Is soya bad for your health?

[abrennan]

Barmy, that's not the half of it!!!:D

[treehugga]

I'm not sure if this is in the right place so feel free to move it.

The other day a retailer selling protein products informed me that soy products including milk were very bad for your health, in fact he described them as poison! The only exceptions were tempe and a few brands of tofu.

He said soy has only been used in small amounts in Asian countries, not to the extend we use it eg on a daily basis. He quoted a scientific research article, but I have forgotten the title.

Another frightening fact, was that he said soy companies are owned by the dairy industry.

Can someone clarify this as it is quite alarming if it is true?

[Seaside]

Soy products are big business, so it is hard to get unbiased information on soy from the pro soy folks or the con soy folks. Before there was such a huge market for all kinds of soy based meat and dairy facsimiles, soy was known as a common allergenic food, along with eggs, wheat, citrus, etc. Some people think it suppresses thyroid function, but there are lots of healthy foods that do the same thing, like broccoli and cabbage. I would look at studies made before soy became such a widespread food ingredient, especially studies on the inclusion of tofu and tempeh in the diets of Asian people. They have been eating these foods for hundreds of years, and I would trust older studies on this, since they wouldn't be tainted by the modern bias that the soy industry would have for promoting soy, and the anti-vegan bias for condemning it as a viable dietary protein.

If you know you are allergic to soy, stay away from it. Lots of vegans never use soy. I use very little soy myself. But I don't avoid it either. The only concern I would have is for a new vegan who, prior to becoming vegan, ate an Atkin's style diet, low in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, thinking that they could just switch to soy based meats, cheeses, and milk, and still not eat enough whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

[eve]

this topic has been covered extensively on this forum. But the upshot is that one should avoid eating too much of any one item.

As for dairy soy companies being owned by the dairy industry - well dairy companies have obviously lost a lot of $$$ by people turning to soymilk, so some of them opened a sideline of soymilk. That sideline has become quite considerable, but the two products are kept quite separate.

Finally I would take a huge pinch of sale with any retailer telling me that soy products including milk were very bad for your health, in fact ... poison! Does he sell that poison?

[treehugga]

He promotes rice protein as being the only safe source. He actually promotes and prefers the use of nuts and seeds etc as a natural protein source.

I would like to know which dairy companies also include soy and there names so I could avoid them.

Grateful for any feedback.

Apologies for not noticing the soy thread. I did a quick scan and was pushed for time. Will check out the previous articles.

[treehugga]

Soy products are big business, so it is hard to get unbiased information on soy from the pro soy folks or the con soy folks. Before there was such a huge market for all kinds of soy based meat and dairy facsimiles, soy was known as a common allergenic food, along with eggs, wheat, citrus, etc. Some people think it suppresses thyroid function, but there are lots of healthy foods that do the same thing, like broccoli and cabbage. I would look at studies made before soy became such a widespread food ingredient, especially studies on the inclusion of tofu and tempeh in the diets of Asian people. They have been eating these foods for hundreds of years, and I would trust older studies on this, since they wouldn't be tainted by the modern bias that the soy industry would have for promoting soy, and the anti-vegan bias for condemning it as a viable dietary protein.

If you know you are allergic to soy, stay away from it. Lots of vegans never use soy. I use very little soy myself. But I don't avoid it either. The only concern I would have is for a new vegan who, prior to becoming vegan, ate an Atkin's style diet, low in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, thinking that they could just switch to soy based meats, cheeses, and milk, and still not eat enough whole grains, fruits and vegetables.

I'm not concerned about allergies in my own case. more the possible drastic impact on health like cancer etc.

I was told that eating traditional soy products in small quantities should be ok as has been shown by a number of countries, apparently it is the large amounts consumed regulary that is the issue ie smoothies etc, that cause a health risk. The retailer believed it is connected to the modern manufacturing processes soy now goes through.

[treehugga]

Eve does 'The China Study' discuss this? I'm buying it anyway, but just curious.

[eve]

Sorry treehugga, I honestly can't recall, but the book certainly didn't encourage me to give up soy. I'm not a huge eater of anything really, except fruit and vegies, but I do drink some soymilk every day, which tastes delicious, and a few times a week I make a soy dish. You will love The China Study - did you see the interview with the author in the current issue of Vegan Voice?

[Jacqui]

He promotes rice protein as being the only safe source. He actually promotes and prefers the use of nuts and seeds etc as a natural protein source.

