Soy Answer

JennyA
on 7/21/09 12:56 am - Eagan, MN

Since many people inquired about my soy caution in the Edamame post, I thought I'd reply in a seperate post. I am not a medical or nutrional expert, just an attentive consumer.

My caution stems from an article I read in More magazine (view article at http://www.more.com/2030/4347-soy--too-much-of-a). Like anything diet related, the key take-away from the article is ENJOY IN MODERATION.

Obviously the cautions are not for everyone, but you should always thoroughly investigate any change you are going to fully or partially embrace to make sure it is right for you. Don't jump on any bandwagon blindfolded.

Take care all.

J

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J

ngravesmayer
on 7/21/09 2:10 am, edited 7/21/09 2:17 am - maple grove, MN

RNY on 05/06/09

Thanks for the good info.
Like you say Everything in moderation is the key.

What to Eat -- and Not Eat

Soybeans are the only vegetables to contain a complete set of amino acids, which makes them the protein equivalent of meat, eggs, and milk. "If you eat soybeans as a substitute for meat, you'll increase your intake of fiber and lower your consumption of cholesterol," Sass says. You get the biggest nutritional bang if you stick with whole soy foods like tofu, soy milk, and edamame. And check the labels of processed foods: Your best bets, Sass says, are those that list whole soybeans on the label; she gives Soy Joy bars and Dr. Praeger's burgers as good examples.

And while no one knows how much soy is too much, the current government guidelines say that if soy is your main source of protein (as it is for many vegetarians), you should stop at 25 grams, or three to four servings, a day. (See "What's a Serving Size?" to see how that translates.) That advice applies to most midlife women, but those at high risk for breast cancer should talk to their doctors, says oncologist Marisa Weiss, MD, founder of breastcancer.org. She adds that women with a history of hormone positive breast cancer might be told by their physicians to minimize consumption of soy foods and to avoid consuming any concentrated soy products -- because the isoflavones in soy can have weak estrogen-like effects. But for the rest of us, "Soy is a healthy addition to your diet," Sass says, "if consumed in moderation."