10 grams of protein? 15 grams?

Most people glance at the nutrition label and focus on those numbers. But what if that number didn’t actually tell you anything important?
When it comes to protein, it’s not just about how much there is — it’s about how good that protein is for your body.

Aristotle taught us over two thousand years ago: virtue doesn’t lie in excess, but in balance and quality. And the same principle applies here.
Understanding what makes a protein "good" is key to developing foods that not only nourish, but perform, delight, and succeed in the real world.

At the end of the day, it’s not just about adding up grams — it’s about building smarter solutions that genuinely make a difference.

In a world where plant-based foods, sustainability, and nutritional performance are increasingly in focus, knowing the quality of the protein becomes just as important as knowing its quantity. Here’s why.

What the Nutrition Label Tells You... and What It Doesn’t

When we read a nutrition label, we see the grams of protein as an absolute number.
But that number doesn't tell you if the protein comes from a complete or incomplete source, how many essential amino acids it contains, or how much of that protein your body can actually absorb and use.

In other words: not all proteins are the same — even if they look identical on the label.

So, What Is Protein Quality?

Protein quality refers to how effectively a protein source meets the body's nutritional needs.
It mainly depends on two factors:

• Amino Acid Profile: how many and which essential amino acids it provides.
  
• Digestibility: how easily the body can break it down, absorb it, and use it.
  

A protein is considered high-quality when it offers a full profile of the nine essential amino acids and is efficiently digested and absorbed.

One of the most widely accepted industry metrics for measuring this is PDCAAS (Protein Digestibility-Corrected Amino Acid Score), which evaluates both amino acid composition and digestibility.

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The score ranges from 0 to 1, with 1 being the ideal value (like egg or milk casein).
Many plant proteins have lower scores, but they can be optimized.

Essential Amino Acids: What Are They and Why Do They Matter?

Amino acids are the building blocks (monomers) that form proteins. Out of the 20 amino acids the human body uses, nine are essential — meaning the body cannot synthesize them and they must come from the diet.
These are: histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine, methionine, phenylalanine, threonine, tryptophan, and valine (Fig. 1).

‍So, Is Animal Protein Better?

Not necessarily. Plant proteins can match — or even exceed — animal proteins when combined thoughtfully.
For example:

• Legumes + cereals = complete profile
• Soy, chickpeas, amaranth, and quinoa = naturally complete or nearly complete

And from an environmental perspective, plant proteins are often far more sustainable.
The real challenge lies in crafting products that balance taste, texture, and a strong functional and nutritional protein composition.

‍What If AI Could Solve This?

At NotCo, we leverage Giuseppe — our proprietary artificial intelligence platform — to tackle exactly these types of challenges.
Giuseppe  AI, was designed specifically to predict, calculate, and enhance the PDCAAS of any plant-based ingredient combination.

Thanks to this tool, we can develop formulations that:

• Maximize protein quality by optimizing amino acid profiles
  
• Improve digestibility
  
• Achieve PDCAAS values comparable to or higher than many animal proteins
  
• Maintain the desired taste, texture, and stability in the final product

The result: fewer ingredients, fewer physical tests, better functionality, and superior nutrition — all validated under industrial conditions.

How Much Protein and Essential Amino Acids Do We Need?

As a general guideline, the average adult should aim for about 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight per day,
which translates to about 56 grams daily for a 70 kg person.
It’s also critical to ensure the intake of the nine essential amino acids in specific amounts: Histidine: 10 mg/kg/day; Isoleucine: 20 mg/kg/day; Leucine: 39 mg/kg/day; Lysine: 30 mg/kg/day; Methionine + Cysteine: 15 mg/kg/day; Phenylalanine + Tyrosine: 25 mg/kg/day; Threonine: 15 mg/kg/day; Tryptophan: 4 mg/kg/day; and Valine: 26 mg/kg/day.

These figures are approximate: factors such as age, physical activity, and health status can affect individual needs.
That’s why we always recommend consulting a nutritionist or healthcare professional to tailor a plan that ensures an optimal balance between protein quantity, quality, and functionality.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a High-Protein Product?

• Look beyond the grams: focus on the source and quality of the protein.
  
• Check for a strong amino acid profile — or smart combinations that achieve it.
  
• Seek advice to identify whether the protein source is complete and well-digested.
  
• Consider the bigger picture: your personal goals (sports, health, plant-based diet), sustainability, and possible allergies.

Bottom Line: Quality Over Quantity

It’s not just about “more protein” — it’s about better protein.
Today, thanks to Giuseppe, it’s possible to develop plant-based foods with nutritional quality comparable to — or even exceeding — many animal sources.

At NotCo, we believe the future isn’t about eating bigger portions. It’s about better understanding what each portion actually delivers.

Fewer grams. Better profiles. More impact on health. Less impact on the environment.

We’re not just rethinking protein, we’re redesigning it intelligently. The NotProtein Bar is the result of AI-driven formulation, carefully balancing the amount and quality of protein by combining complementary plant-based sources. Every ingredient was selected to deliver not only a high protein content, but also a complete profile of essential amino acids. The result? A smarter bar where every bite gives you both quantity and quality, because performance starts with better building blocks.

Wanna know how we can help optimize your nutritional profiles?
‍Let’s talk