Is Soy Really Bad For You?

[x0jen0x]

Hi I'm new to the boards and became vegetarian about 6 months ago. It's been hard finding things I can eat because everyone else in my family is a meat eatter. I have been eatting some soy products like morning star and bocca but I heard that soy is really bad for you. Does anyone know if this is true and why it's bad for you? I've tried to do some research on it but it's all really confusing. Thanks!

[kpickell]

Nope, soy isn't as bad as the crazy fringe sites say it is. Safe, and a good source of protein.

And if you're a guy, it'll help you grow really big breasts. (Just kidding, that's another funny rumor you'll encounter on those fringe sites. [Sorry to disappoint any M2F transexuals in our midst].)

[Sevenseas]

Yes, it's the most horrible food there is. I'm actually writing this from beyond the grave because I've eaten soy.

No, at least I haven't noticed anything and I eat soy daily.

[sophia_cat]

You should only eat non-GMO soy. Boca and Morningstar are NOT healthy - full of salt and chemicals. I only eat them when I go to someone else's house and dont feel like hearing, "so, what are ou going to eat?" Its junk food, really.

There are tons of tofu recipes that taste best when homemeade. Try "Vegan with a Vengeance" - it has a tofu scramble recipe and others that kick ass.

There is ALWAYS a substitute/modification for meaty foods. It just involves dividing/cooking seperately and trying new things. I live with and cook for an omni - it CAN work and does.

Good luck!!!

[Rotting]

Yes, it's the most horrible food there is. I'm actually writing this from beyond the grave because I've eaten soy.

No, at least I haven't noticed anything and I eat soy daily.

Well, look what soy did to your teeth! :bobo:

[Tweety]

Soy is very controversal.

What is interesting is the claim "you don't hear very much bad about soy" because of clever marketing, etc. However, the same can be said about the dairy industry which has virtually all MDs and health care interests convinced children have to have milk in order to grow strong teeth and bones and prevent osteopororis, when in fact the high protein in milk tends to negate those effects. Which is why Americans are one of the top 4 dairy eaters in the world and are among the top 4 highest rates of osteoporosis.

It's also amusing that study after study after study confirms the saturated fat in dairy and meat kills. So much so we are immune to that fact. Yet one study comes out with negative implications about soy and people are all over it.

There may indeed be concerns about soy, and some of it's health claims may not be true, such as lowering cholesterol. However, some of the negative studies haven't been replicated either. It's just not good science to go around publishing a few studies and negate the hundreds of studies that show soy to be healthful or at the very least not harmful.

However, their are studies that have been replicated that soy may exacerbate thyriod conditions in those with known problems. So those with thyroid problems should probably avoid large amounts of soy. However it does not cause thyroid problems. only exacerbates existing problems, which could be unfortunate if someone doesn't know they have thyroid problems.

I'm still going to look to the Asians, particularly the Japanese, and particularly the Okinawans in Japan, who eat an soy daily and enjoy the longest lifespan on Earth. They enjoy low rates of certain cancers like breast and prostate. Their menopause is so mild there is no Japanese word equivalent to "hot flashes" as they don't get them.

While the verdict may be out, while they may be concerns, I think soy is a superfood. Not vital to survival because really nothing is. However, for this vegetarian, I there is no way I would be vegetarian without soy.

[Bonoluvr]

Sophia Cat.........what alternatives to the boca and morningstar products are out there? i use a lot of the "crumbles" to make meatless meals that omni hubby would like........what can i use in its place ( no tofu, no one will eat it here).......are those bulk TVP granules better to use?

[codemonkey]

So a bit of experimentation with Tofu and Tempeh. My husband was absolutely convinced he wouldn't like it but now he's suggesting recipes. He's enjoyed everything I've cooked (especially the tempeh.) Pick up a good cookbook and give it a try.

[Poppy]

Soy may or may not be a perfect food, but it sure is better for the animals!

[Chris in WC]

If you are new, I totaly recomend the Boca stuff because it can get you out of sticky situations. If you are at that cookout with the chef who absolutely insists you eat from the grill, bring the typical soy patties at let him have at them. But a question I've asked myself (I am new too BTW) is, why am I giving up meat if all I am going to eat are vegetable foods that taste like meat?

