a snack so good people even eat the wrapperWhat is soy?
According to the National Institutes of Health, soy is a plant in the pea family that has been common in Asian diets for thousands of years. It is found in modern American diets as a food or food additive. It is a good source of protein. People use soy products to prevent or treat a variety of health conditions, including high cholesterol levels, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, osteoporosis, memory problems, high blood pressure, breast cancer and prostate cancer.
Certified nutritionist Michelle Cave practices what she teaches. The Redding resident tells others about the importance of serving nutritious food, and that's what she does for her family.
Soy products are a part of her family's well-rounded diet.
"I've been cooking with soy for the last 10 to 12 years," Cave said. "It's a very nutritious food."
That's because it is an excellent source of protein and has other health advantages. Based on dozens of clinical studies, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has said that soy may reduce the risk of heart disease.
But researchers are concerned that isoflavones, a weak form of estrogen, could produce detrimental side effects in some populations if consumed too frequently, so Cave said she serves tofu in moderation.
Christine Lewis of the Center for Food Safety said, "Soy by itself is not a magic food, but rather it is an example of the different kinds of foods that together in a complete diet can have a positive effect on health."
Cave uses soy in a variety of forms when cooking for her family.
"Probably the most popular form is tofu," Cave said. "I use firm tofu in stir-fries and sautes and I blend soft tofu in smoothies and puddings."
Tofu is refrigerated and, depending on the store, may be found in the organic section, displayed with alternative meats or sometimes with specialty products, such as Asian wonton wrappers.
Wherever the product is found, Cave said that it's important to check the date on the package. "Tofu doesn't have a long shelf life," she said.
One of the more popular uses for tofu in the Cave household is in place of eggs in a Mexican or curry scramble.
"This is a great way to fit it in," Cave said, noting that it's even popular with her two elementary school-age children.
Soy is bland, so Cave said it's important to add flavor. That's why tofu is often used in stir-fry dishes because it absorbs the spices and other sauces. Tofu is often offered as an alternative to pork and chicken at Asian restaurants.
Tempeh is a teriyaki tofu that has already been grilled. Cave purchases it already prepared. "It's easy to cut up and put in salads," Cave said.
She is also a fan of soy chorizo, an alternative to the traditional sausage. She uses it in tacos and scrambles it with eggs. Soy is used in a number of meat alternatives, including hot dogs and veggie burgers.
Cave's daughter is somewhat lactose intolerant, so soy milk is rotated with rice, oat and rye milks in their household.
In addition to main dishes, Cave uses soy products as snacks. Edamame is created when the soy bean is parboiled in salted water. The seeds are squeezed directly into the mouth. Soy nuts are another fun treat. "It's a great way to eat them," Cave said.
She also purchases soy crisps, which are similar to rice cakes, and tucks them in her children's lunchboxes.
a snack so good people even eat the wrapper
