Soy

[pluckyduck]

I started reading a bit about the benefits of soy protein a couple of years back. What interested me most was the introduction of soy into the diet to combat estrogen level decline due to (gasp) menopause. I'm not in meopause yet, but, now I'm 40, and I have to face the fact that one way or another it's going to get me. I'm sensitive enough to hormone fluctuations due to "that time of the month" or pregnancy to know that whacky hormones for the sometimes years and years that meopause takes could be really unpleasant (not just for me, but for the people around me! )

With my little fitness binge here, I thought, what the heck, let me do a little bit more research and come up with a way to add soy protein into my diet consistiently.

Well, apparently soy now does everything but cure the common cold! Sheesh!

These folks are selling soy products, so of course they are going to claim it is beneficial...but my goodness... does it really help with weight loss the way that they claim?

What do you guys know about soy? (I know between the lot of us, we all know everything with a little bit to spare.)

From what I've read, the daily serving should be 25 grams of soy protein? Yes?

Andrea

Edited to add: Here's the 8th Continent stuff I just bought that I love. If you are watching sugar grams though, you won't be happy with the 10g of sugar per serving.

[cyndilouwhoo]

All I know about soy, Ducks--is that the thought of eating it over any period of time makes me want to retch

I did try it once--about a million years ago--and decided rolling in sunsoaked week-old garbage was more fun.

What can I say? I have developed a huge tolerance for all sorts of different foods:

Soy is NOT one of them

Cyndi

[tipu]

Originally posted by pluckyduck
What do you guys know about soy?

I don't have anything scientific to say about soy, but would like to observe that I've had no problems cooking or cerealing with vanilla soymilk, soy adds texture to shakes, and chocolate soymilk is heaven.

[murasaki]

I don't know much about soy other than the Japanese eat a lot of it and they're pretty healthy (except for all the smoking).

My favorite ways of eating soy:

Edamame - boiled soybean pods; great as a snack or party dish

Tofu - in fruit shakes; put it in the blender with fruit and juice or honey to sweeten

Many grocery stores have mix packets to make with tofu as a substitute for meat or cheese in stir fry or tacos. The ones I've tried have been pretty good. Tofu takes on the flavor of whatever it's cooked or mixed with.

Once in awhile I get a craving for miso soup, which is made from soybean curd. If you've eaten in Japanese restaurants, they often serve it with meals: miso is kind of yellow in color and looks like cloudy water with green onion or seaweed floating in it. When I make miso I usually put chopped green onion, regular onion, potatoes and various veggies in it.

In the summer time, I will sometimes eat a half block of tofu, mashed, slathered with mayonnaise (Japanese mayonnaise tastes the best), sprinkled with soy sauce and more chopped green onions. This kind of dish is really for the hard-core tofu eater.

I hope this gives you a few ideas!

--naomi

[foxfroggy]

I switched to more soy from HRT and did fine. I do check my bone density, though.

I have recipe for a power shake that even most soy-haters will enjoy.

Creamsicle Soy Shake

1/3 to 1/2 block Silken Soft Tofu
8oz. Orange Juice
1 banana, frozen if possible
1/4 teas vanilla
1 teas sugar or honey (to taste)
5-6 ice cubes

Whirl this in the blender. Tastes like a banana creamsicle and it's a great meal. I've found that as a breakfast it keeps me going all day.

You don't have to eat it solo- add crumbled firm tofu to meat loaf or meat balls. Sneak it into stir-fry that has some meat, chicken, or seafood. Make pudding with soy milk.

Pat