I love the crumbles! Like you, that's what I can get my wife and kids to eat with no argument. I'm away from home right now and cannot remeber the brand I've used, its not Bocca or morningstar farms, but its in the produce case and is delicious!

Final note: If you are replacing sausage, hot dogs, and hamburgers with soy, how bad could it honestly be? Surely not AS bad!

[codemonkey]

As a mathematician, I know enough about statistics that you should look at every study with a grain of salt. It's really easy to manipulate statistics. The only scientific studies you should believe are the large-scale studies with years of data.

[froggythefrog]

Soy is a good nutritious bean. Like most foods, the less processed it is, the better it is for you. Some forms, like soy protein isolate and TVP are processed with toxic chemicals like benzene. Extremely negligible amounts of these chemicals remain after processing. My approach has been to stick with edamame, tofu, tempeh, and soy milk, and only consume more processed soy on occasion. Soy may not be the miracle it was once promoted as, but like most beans, it is a very nutritious and healthy food.

[froggythefrog]

But a question I've asked myself (I am new too BTW) is, why am I giving up meat if all I am going to eat are vegetable foods that taste like meat?

Perhaps you're not quitting because of the taste. Maybe you're quitting for your health or because it harms animals. Just like quitting milk does not bring me to the conclusion I must avoid anything that tastes like ice cream. I just don't want the fat and to support the exploitation of animals. I still want the ice cream, so I have soy cream instead. :)

[Tofu-N-Sprouts]

Moderation is a good thing, whether it's soy, or anything else out there...

That said, I agree with those who have posted that the supposed "studies" about soy are not real reliable. It may tend to make thyroid problems worse in those who already have them, but otherwise probably just fine.

I also agree with Poppy, while it may not be perfect, sometimes the more processed soy products are what help people transition to a meatless diet. Until you learn all the ways to cook without meat, it's helpful (and with omnis in the house, sometimes necessary!).

[astro]

And if you're a guy, it'll help you grow really big breasts.

Lets hear it for the Moobs!!! :)

[Gita]

The last I heard was that soy is not a "miricle" food and cannot, by virtue of its molecules, actually stop or reverse any disease-- which were the claims. However since soy is a low calorie, low fat food, it is much better for you to eat than "hamburger or milk" and does not contribute to disease. For example, a person who is on the path to diabetes or heart desiese can be helped by weight loss-- soy has less calories and is a good compromise to people who want to lose weight, so in fact, soy helps decrease the opportunity for disease in a way.

[MaryC1999]

So a bit of experimentation with Tofu and Tempeh. My husband was absolutely convinced he wouldn't like it but now he's suggesting recipes. He's enjoyed everything I've cooked (especially the tempeh.) Pick up a good cookbook and give it a try.

I second the tempeh. I'm not a big fan of tofu but tempeh rocks. It's got a much better texture than tofu and it taste fabulous. Best of all, I don't have to tinker with it at all. :)
Bonoluvr, if your family *hates* tofu, definitely try tempeh. It's NOT the same, trust me.
Mary

[codemonkey]

Tempeh looks really wierd though. When I showed it to my husband he said, "I'm NOT eating that!" Then I made him taste it and he asked for more :)

[Bonoluvr]

I should have said we do use tempeh and love it! i used it the other night in a pasta dish, with garlic olive oil and broccoli, hubby gave it a weird look but one bite and he loved it.
i was thinking more on the lines of the stuff that is like hamburger but soy. for those times omni hubby has had enough of my "weird" cooking as he calls it! im thinking now, can tempeh be crumbled up and sauteed? never tried that.
and im also going to venture to make some seitan, i was at B&N and looked at one of the sarah kramer cookbooks i dont have and there were recipes of home to make versions of seitan like beef, chicken, etc.........
personally i could do without the mock meats, but i do it for hubby so he doesnt miss meat. although he insisted on buying himself some hamburger, cooked it up to take in his work lunch ..........he comes home and the hamburgers are uneaten, i asked him "why didnt you eat your sandwich"......his reply........" you are right, who wants to eat a dead cow".....omg i was floored and he fed the hamburger to the dog!! i must be making an impact on him afterall.......

