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Soy is a fantastic addition to your diet. It is low fat, contains no saturated fat, is a complete protein source and provides calcium, manganese, magnesium, selenium, iron, potassium and zinc.
There are many misconceptions creating fears about soy when it comes to nutrition and health. However soy is a healthy addition to your diet, so much so that The Australian Guide to Healthy Eating, The Canadian Food Guide and The Dietary Guidelines for America, to name a few, all recommend soy as part of healthy diet. Let’s look at why. Benefits of soy? Taste - Firstly, soy is delicious and versatile. It can be eaten as tofu, edamame beans, tempeh and soy milk to name a few. Muscle synthesis - Soy is a great alternative to animal protein. Soy protein isolate digestibility is around 89–92%, similar to eggs at 91% or meat at 90–94%, inferring that total protein requirement is similar regardless if eating soy or animal products. Soy protein supplementation also shows similar results to whey protein in response to resistance training when producing strength gains and lean body mass. Reduced cancer risk - Regarding cancer, soy consumption is associated with a reduced risk for hormones dependent cancers including prostate, 15% of all male cancers worldwide, and breast, the most prevalent cancer worldwide. Breast cancer recurrence may also be reduced from soy consumption. Reduced osteoporosis and CVD risk - Soy can help prevent osteoporosis particularly in menopausual women by reducing the bone resorption process and can lower cholesterol reducing CVD risk. I suggest opting for non processed soy such as tofu, tempeh, soy milk and edamame. Myths Myth 1 - All soy is genetically modified. Most soy is genetically modified, however most of this is actually for animal feed, soybean oil production and used in processed foods. As long term health effects on human is not yet known, I would recommend non GMO soy. Myth 2 - Soy will give you man boobs. Soy has shown to not exert feminizing effects on men at intake levels equal to or even considerably higher than intakes typical for Asian males. One man was consuming around 3 litres of soy milk per day, exceeding recommended amounts for any food, and did experience enlarged breast tissue. Myth 3 - Soy impairs thyroid function. Soy has shown to have no effect on thyroid hormones however may raise TSH insignificantly. Myth 4 - Soy cannot replace meat as a complete protein source. Soy is a complete protein and when incorporated as part of a healthy diet with nuts, seeds, legumes, whole grains, fruits and vegetables, can indeed be used as a meat replacement. References DOI: 10.3390/nu9040324 DOI: 10.1123/ijsnem.2018-0071 DOI: 10.3390/nu10010040 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160511728 DOI: 10.1001/jama.2009.1783 DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fertnstert.2010.03.002 plantbased, healthydiet, healthyeating, eatrealfood, preventativehealth, plantbasedeating,vegansofsydney,veganfood,vegans,nutritionist,nutritionadvice,whatnutritionistseat,plantbasednutritionist,sydneynutritionist,healthyfood,plantbasedrecipes,vegannutritionist, sydneyvegannutritionist, sydneyplantbasednutritionist, bondivegannutritionist, bondiplantbasednutritionist, plantbasednutritionistaustralia, vegannutritionistaustralia, benefitsofsoyfood, soyfood,
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Iron In A Vegan DietObtaining optimal iron from a plant based diet is a common concern. Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in the world. In Western countries, energy restricted diets tend to be the cause. In developing countries, food scarcity is to blame. Insufficient iron intake is only one factor contributing to iron deficiency anaemia. Other factors include:
Plant based foods contain natural iron absorption inhibitors (discussed below), thus the recommended iron intake for vegans is 1.8 times greater than standard recommendations. For women aged 19-50, the recommended iron intake is 18 mg a day, so for vegan women it is 32.4 mg a day (1.8 x 18). This increased requirement does not consider the fact that iron absorption from non-heme iron, plant based iron, increases at times of increased need, such as pregnancy or poor intake. We will not however discuss this further here. Types of Iron Ingested iron is found in two forms, heme iron, found in animal foods, and non-heme iron, in plant foods. Non-heme iron is less readily absorbed, and can lead to lowered iron stores or lowered serum ferritin. This is actually shown to be protective against non communicable diseases, which account for 70% of deaths worldwide and are driven by unhealthy diets, smoking, lack of activity and excessive alcohol. Absorption of non-heme iron adjusts with our our needs. In contrast, heme iron is readily absorbed regardless of need, increasing risk of cardiovascular disease and certain cancers. There is no association with non-heme iron and these health risks. Increasing non-heme iron absorption Phytic acid is a phytonutrient that binds minerals, including non-heme iron, lowering absorption, and is found in grains, legumes, nuts and seeds. Phytic acid is not all that bad however as it can lower blood glucose and lipid levels, has anti-cancer and antioxidant properties and can reduce arterial calcification. 50 mg of vitamin C can enhance non-heme iron absorption sixfold in those with low iron stores to offset phytic acid. Thats about 30g of red capsicum or half a kiwi fruit or one quarter cup of orange juice. Allium foods can also diminish the effects of phytic acid by adding onion and/or garlic, sulfur compound-rich allium foods, to grains and legumes while cooking. Soaking, or activating, nuts, seeds and oats also reduces phytic acid. As with absorption of all nutrients, optimal digestion is key. This begins with fully chewing your food and eating in a relaxed state to stimulate digestive enzymes. Gastric acid is required for iron, and B12, absorption. Zinc deficiency can impair gastric acid production as can the use of proton pump inhibitors. Diet Plan See below for a one day plant based diet plan providing 40.2mg of iron, exceeding that required by women aged 19 to 50. Breakfast - Quinoa and chia raspberry pudding 2 tbsp chia seeds 0.5 cup cooked quinoa 0.5 cup raspberries 200ml soy milk Snack 20 g cashews 0.25 Cup dried apricots Lunch - Spinach with lentils.7 5 C lentils cooked 2 C spinach 1 tbsp dried thyme salt, olive oil, lemon juice and other flavours/vegetables as desired Dinner - stir fried tofu 1 C cubed tofu 1 tbsp dried thyme serve with veggies of choice (mushrooms, corn, cabbage, etc) and flavouring of choice (soy sauce, tahini, curry powder, etc.) References
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