It is often taken as a given fact that soy is beneficial to our health, and that it is certainly a healthier alternative to dairy products and meat. However, it is rare that anyone actually either asks or informs us of what soy is or why we should consume it.
Soy ? Where does it come from?
The origins of soy can be traced back to Japan from as early as 2800 B.C. Since then, it has been a prominent feature of the Asian diet and has been linked to the lower frequency of cancer in those native to this region (especially in comparison to the UK and the USA).
Soy was first introduced in Europe in the early 18th Century and has gone from being used almost exclusively as animal feed to a multi-billion dollar industry.
What is it?
Soy is a highly nutritious legume which has over a 40% protein content, omega3 fatty acids, high fibre content and contains 'isoflavones' which are known to imitate the effects of natural estrogens. Also known as glycine soja (wild soybean), soybeans are the world's primary source of vegetable protein and contain all of the essential amino acids, which gives it the title of a 'complete protein'.
Why Consume Soy?
Aside from the obvious benefits to consuming soy outlined above, there are several more specific reasons as to why soy would be a smart addition to any diet or lifestyle. Soy has been given more and more attention in terms of research over the past decade and the following have been the most prominent discoveries:
Making Soy a Part of Your Diet
This is not as difficult as it sounds as soy products are becoming more and more readily available (in all shapes, sizes and flavours) and equipment such as soy milk makers, and tofu kits are now available for home use, as well as commercial.
Probably the biggest step towards increasing soy in your diet (and replacing dairy) is gained from converting to soy milk. Although some people find the taste of soy milk, 'different' to that of cow's milk, by transitioning, this can easily be overcome.
By mixing soy with cow's milk, in incremental steps over the period of a month or so, it can be relatively easy to transition.
Suggested Transition:
Weeks 1-2: Use 25% Soy, and 75% cow's milk on cereals and for drinking 'neat'. Use soy in coffee and tea, but with a splash of milk. Replace 25% of regular flour with soy flour when baking. Use soy milk in smoothies where the taste is much weaker than on cereals.
Weeks 2-4: Split 50-50 when using milk and flour. Use only soy in tea and coffee and have a scoop of soy-based 'ice cream' along with regular ice-cream.
Week 4+: Increase split to 25-75 in favour of soy milk and flour. Continue at this level until you feel accustomed to the taste of soy milk and other soy products.
It will not be long until your taste alters and you actual begin to prefer the taste of soy milk, especially in drinks such as smoothies, where soy gives a much more creamy taste.
Recommended Soy Products/Brands
At EFL we heartily recommend the following:
the high protein content of soy can improve athletic performance aims to bring you the very best in health and the high protein content of soy can improve athletic performance resources, news and articles as well as the products, equipment, supplements and superfoods you need to achieve optimal health and nutrition.
best cleaning company Highland Park ..All of my life I believed the best way to... Read More
BASIC MEAL & MENU PLANNINGAs a basis for meals and... Read More
Fibromyalgia is a chronic and potentially life-altering disorder with symptoms... Read More
Do you need omega 3 fatty acid in your diet?... Read More
Vitamin EThere has been a lot of controversy about vitamin... Read More
Hi Readers,My message today is simple short and perhaps blunt... Read More
THE RISKThe primary symptom of acid reflux is obvious to... Read More
The benefits from eating healthy are endless. And, according to... Read More
There are numerous diets out there that guarantee that they... Read More
Today, more than ever, consumers over the age of 50... Read More
Apple cider vinegar is a product of apple juice fermentation.... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
If you're suffering from constipation, you are no doubt looking... Read More
Food in general has the distinction of being probably the... Read More
Spring is in the air and ? summer is around... Read More
Many people complain that organic foods are more costly than... Read More
PROTEIN DEFICIENT? CHANCES ARE YOU ARE!Did you know that 9... Read More
After reading this, you'll never look at a banana in... Read More
If you drop a bomb, you kill not only your... Read More
Most of us are "regular" people. We don't eat the... Read More
The problem with sugar is that it doesn't contain any... Read More
With new research, new products and new skin protection advice... Read More
I am sure you have heard you have to build... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
Please feel free to comment, so that the article may... Read More
high-end home cleaning Winnetka ..Did you know that the food you eat could be... Read More
A lot of people I've talked with about health supplements... Read More
In today's world, there's a definite need to be proactive... Read More
Fiber is the part of the plant that is resistant... Read More
Bye Bye HolidaysHoping everyone had a fun, fantastic, exciting and... Read More
I start from the premise that eating instinctively means eating... Read More
Monosodium glutamate, commonly known as MSG, was thought of as... Read More
Many of us, probably even you, want this thing called... Read More
We sometimes hear about ways that we can take care... Read More
If you are like most people, you don't enjoy the... Read More
DIETARY SOURCES OF GLUTATHIONE: Glutathione (GSH) is an antioxidant and... Read More
Are you concerned about taking care of your body before... Read More
The story of creation begins with water. Water is an... Read More
People are obsessed with dieting and weight loss! Don't believe... Read More
1. Enjoy what you eatWhether someone is following the Atkins... Read More
Eating grain products - breads, cakes, cereals - have long... Read More
Nutrition facts have become a part of everyday life because... Read More
Some of the things you think you know that just... Read More
Aging occurs when the body's cells die at faster rates... Read More
The debate regarding Fluoride continues to rage, is it good... Read More
If you have a business trip tomorrow morning, you've probably... Read More
I would like to raise a question: Is Rejuvenation possible... Read More
Millions of people around the UK consume dairy products on... Read More
A flood of scientific evidence about fish oil points to... Read More
This is usually the forgotten element of most mass programs.... Read More
Nutrition |