I probably get at least one question a day about soy. I can understand why. The soy debate is a virtual ping pong match of information that would make any seasoned politician’s head spin.
Some feel that soy is the nectar of the gods and a diet rich in good quality soy will solve all that ails you. I mean, Asian cultures have been using soy for centuries and have the most amazing skin and virtually no menopause. It’s gotta be the soy.
(ping)
Other’s feel that the benefits of soy are actually manufactured by the soy bean industry. It is in fact so dangerous that men will grow breasts and become sterile almost upon contact. But wait, I heard that was a theory invented by the meat and dairy industries…
(pong)
So, what is the truth? As one can imagine it’s somewhere in the middle. I’d like to share an article that I came across the other day that does an excellent job of exploring the pros and cons of soy.
Soy – What’s the Big Deal?
If you have any interest in this issue I highly recommend you give the article a read. For those of you that want a VERY oversimplified summary here goes:
A moderate intake of soy in whole food form can absolutely be a part of a healthy diet. Examples of whole food soy are: tofu, edamame, tempeh, and miso. It is a safe bet to steer clear of isolated and high refined soy. Examples of this are soy isolates, soy concentrates, and textured vegetable protein. So, in short, soy is much like most foods out there – it should be enjoyed in moderation and as close to it’s natural form as possible.
