Diary of a Nutritionist

I am always asked the question… “What about soy?”

Plain and simple– I do not like soy.

At all.

As a recovering soy addict… I invite you to read this article, before you order another Low Fat Soy Latte…

Ten Reasons to Avoid Soy.

1.  Soy is not a cure

Did you ever wonder who funds those studies that tout soy as a wonder food?  Funny story, there are organized “boards” for that stuff.  The United Soybean Board funded research that linked soy protein consumption with a reduced risk of heart disease.  They are also partially funding a study that looks at the role of soy and prostate cancer (1).  (There are also boards for almonds, walnuts, milk, olive oil… etc. etc.).

Soy, (and food, in general), is not a cure all… there is not one magical berry, oil, or bean that will cure all of our ailments.  However, these foods are often marketed to us, as such, and we end up consuming lots of these magical products, instead of making sensible lifestyle changes, in our diet (like avoiding the fried chicken, or cheese puffs, and adding more veggies).

2.  Marketing soy as a “health food” – Who Benefits?

Of the USDA’s, thirteen committee members, “seven [have] ties to either the food or drug companies (or both), or have received funding from such companies (2).”  Now… when the USDA is the one telling us to consume 3 cups of milk per day… isn’t that a bit suspicious?  It would be like me owning stock in flax seed oil, and telling you to have one tbsp, with every meal.  The point being, you should always question any “wonder food” that is being aggressively marketed.

3.  Soy is processed, processed, processed.

The soy products found on our super market shelves are rarely in their raw, or natural form.  The point being… even if a soy bean was to be a “healthy” source of protein… the soy products more commonly see, are treated and processed– processed is not a good thing.  In order to produce soy products, like soy milk, the soy is heated to extremely high temperatures, making it “unnatural,” and then pumped with preservatives, stabilizers, and sweeteners.

4.  Soy is very difficult for the body to break down, and digest.

Soybeans contain enzymes inhibitors.  Enzyme inhibitors, inhibit the enzymes needed for protein digestion.  Soybeans are a source of protein, yet they contain a substance that does let the body break down this protein.  This causes stress on the body, and will cause bloat, indigestion, constipation, etc. in some form or another.  *(Fermented (organic) soy products are not as difficult to digest).

5.  Say hello to sinus problems.  Soy is mucus forming.

Because soy is so difficult for the body to digest and breakdown, it aggravates our body’s delicate system, and leaves a sticky residue (like mucus), that coats our gastrointestinal tracts, and therefore slows the body’s natural flow (digestive and respiratory).  This leads to excess mucus, which then contributes to sinus infections, asthma, colds, IBS, and other digestive issues, etc. (3)

6.  Soy can inhibit the absorption of precious minerals.

Soy is high in phytic acid.  Phytates, like those found in grains, inhibit the body’s absorption of calcium, magnesium, iron and zinc.

7.  Soy is genetically modified.

Unless the soy product is labeled as organic, it is most likely genetically modified, and treated with herbicides.   When something is genetically modified, it means that its original chemical makeup is altered, so that it can resist toxic fertilizers—and thus farmers can grow more, and more, cheap soy!  (Um… these fertilizers may not kill the soybean… but we are the lucky ones that get to eat that stuff).

8.  Soy has the ability to alter hormonal levels.

Soy contains phyto-estrogens.  These compounds mimic human estrogens.  Anything that has the ability to disrupt the normal functioning of the endocrine system is not a winner is my book.

9.  Soy is contaminated with chemicals.

Soy is a “commodity crop.”  When farmland is used to grow only one or two crops, it is called monoculture.  “Monoculture doesn’t return nutrients to the soil, so it can’t be effective without the chemical fertilizers (4).”  (Once again, this means more chemicals for us!)

10.  Soy has a negative impact on the earth.  “Globally, 90 percent of soy meal is fed to animals (5).”  What does this mean?  Soy is not being grown to supply us with an endless amount of edamame (soybeans).  Soy is not being grown to feed our hungry bellies, and stave off world hunger.  Soy is being grown in order to inexpensively fatten up animals for slaughter.

Soy leaves behind a giant ecological footprint, because of our societies demand for cheap meat.

Additionally, large amount of chemical fertilizers are required to sustain these enormous monoculture farmlands.  In order to get these fertilizers, fossil fuels must be refined, and transported long distances (4).

Translation:  Energy. Energy. Energy.  Being consumed. Consumed.  Consumed.

If we were to instead use that farmland to grow produce, that we could actually hold in our hands, and eat… our health would improve, as would the condition of our earth, all the while diminishing world hunger.

* I would just like to point out that someone who substitutes a soy burger, for a hamburger patty, is being more eco-friendly.

Summary:

- Soy is not a health food and it slows down the body’s natural flow—leading to all sorts of digestive, skin, weight, and respiratory problems.

- Soy is not good for weight loss.

- Soy can affect our endocrine systems—and thus alter our hormones.

- Soy is generally, genetically modified, and chemical ridden.

- Soy is not eco-friendly.

Other articles that may be of interest:

The Raw Truth: All About Soy

The Ploy of Soy

Works Cited

Food Matters, by Mark Bittman:  (1) page 60, (2) page 50, (4) page 25, (5) page 24

The Raw Food Detox Diet, by Natalia Rose: (3) page 29

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