine nitrogen and convert it into an estimate of protein using an established factor. Labels present the result in grams per 100 g.

How much protein does fish contain?

The amount depends on the species, recipe and product. Use the product value rather than one number for every type of fish.

Further reading

Primary health and food-safety sources used to review this guide.

EFSA · Dietary reference values for proteinEFSA · Dietary reference values
Comparison

Apply the knowledge.

Compare product nutrition on the same per 100 g basis and choose what suits your meal.

Compare product nutrition
Recipes

Put it on the table.

Explore serving ideas and practical meal contexts connected to Diplomats products.

Explore recipes
Related Products

See the knowledge in practice.

Engure Smoked Sprats in Oil 100g
Engure Smoked Sprats in Oil 100g17.04 g protein / 100 g
Fried Brisling Sardines in Oil with Pink Peppers 100g
Fried Brisling Sardines in Oil with Pink Peppers 100g15.5 g protein / 100 g
Smoked Sprats in Oil 100g
Smoked Sprats in Oil15 g protein / 100 g

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