Soy Protein.....Any concerns??

K

kali1

Cathlete
It's crazy. You hear all about the benefits of soy protein and now I've read soy isn't all that it's cracked up to be. A friend sent me an article about the dangers of soy. They say soy can cause problems with the thyroid, promote breast cancer, etc, etc! I'm not sure what to believe when it comes to soy anymore. I love my protein drinks, veggie burgers, protein bars, etc and I hate to give them up.

What does the educated crowd think?? Is soy bashing a bunch of crap or is there some validity to it?


Here's the article I was sent:

http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soy_alert.html

Thanks!!

Kali
 
I too just read an article about soy which spoke of all the above problems you mentioned. I'm a vegan so this is definitely an issue where my diet is concerned. Until I find out a little more info I am using caution and balance where soy is concerned. It is true that soy is used in almost EVERYTHING and I can see how it could be overused. I have been trying to stay away from the processed soy products and products with soy oil (which is many), but I still include tofu every so often and some soy products in moderation. I just don't want to make them an everyday thing if that makes sense (it would be easy for a vegan to overuse soy) I've opted to work fish into my diet more often rather than go soy all the time. I also use a protein powder that is all veggie protein and soy free.

My own opinion would be to use balance where soy is concerned...just a thought.

Briee
 
Although I suspect that certain people are sensitive to soy, I don't think soy is evil for most people. I believe I am intolerant to it, because I get extremely painful joints when I eat most soy-based products. I used to drink Slim-Fast a lot, and after they added soy to their products, I have not been able to drink it without pain. I'm hesitant to say for sure that soy is the issue, but it seems to be the only thing in that stuff that I don't normally eat. Eventually I'll get tested for food allergies and find out for sure.
 
Briee - what kind of protein powder do you use? I've been using Genisoy, made with soy protein. I'd be interested in one veggie based.

I (also a vegan) was concerned about getting too much soy in my diet and I went to see a dietician. I told her about my concerns and she said that the amount of soy I ate was fine - esp. since I was vegan and really needed to be concerned with getting enough protein. My midwife concurred. I have a protein shake in the am plus usually tofu or soy based products for dinner or lunch, occasionally a little at both. To supplement the soy based protein I eat beans, nuts/seeds, and breads/grains with high protein volumes. I also drink about 1 - 1 1/2 cups of Silk Soy Milk per day, to make sure I am getting in the calcium and vitamins I need, in addition to the protein boost.

I firmly believe that too much of anything is a bad thing and I probably get a little much soy in my diet but I'd rather face the negative possibilities with that then the problems that milk and meat in one's diet can cause (IMHO - I'm not trying to push vegan-ism on anyone or say that my way is the right way!!!)
 
I think whole soy (tofu, edmame, tempeh, canned soy beans) would possibly have a different effect on the body than processed soy (soy protein isolate and the soy that most protein powder and processed soy foods are made of). I haven't looked at the article yet, but does it distinguish between the two?
 
Hi,

As well as soy products, I am a fish lover but I am now getting scared of it as I have read of the high levels of mercury in it.

But what can we do crowd? if we listen to everything we hear or take as gospel everything that we read, there will be nothing left to eat.

Every thing in moderation I say.


hotchick
 
Hi Maya, I use Naturade soy free veggie protein. There is only 1 carbo, 0 sugars, and 23 grams of protein per serving. I don't like sugary sweet shakes so this stuff is acceptable. Also I try to stick with rice milk as an alternative to soy milk, Better than Milk makes powdered rice milk. I like the powdered stuff cause I hardly use it and if I get the liquid it tends to go bad before I can use it up. I eat lots of nuts and seeds too. You mentioned your midwife, are you pregnant? If so make sure you get lots of nuts and seeds, almond butter on triscuits is great!! I did add more fish when I was pregnant.

IMHO - I'm happy to push vegan-ism on anyone who is willing to try it!!! :) :) :) I was sick most of my growing up years all the time from colds, flus etc.....and since I've been vegan for the last four years I have had NO colds and one short flu and no other sicknesses and I have 5 children who catch things every so often (I previously caught every cold they caught). My hormones have straightened out, (with the exception of while I'm nursing a baby, that seems to screw everything up).....so bring on the veggies!!! And try to get a non soy products into your diet to balance things out.

Briee (just throwing out my opinion)
 
Hi Kari,

Boy, this is up my alley. I am a breast cancer survivor. I had two different oncologists, from two different offices, tell me to stay away from soy. They told me this even though my particular type of cancer was not "estrogen-sensitive". The FDA has labeled estrogen as a carcinogen. (I have to wonder why HRT is allowed). Soy contains phytoestrogens (plant based estrogren). Soy is in just about EVERYTHING processed. A very reputable health food store in our area even stopped recommending soy for anyone. If you read a book that promotes soy, as several do, remember it takes up to 2 years for a book to be published. By that time most information in it is outdated. I found a whey protein powder mix at Wal-Mart that is low in carbs and resonable in price. Take care & God bless.

Denise
 
I bet if you do research on just about any food, somewhere you will find an article or two that says it is bad for you. I am really surprised at what I've been reading in this post about soy. I thought soy was very good for you (not processed soy). The only thing that concerns me about soy being a concern for breast cancer is on my Sun Soy cartons, they promote breast cancer awareness and say that a diet high in soy is good for you. Could they be wrong? On almost all of my food boxes that are soy based...boca burgers, soy milk, etc....they say to get 25mg. of soy protein a day for healthy living and prevention of certain deceases. I have read that the body treats soy like estrogen, so it is good for prevention of breast cancer and symtoms of menopause. I thought synthetic estrogen was what was bad for you. I too will have to read into this further. I have been incorporating soy into my diet because I was under the impression it was a great thing...I'm not so sure now.

Kim
 
Denise -

That's very odd b/c my friend at work also had Breast Cancer, and I am going to have to ask her but I believe they said it wasn't estrogen sensitive also.. I don't believe they have warned her to stay away from soy.. I'm going to ask tomorrow.

I know for a fact she is drinking soy milk b/c we have talked about it with in the past week.

Just a commment.. got me thinking /wondering.
 
I think I'll start trying rice milk and try the veggie protein Briee suggested. I agree that moderation is the key. Maybe a little soy protein isn't too bad?? Does anyone know of a veggie burger that doesn't contain soy?

Kali :)
 
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