MHVI Owners Manual . Lifestyle Management . Nutrition . Soy

Although soy was mentioned in the last section as a source of protein, it has such beneficial effects on health that it deserves additional attention. Soy comes from the bean of the soy plant and is available in many different forms. Why is it so important? Recent studies continue to give us new information on the health benefits of this plant. Soy has been shown to lower blood cholesterol levels; help in the prevention and treatment of breast and prostate cancers; help prevent osteoporosis; and, in women, help control the symptoms of menopause.

Soy comes in several forms:

Tofu is made from processed soy beans. It has a soft, cheese like appearance. The benefit of tofu is that is has little taste of its own, so it will take on the flavor of whatever is cooked with it. This makes it easy to add soy to favorite recipes without changing their taste.
Soy milk is available in a variety of flavors and fat concentrations. Soy milk works especially well in sauces, oatmeal, fruit shakes and can be used in general cooking.
TVP stands for texturized vegetable protein. When dry, TVP looks like Grape Nuts cereal, but when you include it in recipes, it cooks up like ground meat. It can be used in chili, lasagna, spaghetti, tacos, or any time you would use ground meat. It is an especially easy way to add soy to your diet.
Soy flour can replace one-fourth of the flour called for in a recipe.
Soy meat replacements are designed to taste like various meats and come in burgers, deli products, and hot dogs. Try several different types to find the ones you like best.
Tempeh is a type of soy that has been aged like cheese and comes in patties that can be used whole as a burger or cut up and included in stir-fries and other recipes.

If you have never experimented with soy, we have included recipes for you to try. We encourage you to use soy products on a regular and frequent basis. If you are allergic to peanuts, you should consult your doctor regarding the safety of eating some soy products.

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