What foods provide mineral zinc?
Animal proteins contain most of the zinc a human body needs. Oysters contain the most zinc of any food source. Red meat and poultry are a second source of zinc. Other zinc-containing foods include: • Nuts • Whole grain breads • Fortified breakfast cereals • Legumes The body absorbs zinc more easily from animal proteins than it does from vegetable proteins. Vegetarians face the added dilemma that some vegetable protein sources contain phytates which decrease the absorption of zinc. Therefore, vegetarians need to supplement their diets with extra zinc to get the correct daily supply.
