Is Soy Truly Bad For You?

FlaxMilk

I have no agenda against soy. I've been a vegetarian for more of my life than not, and I really love soy products. Tofu burgers, soy milk, soy nuts, soy protein powders, soy protein burgers, tofu in stir fries--I love it all.

Unfortunately, when I consume a lot of soy at once, I get hormonal issues. I discovered this on accident when I decided to experiment with lower calorie non-dairy milks and wasn't buying premade vegetarian products. I wasn't trying to see if soy affected me or not, it wasn't even on my radar, so I don't think there's any self-fulfilling prophecies going on. The problems I was experiencing cleared up quite a bit when I wasn't consuming soy. I recently was eating too much of it again because it was an easy protein fix, and the problems came back.

What I do now is try to reserve soy for cravings--I will buy a pack of tofu burgers when I really want them, and I'll buy a soy latte when I'm out or get soy protein powder if I buy a smoothie. But for home, I buy other non-dairy milks and yogurts and use other protein sources and protein powders. I'm not going to not get awesomely prepared tofu when I'm out to dinner, and I'll never stop getting soy milk in coffee drinks (that I don't make myself at home). So I just don't keep it around me at home to provide some balance.

Bragg's Liquid Aminos tastes exactly like soy sauce with no soy. Make any swaps you can like that if you think soy is an issue for you.

bcf7683

It's not "BAD" for you....

But you will find that many people choose not to consume it (and corn) due to the "GMO/political/as$hats at Monsanto" reasoning behind it.

This is misinformation. GMO soy is used for food additives. You'll get more of it by eating processed foods that make no mention of soy on the labels. Things like soy milk, tofu, miso, edamame, etc. are not GMO.

If you want to avoid the Monsanto GMO soy you need to give up junk food, not soy foods.

I don't believe that I delved into any information that would further classify my hatred towards Monsanto (or certain soy-containing foods). I was simply answering a question and trying to shed some light as to why many people choose not to consume stated foods or why they would be getting a bad reputation (along with the estrogen issues stated by many before me).

But, since we're all here... How do you know that the foods you mentioned are not GMO? Not all soy products on the shelves are labeled "organic" (I won't even get started on the organic classification loopholes). Did you raise that soy yourself?... And, if you did, where did your seeds come from? Because odds are they're from a Monsanto company. Unless you're in the business of heirloom seeds. Which many aren't.

Go to your local grower on the side of the road and ask where their seeds came from and you'll get a look like you're from outer space (believe me, I've tried, multiple locations). The fact the Monsanto is quietly buying out many of the seed companies in the US (and many growers are oblivious) is alarming. So THAT'S the reasoning for my above statement.... I don't see it as an agenda, I see it as keeping myself informed.

upscalelifedownscalebutt

Have you tried fermented soy products? Some are quite yummy.

North America consumes enormous amounts of soy as food additives, so chances are if you eat any prepackaged foods you already consume a fair amount of soy. Tofu, etc in North America can be GMO, and is usually marked if it isn't. In Canada, not sure about the US or other places, organic products cannot be GMO, or be grown within a certain distance of GMO crops.

Soy does have things that act like estrogen, but it is not the only food item that does. I think if eaten in excess they could, and do, cause health problems. Again this is a fairly common issue. Water in excess causes health problems. Breathing in excess causes health problems.

I can't remember the study, but it showed a small increase in breast cancer and another type of cancer (bowel maybe?), but a decrease in other cancers. The fermented type showed a decrease in many kinds of cancers and no significant increase in any kinds. It was the same study that pointed out that North America consumes more soy than Asia. Which I found interesting.

FreyasRebirth

If you're eating unfermented soy there are also anti-nutrients you have to deal with.

Wildflower0106

Soy is bad for some people. Like me, I have an intolerance to soy. I can tolerate very small amounts, but usually both soy and dairy cause me a lot of problems. I bloat, I get horrible cramps, bad headaches, I feel exhausted and I start to lactate. Soy isn't bad for everyone but there are people who need to avoid it when possible. If it doesn't effect you negatively then you should be fine.

bcattoes

It's not "BAD" for you....

But you will find that many people choose not to consume it (and corn) due to the "GMO/political/as$hats at Monsanto" reasoning behind it.

This is misinformation. GMO soy is used for food additives. You'll get more of it by eating processed foods that make no mention of soy on the labels. Things like soy milk, tofu, miso, edamame, etc. are not GMO.

If you want to avoid the Monsanto GMO soy you need to give up junk food, not soy foods.

I don't believe that I delved into any information that would further classify my hatred towards Monsanto (or certain soy-containing foods). I was simply answering a question and trying to shed some light as to why many people choose not to consume stated foods or why they would be getting a bad reputation (along with the estrogen issues stated by many before me).

But, since we're all here... How do you know that the foods you mentioned are not GMO? Not all soy products on the shelves are labeled "organic" (I won't even get started on the organic classification loopholes). Did you raise that soy yourself?... And, if you did, where did your seeds come from? Because odds are they're from a Monsanto company. Unless you're in the business of heirloom seeds. Which many aren't.

Go to your local grower on the side of the road and ask where their seeds came from and you'll get a look like you're from outer space (believe me, I've tried, multiple locations). The fact the Monsanto is quietly buying out many of the seed companies in the US (and many growers are oblivious) is alarming. So THAT'S the reasoning for my above statement.... I don't see it as an agenda, I see it as keeping myself informed.

The label on all soy that I buy says both organic and non-GMO. I can't even find a brand of soy milk, tofu or edamame that isn't organic and non-GMO. How do you know that anything in the store is what it says it is?

I've never seen soy for sale on the side of the road or in my local farmer's market. But I don't live in a big city.