Soy Products
Soybeans are grown on farms in the United States and abroad. Its nuts, oil and protein is used to make a wide variety of products ranging from meat alternatives to oil to milk. Soy products are primarily consumed in Eastern cultures, but they are gaining in popularity in the United States and other Western cultures due to a the growing desire of more Americans to find ways to eat healthier. Manufacturers are adding soy to new products all the time.
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Types
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Soybean oil and soy protein can be fortified into products that do not traditionally contain soy such as breakfast cereal. Soy products can also be primarily made of soy. Some of these products include soy milk, tempeh, tofu, miso and soy protein isolate. These products are available in different varieties such as firm, silken, flavored, unflavored, whole and sliced.
Benefits
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A diet rich in soy can help to reduce menopause symptoms such as hot flashes. Eating soy protein can also help to lower bad cholesterol without having a negative affect on good cholesterol. In fact, it can lower cholesterol by up to 10%. For every 1% that soy protein lowers total cholesterol, there is reduction in heart disease risk of 2%. Therefore, eating soy protein can potentially lower the risk of heart disease by 20%. Not only is soy protein good for cholesterol, but it also beneficial for lowering blood fats.
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Warning
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Food products that contain soy protein also contain a chemical called phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens are basically a plant form of the hormone, estrogen. This is what makes them beneficial for relieving menopause symptoms. Therefore, before introducing soy protein into the diet of a teenage or pre-teen girl, it's best to consult a doctor or a registered dietitian.
Incorporation
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For those that don't wish to eat traditional soy food products, some forms of soy can be mixed into other recipes so it's virtually undetectable. One such product is soy protein isolate. It is a powder that comes in a can that can be scooped and mixed into soups, sauces, shakes and chili. People who enjoy the taste of soy products can simply substitute soy products in any recipe in place of meat or protein foods such as beef, chicken and eggs.
Soy for Vegetarians
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Vegetarians may find it hard to get enough protein in the diet, but soy can be a viable alternative. Many traditional foods are available in an alternative forms. For example, instead of hamburger, corn dogs, and cow's milk, vegetarians can choose soy burgers, meatless corn dogs, and soy milk. There's even a soy peanut butter alternative called soy nut butter.
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