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Avoiding Soy - What to eat instead?
Started
by Wendy Nielsen
on December 18, 2009
I am a "flirter" turned vegetarian. Six weeks now!Here's my situation - briefly. I was diagnosed with breast cancer a little over a year ago. My type of cancer was hormone positive and thus I tend to stay away from eating soy - as it can raise estrogen levels (lots of controversy over this idea but it is also mentioned in the book as well). Better safe than sorry. I have such a hard time finding non-meat products that do not contain soy. Any meat-free, soy-free products you can suggest. Anyone?BTW, 33 years old when diagnosed. No family history. Can you imagine the year I've had! Thanks!
Meat and dairy foods are more likely to stimulate excessive hormone production leading to the type of imbalances that promote hormonally driven cancer then soy. Epidemiology reveals that soy eating populations are much less likely then dairy consumers to get it. Naturally occurring soy food are associated with protection from re-occurrence, check PCRM for the research itself. These frankenstein-foods of fake meats and cheese made from soy are new inventions and are un-known, but regular traditional soy foods like tofu are not implicated in cancer eitiology. Dairy is.
You know, honestly I avoid processed soy foods, like soy meats. I find that because they are so processed, they really don't help me nutritionally--they're loaded with sodium and I never feel good after eating them. I think Quorn might be soy free...BUT I think they may use eggs, so they're not vegan.
HOWEVER, eating beans as my main protein source, I feel amazing! And I understand your desire to avoid soy, I use it sparingly--better safe than sorry--though it is an occasional treat for me, or convenience food when I'm in a hurry.
I do like the taste of soy meat products...and also, I agree with Justin, that using them is much much much safer than meat and dairy, and I think if you use them sparingly, like an every once in awhile treat, there is absolutely no reason for concern.
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