What do you think of soy-based foods?

At one point I was eating a lot of soy-based protein bars and "meatless meats", but then a friend told me she heard  that too much soy isn't a good thing and can actually be harmful.  I've looked around the net here and there for information, but I thought I would see if anyone has an opinion on this. 

I have heard - don't know if it's true - that fermented soy (miso, natto, tamari, tempeh) is better than unfermented (tofu, soy milk, soy protein powders and meat alternatives such as TVP).  Some sites claim that, specifically, too much unfermented soy can be bad for you.  Other sites say things like soy milk, soy nuts, soy crisps, and other processed soy products do not retain many of the healthful compounds that are in soy beans.  I guess as with anything else, the more processed the product is, the less nutritious it is likely to be. 

Maybe this is old news to most folks, but I guess I'm wondering if I was buying into the hype and believing that the mere mention of soy correlated with some sort of super food or was, if not beneficial, at least harmless.  Now I don't know what to believe.

I'm starting to feel like this is a silly post, but I'm going to post it anyway! 

It isn't real silly...and if it is, it's not your fault! there is soooo much conflicting info out here, nobody can keep it all straight. We could - and have had - bigass debates on how to define the term "healthy". Who knows....

I eat soy, but not like I used to. in my training, it is science that humans assimilate animal proteins and nutrition lots better than from vegetable sources. In other words, we get almost 100% of the nutrients from meats/dairy than we get from vegetables, which tends to be more like 70-80% or less.

Therefore, knowing that fact AND how I feel after i eat most soy based products - i know I feel more satsified when I eat meat/dairy.

I choose this for now, b/c I need to eat less cals. Years ago i ate semi-veg ( i woudl eat fish occasionally) and gained a lot of weight.

I love lots of soy products - one is the morningstar farms sausage patties! I adore soy butter, too. I read labels and try to buy more soy items that have a good level of fat and not a lot of carb grams - in fact, i try for equal grams in carbs/protein or if it is higher in fat, like soy butter/cheese.

My protein drinks are almost all whey based (cow's milk), but i have at least one soy based one that I do love to stir into things like bean soup to pump up the nutrition.

I am intrigued with eating vegetarian - someday i will do just that. For now, i am way too busy and that way of eating takes lots of prep.

I'm also intrigued with becoming a vegetarian (due to concerns about the way we treat animals in our food supply).  I'm concerning about how I'd get adequate protein.  I should quit being lazy and get a vegetarian cookbook and at least try it for a week or two.  Ideally, I'd want to give up not just meat but eggs and cheese as well.  How would I live without real cheese (and without relying on soy)!  Baby steps, I guess.

Isn't it funny how you start doing one thing good for your body (or should I say "thought"), and then they switch it on you.

I wouldn't disregard soy in your diet if you like it.  It has too much to offer people, and if you like it then it's an extra bonus.  It seems to me that once experts says "something is good for them"  it makes people eat the stuff 24/7.  Eating tons of soy isn't good for you, same as eating tons of any certain type of food isn't good for you.  You just have to eat with moderation for it to be beneficial.

From what I've heard and read they are still debating on tons of issues regarding soy.  So my opinion  is enjoy it, just eat it and remember moderation is key! :)  Soy has been around forever and has proved (in my eyes anyway) that it is so much more beneficial to eat a little bit (again, if you like it), than leave it out of your diet.

my two cents

Hi Hol!  I remembered that one "allegation" about soy is that for older people, eating an overabundance MAY cause hormonal upset. 

Now who knows how powerful the estrogen in soy can *truly* affect anybody. However, it did make me stop and think twice about eating as much as i was at one time.

And that is why i tend to eat fairly moderately. In my self assessment, i see that I had the idea that if this _________- (fill in the Super Food du jour here!) - was good for you...wowee wow...what IF i ate twice that amount?

I don't think I am alone here.  Think about fiber additives - I know I about blew out my colon by eating gobs of psyllium - again, if a little does good, well how about twice that amount? Think about vitamins and elixirs and Trader Joe anything...sales are UP... people buy this stuff like it is Jesus Himself selling it!

Yep, I agree. People go nuts over hearing that a food is good for them.   I being one of them, and learning from it.  That is partially actually why I haven't been posting tell you the truth!  But I won't get into that on this post. :)  Maybe I'll pm ya.  

But yea, too much of one thing is rarely a good thing.   But a little bit of several good things goes a long way! :)  Think this goes back to moderation and how much we really need to eat.  In fact, I keep on thinking of that saying "eating less increases longevity"...or..."eating less, live longer".  Whatever happened to those two simple quotes to live by?   I for one am starting to think long and hard on this also.  But I think that's another topic. :)   Sort of like "feeding your metabolism" vs "eating less, increasing longevity".    Oooh I like it.lol  

Very true - moderation is the key for all things.  What's that saying?  One man's cure is another man's poison, it all just depends upon the dosage.

I rarely eat soy.  It's estrogen-like qualities can cause a multitude of health problems.  Maybe a handful of times a year I'll have a soy meal or snack.  But NOT on a regular basis.

I've hear this, too.  I'm still not certain it's true, but it seems to be something to consider.