by Lauren Plunkett, RDN LD CDCES as appeared in Minnesota Veg Living, Issue 10
Aprile 25, 2024
Soy foods such as tempeh, soy milk, soy nuts, tofu, and miso are staple items for people of all ages and cultures worldwide. Despite humans thriving on a variety of soy-based foods for centuries, misconceptions about soy are commonplace when choosing a plant-predominant diet. Even long-term ambassadors of a vegan lifestyle can feel conflicted about the benefits of soy, depending on their source of information.
Let’s explore three popular myths circulating about soy to set the record straight.
Myth 1: Soy is unhealthy.
Soybeans are an ancient food utilized in various cultures worldwide, providing a long-standing source of protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals. The earliest documentation of the therapeutic value of soybeans, as noted in The Yellow Emperor’s Classic of Medicine, dates back over 2000 years.
Numerous scientific studies have since supported soy as a nutrient-rich food for maintaining health. Moreover, in the United States, less than 0.7% of the population is allergic to soy, making whole soybeans a healthy, accessible, and versatile food.