Friday, 23 September 2011 17:42
Benefits of Removing Soy From Your Diet & What Healthy Foods To Eat Instead
Written by Whitney Lauritsen
I get a lot of questions about why I stopped eating soy and whether or not it's good for you, so here's a video that sums up my answers.
Here's a summary of the video and more details:
The quick answer is that soy upsets my stomach and I don't believe that eating it in excess is healthy. Vegans often turn to soy products - whether tofu, tempeh, faux meat, or dairy alternatives - to give them protein or take the place of animal products. My concerns are that a lot of these products are not organic (thus can be genetically modified and/or full of pesticides), many are over-processed, and it's just too much of one thing. When I realized that soy was the root of a lot of my stomach issues, I gave it up (mostly) and discovered that there are many delicious vegan options. Even on a diet free of gluten and refined sugars I find plenty of things to eat.
My diet mainly consists of:
My diet mainly consists of:
- vegetables (including sea vegetables)
- fruits
- nuts
- seeds
- grains
While I mainly eat whole, unprocessed foods, I do enjoy the occasional non-dairy treat like coconut milk "ice cream" or "yogurt" or some bean chips. I mainly make dishes by combining a variety of vegetables with a gluten-free grain like quinoa. However, every now and then I'll have some soy if it's in a dish I really want to try or an exciting new vegan product.
Reasons to avoid soy:
- a lot of soy products are overly processed
- processed soy is acidic
- a lot of soy is GMO and sprayed with pesticides
- some studies show a connection to forms of cancers
Reasons to enjoy organic soy in moderation/small portions:
- high in protein
- it's filling
- fermented soy like tempeh is high in probiotics and can help the body absorb minerals
- some studies have shown that the isoflavones and phytoestrogens in it can help prevent breast cancer
- research has shown that soybeans can lower cholesterol and help prevent osteoporosis
- Asian cultures have eaten it throughout history and don't
What are your thoughts and education on soy? Do you eat it? Why or why not?