I would like to know which dairy companies also include soy and there names so I could avoid them.

Grateful for any feedback
I just posted this on a yoghurt thread, I was shocked too.
Soy life www.parmalat.com.au (http://www.parmalat.com.au) :confused:

[treehugga]

Sorry treehugga, I honestly can't recall, but the book certainly didn't encourage me to give up soy. I'm not a huge eater of anything really, except fruit and vegies, but I do drink some soymilk every day, which tastes delicious, and a few times a week I make a soy dish. You will love The China Study - did you see the interview with the author in the current issue of Vegan Voice?

Thanks Eve.

Yes I did read the article in Vegan Voice and it convinced me the book would be essential to add to my collection. You can never have enough info on dietry issues and the author sounds unbiased too, which is a plus.

I have been looking into soy products and now would not touch anything with added soy protein, such as sports products, as it is manufactured with solvents.

Soy life soy milk is owned by parmalat dairy company, but so far I think Bon soy is ok.

There is also a suspicion that Vitasoy, which I often drink, is owned by Cocacola. I am going to ring them and check later today. I hope this isn't
true!

From what I have read recently in an old copy of a Vegetarian magazine, most of the bad for you ingredients in soy are killed off during the heating process leaving a relatively harmless product with many benefits. Most of the negative studies have included the reactions of mice and rats to a product that had not undergone the heat treatment.

I'll keep digging and keep all informed. It would be good if we supported the authentic soy people and not the greedy multicorps ie meat and dairy.

[eve]

vegetarian magazines are not the best sources of info, after all they do support the meat and dairy industries by supporting the dairy industry (knowing that the calves taken from the cow are put into crates as vealers).

I've not heard that vitasoy is owned by coca-cola - I drink vitasoy's 'So Milky' and just clicked on their website at http://www.vitasoy.com.au/aboutHome.html and can't see any connection to coca-cola, but you can read for yourself their joint ownership with National Foods Ltd.

I agree with your para: I have been looking into soy products and now would not touch anything with added soy protein, such as sports products, as it is manufactured with solvents.

[treehugga]

Vitasoy appear to be owned by Pauls dairy company. I tried to call them and was put on hold forever listening to advertisments for Pauls low fat milk and Yoghurt and ice cream. In the end I gave up and hung up it was fairly obvious they are connected to Pauls :( .

[eve]

No it is not owned by Pauls dairy co. Vitasoy is a joint venture between Vitasoy International and National Foods Ltd. The joint venture built a state of the art soymilk production facility in Wodonga, Vic and began production in October 2001.

National Foods is a wholly owned subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation. It is one of Australia 's largest food companies, with activities in milk, fresh dairy foods, juice and specialty cheese. Their flagship is Pura milk. Pura MilkVitasoy International has production facilities in Hong Kong, China, Australia and the US.

[Jacqui]

I have been looking into soy products and now would not touch anything with added soy protein, such as sports products, as it is manufactured with solvents.

Sorry if this is a silly question.
What did you mean by sports products?

I'd be interested in a 'non dairy corporation' soy milk if you find one.
I have been using 'so good' but got some 'vitasoy' today to try, I just did a search and got www.natfoods.com.au (http://www.natfoods.com.au) . Is seems a lot are owned by dairy companies, I had no idea.:(

[Seaside]

I think sports products are those protein powder drinks that are supposed to build muscle if you use them while you are working out.

Here is a recipe for homemade soymilk that doesn't require one of those special machines:

http://soy.bryandeno.com/

[englishvegoboi]

I'd be interested in a 'non dairy corporation' soy milk if you find one.
(

The answer to your question is bonsoy. It is slightly more expensive than most brands of soy milk but well worth the extra price. For starters it does not contain added vegetable oil and other nasties and is totally organic. Check out www.spiralfoods.com.au

[eve]

thanks for that englishvegoboi, I've seen Bonsoy around, and tomorrow will buy a carton to see if I like the taste! :) I do buy other Spiral foods.

[Jacqui]

Here is a recipe for homemade soymilk that doesn't require one of those special machines:

http://soy.bryandeno.com/
Thanks for the link.:) Do you make your own from this recipe?

