ARTICLE
PROTECTING YOUR GIRLS HEALTH
By: Roberta Gonzales
October 1, 2009
I have this saying for my girls, “Drink your soy to protect your girl parts.” They give me this look as though I came from planet yoohoo. But, a research study in May 2009 may prove me sane.
Much research has been done to discover the potential for soy foods to reduce the risk of cancers such as breast cancer. The recent study(1) has brought up once again, positive news.The basis of the study was on the low incidence of breast cancer in Japan. Most of the cancer research have been on isoflavones found in soy found to have hormonal and non-hormonal properties in fighting cancer. The isoflavones have been found to have protective affects that mimic early pregnancy. It was indicated that the protective effects of soy is maximized if consumption starts at a young age.
There are many soy based products in our food supply today. Tofu and tempeh are great on sandwiches and stir fry. Organic soy milk is now available in stores and bulk grocery stores. Other products such as soy cheese and ice cream are great. Not to mention just plain soybeans, my kids really love them without any seasoning, but here in Hawaii these are seasoned with soy sauce or a little garlic salt.
Soy milk, the most practical, come in a variety of forms nowadays; plain, vanilla flavored, chocolate or strawberry. Make sure to read the nutrition label to check for added sugar. It would be best to choose a brand with the least amount of sugar especially for diabetics or pre-diabetics. Below is a smoothie recipe my kids really love.
On October 25, 1999 the US Food and Drug Administration allowed a health claim for products “low in saturated fat and cholesterol.” If a product contained at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving, such as breakfast cereals, baked goods, smoothies etc. these could be sold with labels that implied benefits to cardiovascular health. That means labels claiming heart benefits have at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) considers soy protein a complete protein. According to it’s Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acids Score (PDCAAS), soy protein has a score of 1.0, which means it is equivalent to animal protein. The FDA-approved health claim for soy protein allows 25 grams of soy protein a day as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol to lower risk of heart disease. Remember to check your nutrition label to check the amount of soy protein per serving. It can range from 1 to 2 grams per serving to more than 20 grams per serving. Currently there is no FDA recommended daily allowance for isoflavones. For children older than 12 months USDA’s 2005 dietary guidelines suggest fortified soy milk as a good source of calcium. For children under 12 month’s old, a physician’s advice is needed.
As much as possible, I try to substitute soy milk or tofu in my cooking, baking and smoothies. As for my girls, protecting them as much as possible is my job. Feeding them right is always a challenge for youngsters, but with consistency and knowledge they soon adapt the right principles to protect themselves.
RECIPE
Blueberry Smoothie
1 cup frozen blueberries
2 cups vanilla soy milk
½ cup crushed ice
Blend the ingredients together until smooth and serve. Number of servings 2.
Footnotes
1. Messina, Mark and Wu, Anna H; Perspectives on the soy-breast cancer relation , American Journal of Clinical NItrition, doi:10.3945/ajcn.2009.26736V, Vol 89, No. 5, 1679S, May 2009, @2009.
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