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Are soy foods good for you?

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Hello there and thank you for your question!

Soy foods are generally a good source of nutrition. They are made from soybeans, which are rich in protein, fiber and healthy fats (1). Recent studies suggest soy can provide health benefits and can be safely consumed in moderate amounts for most people (1, 2). However, the effects of soy can vary person to person and more research is needed to determine other possible effects of eating soy (2). I encourage you to seek advice from your doctor or healthcare provider to discuss how much soy is safe and appropriate for you if you are taking medication and living with a health condition, specifically hypothyroidism.

Substituting animal protein with soy foods a few times a week may provide heart healthy benefits, such as lowering cholesterol (1, 2). Soy can be found in many foods, but the most nutritious forms of soy are natural and minimally processed. Some examples include tofu, soy milk, edamame, and tempeh. Try some of our recipes featuring soy this week: 

Hope this helps!



Cheers,

Anna Ng, RD 

 

Reference:

1. "Soy Foods." Cleveland Clinic. Updated December 2014. Accessed December 2020. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/17491-soy-foods

2. Straight Talk About Soy.” Harvard School of Public Health. Accessed December 2020. www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/soy

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Jennifer WeissmanRegistered Dietitian

“Funded by USDA SNAP, an equal opportunity provider and employer. Visit http://calfreshhealthyliving.org for healthy tips.”