“Eating soy may make your period irregular, compromise your ability to get pregnant; it can give you osteoporosis, horrible gas, zero energy and hypothyroidism, “ she says. “It’s also one of the most common food allergens. I am not joking. Do not eat it!”
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Yikes. Those are some pretty scary claims! According to Aimee, soy is bad for you because it’s processed at very high temperatures that strip it of important enzymes our body needs to digest it. Also: Processing soy creates toxins and carcinogens that are unhealthy for us.
So does that mean no soy ever?
Not necessarily. If you must have soy, have it in moderation, says Aimee. But be more savvy about the amount (eat less of it) and the kind of soy you consume. A two-ounce serving of fermented and non-genetically modified soy two to three times a week is OK, she says. It’s easier for your system to digest and won’t kill you. Miso, soy yogurt, sprouted tofu, and tempeh are good examples.
Aimee also suggests trying alternatives to soymilk like almond milk, rice milk or hemp milk. And “get your protein from a valid source,” she says. Most health bars and protein shakes have processed soy derivatives that are no good for you. Check the label for names like “hydrolyzed soy protein,” “soy lecithin,” and “soy protein isolates”. Some soy-free bars she likes are: Larabars, Dr. Weil’s bars, and Nature’s Path granola bars.
So there you have it! You can check out Aimee’s blog, Chill Out And Get Healthy! for more info. I don’t know that I will swear off soymilk and regular tofu forever, but I think that speaking to Aimee has definitely opened my eyes. I’ll be reading labels more closely, for sure!
So what do you guys think? Had you heard about the dangers
of soy before? Do you think there’s some validity to it, or are you
worried that water will be the next thing on the list of stuff to
stay away from? Would love to hear from our vegetarian readers! And
how often do you eat or drink soy products in a given day? Please
share!
Plus:
- What goes in your latte? Soy, nonfat, 2% or full fat?
- Bored with your same old granola bar? Try this one
- More health controversy, over at Vitamin G
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