April 7, 2017
Tofu – a word that comes up in topic of many die-hard carnivores, long-time vegetarians and everyone in-between. More than ever it is becoming a normal food option on restaurant menus and substitution for animal products in recipes. Controversy over “tofu” and whether it is good or bad for you arose in many conversations I have had and I wanted to get to the bottom of this.
First, what is tofu?
Tofu, made from coagulating soy milk and can be thought of as pressed soy protein. Flavour wise it can be noted as a bland tasting product that absorbs flavours of other ingredients easily. It is an excellent source of all 9 essential amino acids, iron and calcium. It also has a significant amount of manganese, selenium, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, zinc, and vitamin B1 making it a high-nutrient dense food.
Many myths on tofu consumption have left the majority of the population confused on whether it is good OR bad for you. I firmly believe that there are two major rules about eating soy products – quality AND quantity. Soybeans, which are one of the most genetically modified crops in the world, can make it difficult to find a soy product such as tofu, with the nutritional value it should have.
Many companies that are mass producing their products have begun to spray with harmful pesticides to meet high demands, unfortunately this has left soybeans to be one of the highest levels of pesticide contamination of all foods. With most of our soy options being highly processed it can make consumption of tofu not a good thing. The first step in choosing the right soy product such as tofu, always buy organic to eliminate genetically modified, sprayed food.
Secondly, we all need to note that over consumption of ANYTHING can have harmful affects. If you’re substituting all other protein intake with tofu then you may be consuming too much.
Swapping out animal products with tofu can be a great vegetarian protein option but should not be your main protein source. Incorporating soy products like tofu into your weekly diet can be beneficial however refrain from over indulgence and my recommendation would be not everyday. For optimal health, a variety of wholesome foods is key so our bodies can thrive off many vitamins and minerals.
