It’s Springtime and that means new beginnings and fresh starts so I thought I would share a few myths about soy, an awesome silky potato soup recipe, and a Morning Star breakfast with you.
With Spring cleaning in high charge, isn’t it time we rejuvenated our menu? How about soy?? It is April, which is National Soyfoods Month ya know! If you are a bit skeptical or taken back, have no fear! I was right there with the majority of people who are a bit reluctant to give soy a real college try. I had heard myths about soy, a little bean, and wondered what Soy was all about. I’ve had soymilk, like Silk, before, but that was about the extent of my exposure.
I worked in a Cantonese restaurant and widen my range of soy product exposure to tofu. Now tofu was something I just KNEW I was not going to like, but my mom raised me with an open mind and so, of course, I gave it a shot. And as always, my mother was right! I totally enjoyed it, and a lot of that had to do with the way it is prepared.
I have decided to share a couple recipes that I have come up with using soymilk, like the popular brand Silk, to make a Silky Potato Soup. I also tried soybean meat replacements like Morning Star veggie patties for a different kind of breakfast. These recipes are actually in my vault of classic meals that I decided to tweak a bit with soy products. They turned out wonderful and I would love fo you to check them out and give them a try. But, first, let’s get back to the task at hand!
So with a bit of worldly curiosity under my hat, I decided I would do some old fashioned research. I had always heard tons of different things about soybean and soy products. The pros and cons of the little bean were all over the place and I needed to know the truth. So I did some research and here are some truths that I learned so that I can dispel those nasty myths.
1.) Soy isn’t a good source of protein
How wrong this is! Soybeans are a complete protein. That means they are full of amino acids that our bodies need but are unable to produce. The truer to the bean’s original form a food is, the more protein there is. What that means, that tofu, like any processed food, is lower in the nutrients than a whole bean soy product would be. Makes sense right?
2.) Soy milk is not as good as cow’s milk
Wrong again! Silk brand soy milk, which I use from time to time, has tons of calcium, Vitamin D and of course, protein. Unlike cow’s milk, soymilk is low in saturated fat AND cholesterol free. So, I would say that is another point for soy and add another point because the taste is wonderful. It’s slightly sweet and a glass of soymilk is just as refreshing as a glass of cow’s milk.
3.) Soybeans lack nutrients
This is a myth that I first heard when I was on my research journey. I was grateful to learn that this was false, VERY false. Soybeans are chalk full of nutrients and protein, fiber, omega-3 fats and tons of vitamins and minerals like folate and potassium. This little bean is stacking up to be quite a powerful little legume, don’t you think? Morning Star Veggie Patties ar full of nutrients are a great source of protein. Plus, they have tons of flavor, which most people, myself included, don’t expect. Just give my recipe a try ( listed at the end of the post.)
4.) Soy is not beneficial for kids
See: Myth # 3. There are so many beneficial nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and proteins in soybeans that it makes no sense that it wouldn’t be a bonus food to add to our kid’s meals. And, like we learned earlier, soy milk, like Silk, is full of protein and Vitamin D that are essential for productive early growth in children.
5.) Soy isn’t good for pregnant women
I don’t have children, but I do intend to have some little buggers one day. So, I look into ALL the different pregnancy myths, whether about soy or not. I heard this little doozy and crossed my fingers that it wasn’t true and “Phew” it was. Since soybean is high in protein, vitamins, minerals and nutrients, it has plenty of benefits for pregnant women. Also, with pregnancy often comes tummy problems. And, since soy milk is lactose-free, some of those tummy troubles can be avoided!
Alright, there are other myths about soybeans out there, but these were the ones that I felt were important to be addressed and disbarred! Like many, I need my coffee and I decided to mix it up. I used Silk as a creamer and “YUM!” Also, I was excited to learn more about soy and the benefits of replacing some of the meat proteins in our weekly menu at home. And, I was exuberant to substitute soy into my classic recipes. They came out just wonderfully and as far as anyone noticing anything different… Let’s just say it wasn’t an issue that I heard anything about.
I hope that you learned soy some helpful information about soy. I also hope that with this knowledge and the additional recipes that I’m sharing, you will add some soy to your meals each week! It’s worth giving it a try and changing things up is always fun and a good idea. It’s easy to get in a rut and so throwing in something new can be exciting and if you have any ideas or your own recipes I would LOVE to hear about them. Have a wonderful week, keep cooking ’cause I “soy” certainly will! hehe**
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Did you know that April’s National Soyfoods Month? The Soyfoods Association of North America wants to show customers how they can add more plant-based protein to their diets with a few easy-peasy swaps.
Tofu vs. Chicken
There is 137 calories in chicken and 69 mg of cholesterol while tofu has only 66 calories and 0mg of cholesterol.
Almond Milk vs Soymilk
Did you know Almond Milk only has 1 gram of protein while Soy Milk has 7 grams of protein? If you’re looking for an alternative to dairy milk, soy is the way to go it’s nutritionally comparable.
Peanuts vs. Dry Roasted Soynuts
WOW, peanuts have 14 grams of fat and 7 grams of protein while soynuts have 6 grams of fat and 11 grams of protein. If you’re looking for a satisfying snack you can’t go wrong with soynuts they offer better nutrition for the calories. Plus, they’re a great alternative for those with nut allergies.
French Fries vs. Steamed Edamame Pods
French fries have 365 calories and 17 grams of fat while edamame pods have 150 calories and 4 grams of fat. Try edamame for a health snack or a great side dish.
Ground Beef vs. Crumbles
Well ½ cup serving of 80/20 ground beef has 127 calories and 10 grams of fast while crumbles has only 70 calories nd 2 grams of fast. Crumbles are a great alternative to hamburger meat and when you add them in soups, tacos, spaghetti, burritos you hardly tell a difference and there is not any saturated fat or cholesterol. Yepie…
