Soy Isn’t the Beat All Food – not all soy is healthy
Why do health gurus, doctors, and so many others recommend soy/tofu as an alternative to meat? It does have a lot of protein, and perhaps some benefits, but really – it should not be eaten often at all! Only rarely, as a condiment, perhaps. Is soy bad for you? It depends…not all soy is healthy.
Soy, in its unfermented state (edamame, tofu, soy milk, and anything made from them), is not so healthy. Small amounts are ok, but not daily or often, or in large portions. Fermented soy (miso, natto, soy sauce, tempeh, etc.) is healthier and isn’t harmful in the way unfermented soy is, and it is actually beneficial. So, eat fermented soy.
Another concern with soy is that over 90% of US soy is GMO soy. Being GMO, soy is doused with Round-Up pesticide. You are ingesting the glyphosate and other ingredients of Round-Up.
These gurus tout that soy is a super food, lowering cholesterol, preventing heart disease, osteoporosis, and certain cancers. Soy that is unfermented contains phytic acid, and large amounts of this can block your consumption of certain minerals. These may include magnesium, iron, iodine, zinc, and copper, which are essential minerals. Soy (unfermented) may weaken the immune system and may contribute to thyroid disorders. It can contribute to food allergies, digestive intolerances, and kidney stones.
Unfermented soy can mimic the effects of estrogen, a female hormone, since it contains phytoestrogens. Soy can also play havoc on your thyroid. Is soy bad for you? Unfermented soy is not so good for you – yes, in anything more than a small amount, if any.
Fermented soy can help your gut bacteria (recolonize helpful bacteria), as is the case with many fermented foods. The phytic acid is neutralized when fermentation takes place. Feel free to eat more fermented soy.
Seriously, decrease your intake of unfermented soy – and make sure it’s not in your baby’s formula (which would deliver high doses of soy in a still forming infant). Soy (unfermented) is NOT the health food these gurus would have you believe – use it in moderation and make sure it’s organic.
I’ve been researching soy for a while, since my daughter became a vegan and was using more soy products. I encourage her to find other alternatives, or at least, use organic, fermented soy products.
Unfermented Soy Products (avoid)
- Edamame
- Tofu
- Soy milk, dairy substitutes, ice cream and soy anything
- Soy oil
- Other products which contain soy
Fermented Soy Products
- · Soy sauce and Tamari
- · Miso
- · Natto (fermented soy beans – but it tastes NASTY!)
- · Tempeh
- · Fermented tofu
P.R.
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