Want to know the skinny about SOY???

SOY,SOY, SOY, is all you will hear about these days. “ Instead of drinking cows milk, drink Soy milk.” “Child allergic to dairy? Drink soy formula.” Want to go without cows meat? Tofu is what you need to be eating.” For YEARS, everywhere you looked you would see the positive statements issued about soy. Even most health books articles you read turn out to be PRO soy. In fact with so much PRO SOY information out there it is not hard to believe why people think that anything made from soy is good for you and healthy. But I am hear to tell you that Soy is not that great. In fact in several books that I am reading, soy is not even listed as a great, or wonderful food. Crazy huh? Let me further explain…..

** The book that I am getting facts from is from the book The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth by Jonny Bowden, Pages 165-169.


If soy is so great why is the FDA actually reviewing where it stands when it comes to soy? Why last April, did the American Heart Association’s Nutrition committee decide that Soy is not a good food source in order to lower cholesterol? What would make the Journal of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition suggest in an article that soy protein formula had no nutritional advantage over cow’s milk protein...”

The main reason as to why SOY is not longer a SUPER FOOD is based on how it is prepared. Americans have been using Soy as a powder and will sprinkle it here and there and yon. Leave it up to Americans to take something healthy and abuse it, lie about it's nutritional value and then market it to death!! The truth is that Asians have used Soy for a long time. YEARS AND YEARS! But preparation is the key here. Soybeans themselves contain haemagglutinin which is a clot promoting substance causing red blood cell to stick together and goitrogens- substances that suppress thyroid function. That is pretty scary folks! Your thyroid has a very important job helping with metabolism, and it controls how the body makes proteins as well as other hormones. Soy is a blood clotter! Wow, I really want that in my body!


The only soy food that should be entering your body would be the Soy that is used in the Asian diet. Foods like Tempeh and Miso, where Soy is naturally fermented. That is the key word- fermented. Also Asians eat way less of it than you might think.

Here is the part where I tell you which soybeans are good for your body but will take some getting used to. Preparation is key as well. They are Edamame, Tempeh, Natto and Miso.

Edamame is the Japanese word for “green vegetable soybeans”. Japanese eat them as a snack food in the same way that Americans eat Peanuts. Usually they are prepared by steaming them in the pod for 20 minutes, then salting and chilling them before serving. If you have a Trader Joe’s where you live you probably already know that you can readily pick these up. It only take 3 1/2 ounces of the edible beans to provide 12g of protein as well as fiber, calcium (keep that in mind when I get to the topic of dairy some time later) and potassium for your body!

Now let us get to the Fermented types that are SUPER GOOD for you!!! TEMPEH is eaten a lot in Indonesia and is made from the controlled fermentation of cooked whole Soybeans. After fermenting the tempeh, it looks like a compact white cake. Here is a cool fact, tempeh fermentation produces natural antibiotic agents that are believed to increase the body’s resistance to infections. That rocks!! Now for some more good news, tempeh has what are called Phytochemicals such as isoflavones and saponins. When it is fermented, it leaves the isoflavones intact and as a result, the isoflavones may be responsible for helping to ease menopausal symptoms. In fact soy proteins that are found in tempeh may possibly reduce the risk of heart disease and some cancers! Yeah, now that is what I am talking about! Tempeh has a nutty mushroom flavor and can be sliced and sautéed till golden brown. In fact, you can use tempeh in soups, salads or any place that you would use mushrooms. Spaghetti anyone????

MISO is the other Soybean product that has been fermented and is great for your body. The Japanese have been using Miso since the 7th Century. Miso is a great component for protein. Just a 1/4 of a cup of pure Miso contains 8 g of soy protein as well as cancer fighting mineral selenium, plus potassium and a small amount of calcium. I have to add also that though it is great for you, miso does contain high amounts of sodium. But balanced with potassium found in fruits and veggies, it is not a problem for most people.

But if you want to get down and dirty and hear about the SUPER, SUPER soybean food, let me tell you about NATTO. Great for your body but it is an acquired taste. Once fermented it is sticky and odorous. The reason why NATTO is a super food is the enzymes that are in it help to reduce and prevent blood clots. In fact many nutritionists often recommend NATTO as an alternative to blood-thinning-medications and help to guard against strokes. But do not just jump in that car and rush off to your nearest health food store, you need to talk to your doctor first cause if you are going to wean off of a medication you need to have your physicians blessing. NATTO does contain Vitamin K and some medications used to help in blood-clotting might not work properly when Vitamin K is introduced. So again, check with your Doctor first.


WOW!! That was a lot of information there Laura, you are saying. Well, with the help of the author Dr, Bowden, let me try to place all that I have typed out for you about in a bit of a more concise form.

1) A serving of Soy powder is not going to kill you or anyone else but it is not doing your body any good so why keep using it???

2) SHOCK OF THE WORLD! All the soy products out there that are marketed as great food are C-R-A-P. Soy chips, soy milk, soy ice-cream, tofu ice cream, soy burgers, soy supplements and the lot. They are no better than eating Doritos and eating a fat helping of Marble Slab.

3) Soy formula should not be given to infants unless there are no other choices.

4) Using soy as your only source of protein is really not a safe or smart idea. So all you vegetarians listen up.

5) Fermented Soy prepared the old fashioned way, like they do in Asia, is very,very healthy for you. (Tempeh and Miso)