The Joy of Soy
Nicole Jean, RD, LDN

One cannot escape hearing about all the benefits of this almost magical food called Soy. There is mounting evidence that Soy may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, breast cancer, prostate cancer, osteoporosis, while alleviating the symptoms of menopause and contributing to our intake of fiber, protein and iron.

Incorporating Soy into my diet has not been easy. My first attempt consisted of trying to drink plain soymilk (Big mistake! …It went down the drain, fast!). I was then advised by a friend to try flavored soymilk (It comes in vanilla, chocolate, almond, strawberry…). May I say that things went much better... but I still had to experiment with different brands of soymilk until I found one that I could enjoy.

My favorite soy drink is now my very own Café au Lait, made with soymilk, or shall we call it "Café au Soy".

To try it, mix: 3/4 cup of warm soymilk, 1/4 cup of coffee, 1 teaspoon of sugar

Enjoying Tofu proved to be a small challenge. I have at last found a way to make it tasty. I call it my very own "Tofu Creole".

I use - leftover stock or sauce from stewed chicken or turkey

- 1 lb. of tofu, firm or extra firm

I cut the tofu in 8 pieces; sprinkle it with a little salt, pepper, hot pepper, and let it stand 2 hours or overnight in the refrigerator.

I sauté the tofu in a little olive oil, then add the chicken or turkey sauce, as well as any other ingredient that can be added to chicken (onions, tomato, garlic, tomato sauce, more hot pepper…). I let it simmer 5 to 10 minutes and serve it over Rice.

Not bad at all. Honest!

In addition, I have used Soy Butter (similar in taste to Peanut Butter, but nuttier), Roasted Soy Nuts as a snack, and Soy based vegetable burgers.

There are many more choices of soy products. Soymilk and Tofu can be found at any large supermarket. Other products are usually found at a health food store.

Why not give Soy a try today?

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Nicole Jean is a Registered Dietitian who practices currently in Florida.