[MaryC1999]

I should have said we do use tempeh and love it! i used it the other night in a pasta dish, with garlic olive oil and broccoli, hubby gave it a weird look but one bite and he loved it.
i was thinking more on the lines of the stuff that is like hamburger but soy. for those times omni hubby has had enough of my "weird" cooking as he calls it! im thinking now, can tempeh be crumbled up and sauteed? never tried that.
and im also going to venture to make some seitan, i was at B&N and looked at one of the sarah kramer cookbooks i dont have and there were recipes of home to make versions of seitan like beef, chicken, etc.........
personally i could do without the mock meats, but i do it for hubby so he doesnt miss meat. although he insisted on buying himself some hamburger, cooked it up to take in his work lunch ..........he comes home and the hamburgers are uneaten, i asked him "why didnt you eat your sandwich"......his reply........" you are right, who wants to eat a dead cow".....omg i was floored and he fed the hamburger to the dog!! i must be making an impact on him afterall.......

Wish my husband would feel that way. It's unlikely though. He never complains about my cooking but he opts for meat whenever he eats out and usually wants to eat it for lunch too.
You should TOTALLY buy one of Sarah Kramer's cookbooks. I have La Dolce Vegan. She rocks and most of her recipes include stuff you can make at home from scratch. :up:
Mary

[Vegania]

No! http://www.foodrevolution.org/mothering,htm

[Vegania]

This is the correctley typed link. http://www.foodrevolution.org/mothering.htm

[Poppy]

I'm posting a copy of a letter I wrote to the editor of our local newspaper. It was published in this morning's edition. It is in reference to an article that ran that was about how disappointing the studies on soy have been - how it's not the "super food" once advertised.

Soy's Star Shines Brightly
Editor, Times-Dispatch: As I sat eating my whole grain cereal with soy milk one recent morning, I read with interest an article in the Balance section, "Soy's Star Fading As Studies Mount." What was recently touted as the answer to nearly all of our health woes is now only an ordinary wholesome food which should be eaten in moderation, along with a balanced diet and exercise. What a disappointment.
What the article failed to address is the most consistent truth about adding soy-based products to any diet: Soy products provide tasty and humane alternatives to consuming meat and dairy. By substituting soy milk for cow's milk and veggie burgers for hamburgers, you can reduce animal suffering and your own cholesterol level at the same time. What a great food -- soy is a star. Elizabeth Lamp. midlothian.

[sophia_cat]

Sophia Cat.........what alternatives to the boca and morningstar products are out there? i use a lot of the "crumbles" to make meatless meals that omni hubby would like........what can i use in its place ( no tofu, no one will eat it here).......are those bulk TVP granules better to use?

The trick is to find recipes that you can make that everybody can eat. My boyfriend loves his meat and respects my veganism, neither of us will change, so we work with it.

For example:
Tacos - I make his with beef and I do my refried beans in another pan. I use half the taco seasoning on his and half on mine.

Spagetti - I make sauce and beef in seperate pans.

Stews, I make all of them vegan and add meat to his in the end.

I think its a common misconception that there has to be something "meaty" in everything. Im just as happy eating a huge plate of roasted vegetables or marinated lentils as a meal. In fact, I make those in big quantities and eat
as a dinner and then make his chicken, beef, pork, whatever. Yep, Im a vegan who cooks meat almost every night.

Ive found that over time, he actually wants some of what Im eating. "hey that tofy dish you made last night looks good, can you make that for both of us next time?" or "last time you made vegetables, I really liked it" warms my heart, it does.

I think the trick is not to find a meat substitute for everything, because no product tastes like beef or cheese or eggs. It takes some time and creativity, but its very easy.

I suggest:
www.theppk.com
www.recipezaar.com
www.allrecipes.com
www.fooddownunder.com

AND you can always come to VB for ideas!!! :bobo: