A vegetarian eats rice for lunch and beans for dinner. Which analysis best evaluates whether this pattern provides adequate essential amino acids?

• A. Inadequate — complementary proteins must be eaten simultaneously at the same meal to be effective
• B. Inadequate — grains and legumes never complement each other because they both lack the same essential amino acids
• C. Adequate — rice and beans are complementary; consuming them at different meals across the same day typically supplies complementary essential amino acids to meet needs
• D. Adequate only if the same quantities are consumed at each meal every single day without variation

Answer: (C)