[Jacqui]

The answer to your question is bonsoy. It is slightly more expensive than most brands of soy milk but well worth the extra price. For starters it does not contain added vegetable oil and other nasties and is totally organic. Check out www.spiralfoods.com.au (http://www.spiralfoods.com.au)
Thankyou. I did find bonsoy in the supermarket last week after someone had mentioned it, I think it said it was made in Japan????? I am trying to buy as much Aussie made as I can, any good Aussie made companies?

[englishvegoboi]

Yes it is made in Japan and that is the one drawback. Drinking bonsoy does have a higher ecological footprint than drinking Aussie made soya milk.

However in this era of globalisation, trade between countries is with us to stay for a long time. Therefore I believe it is better that we support the importation of high quality vegan products (which bonsoy certainly is) to help ensure that international trade becomes as green and vegan friendly as possible. I have yet to come across an Aussie soy milk that comes even reemotely close to bonsoy in quality. I have taken to cutting back on soy milk in recent times and instead use almond milk and quinoa milk. This is imported from Spain :( and is very expensive. The truth is we could manufacture our own almond milk here in Australia from locally grown almonds and start a whole new industry....but these are not enlightened times that we live in. Otherwise I do buy Aussie stuff whenever possible..... but I will be supporting England in the soccer world cup :)

[treehugga]

No it is not owned by Pauls dairy co. Vitasoy is a joint venture between Vitasoy International and National Foods Ltd. The joint venture built a state of the art soymilk production facility in Wodonga, Vic and began production in October 2001.

National Foods is a wholly owned subsidiary of San Miguel Corporation. It is one of Australia 's largest food companies, with activities in milk, fresh dairy foods, juice and specialty cheese. Their flagship is Pura milk. Pura MilkVitasoy International has production facilities in Hong Kong, China, Australia and the US.

I think I actually meant to say Pura. Anyway if you ring the 1800 no on the carton the message advertises dairy products. I am really disappointed about that as it means I have been continuing to support dairy co's.

I think I will pay the price and stick to Bonsoy. Aussie's Own may be ok, but I can't handle the taste!

[treehugga]

thanks for that englishvegoboi, I've seen Bonsoy around, and tomorrow will buy a carton to see if I like the taste! :) I do buy other Spiral foods.

You will love the taste I'm sure. I find even dairy drinkers can handle this one.

[treehugga]

Sorry if this is a silly question.
What did you mean by sports products?

I'd be interested in a 'non dairy corporation' soy milk if you find one.
I have been using 'so good' but got some 'vitasoy' today to try, I just did a search and got www.natfoods.com.au (http://www.natfoods.com.au) . Is seems a lot are owned by dairy companies, I had no idea.:(

Sorry, yes sports products are tins of powdered protein, usually either whey or soy and some are rice.

They are used to assist with muscle development and either gaining or losing weight (ie substituting food for weight loss or adding to diet for weight gain). You need to careful as too much protein can cause health probs.

I'm a fitness freak currently undertaking a 12 week challenge, so was interested in something that would assist with using weights at the gym.

Instead of these evil powders I am using a vegan blend of nuts, seeds. lecithin etc made by a local naturapath which I blend in a smoothie.

[Seaside]

Thanks for the link.:) Do you make your own from this recipe?
No, I have a recipe which uses soy flour, but I can't find it, so I did a search. I actually don't use soy milk much anymore, as I love nut milks. I have made my own almond milk from raw, sprouted almonds, and it is delicious, without any additions. The solids left over made a very delicious thick cream, too. :)

[Jacqui]

Yes it is made in Japan and that is the one drawback. Drinking bonsoy does have a higher ecological footprint than drinking Aussie made soya milk.

However in this era of globalisation, trade between countries is with us to stay for a long time. Therefore I believe it is better that we support the importation of high quality vegan products (which bonsoy certainly is) to help ensure that international trade becomes as green and vegan friendly as possible. I have yet to come across an Aussie soy milk that comes even reemotely close to bonsoy in quality. I have taken to cutting back on soy milk in recent times and instead use almond milk and quinoa milk. This is imported from Spain :( and is very expensive. The truth is we could manufacture our own almond milk here in Australia from locally grown almonds and start a whole new industry....but these are not enlightened times that we live in. Otherwise I do buy Aussie stuff whenever possible..... but I will be supporting England in the soccer world cup :) Thanks again for all the information. I have decided to try some bon soy. I don't drink much soy milk anyway, and will cut back even more now. Maybe hassle some Aussie companies to get their fingers out and make us some great milk.
But for Cliff sake, England in the soccer:eek: :D