Boost Nutrition By Adding Soy To Meals
Many Products Becoming Widely Available
POSTED: 4:14 p.m. EDT September 25, 2003
There's no doubt that nutrition is an important topic for consumers, but Americans today are also faced with more time constraints than ever before. As a result, effortless food choices often prevail over healthy alternatives.
For most consumers, changing their eating habits may depend on a variety of factors: the taste of the food, the ease of preparation and whether the food is readily available and reasonably priced.
Such characteristics already exist in one humble yet powerful little bean -- the soybean.
Soy has long been regarded as having a healthful nutrient profile, since it's high in protein, fiber, and essential amino acids. In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration recognized soy's cholesterol-lowering effects and authorized a health claim for soy protein, which states that incorporating 25 grams of soy protein per day into a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Since then, food manufacturers have taken note and increased development of a wide variety of healthful, tasty and easy-to-prepare soy products that appeal to consumers.
One of the most popular soy products on the market is soymilk. Now available in a variety of flavors, including chocolate and strawberry, soymilk manufacturers have broadened their product lines to appeal to mainstream consumers. Also, because soymilk is so versatile, and because its flavor has been significantly refined, it has become a popular ingredient. Many vitamin-packed fruit smoothies are further enhanced with protein-rich soymilk.
Also updated with new flavor and texture enhancements, tofu has seen a revival in consumer markets. Tofu is readily available in two forms, regular and silken (creamy), and in either case, you can select from soft, firm or extra-firm texture and full or reduced fat.
What makes tofu so distinct is its versatility, as it absorbs the flavors of the ingredients with which it's mixed. Plus, tofu is so easy to incorporate into recipes of all kinds. Water-packed tofu has a dense, solid texture, and is available conveniently pre-packaged for quick and easy incorporation into recipes.
Try crumbling firm tofu into chili or add cubes of it to stir-fries, soups and casseroles. It's so easy to incorporate and dishes instantly receive a boost of protein and B-vitamins without sacrificing taste. Silken tofu, which has a creamy, smooth texture, makes an excellent ingredient substitute in recipes ranging from dips to dressings to ice cream.
Edamame, or sweet green soybeans, also make a nutritious addition to many types of dishes. Edamame is currently one of the hottest food trends, turning up on the menus of some of the nation's most acclaimed restaurants and at major league baseball parks. Recreational chefs can enjoy scrumptious dishes prepared with edamame right in the comfort of their own kitchens with little fuss or time commitment required.
Edamame also makes for a fun, wholesome snack. Because these soybeans are harvested early, they embody a sweet flavor that successfully stands alone. Just boil water, steam the beans for about 15 minutes and eat. It's that easy and it's delicious.
Courtesy of ARA Content
For most consumers, changing their eating habits may depend on a variety of factors: the taste of the food, the ease of preparation and whether the food is readily available and reasonably priced.
Such characteristics already exist in one humble yet powerful little bean -- the soybean.
Soy has long been regarded as having a healthful nutrient profile, since it's high in protein, fiber, and essential amino acids. In 1999, the Food and Drug Administration recognized soy's cholesterol-lowering effects and authorized a health claim for soy protein, which states that incorporating 25 grams of soy protein per day into a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may lower cholesterol and reduce the risk of heart disease. Since then, food manufacturers have taken note and increased development of a wide variety of healthful, tasty and easy-to-prepare soy products that appeal to consumers.
One of the most popular soy products on the market is soymilk. Now available in a variety of flavors, including chocolate and strawberry, soymilk manufacturers have broadened their product lines to appeal to mainstream consumers. Also, because soymilk is so versatile, and because its flavor has been significantly refined, it has become a popular ingredient. Many vitamin-packed fruit smoothies are further enhanced with protein-rich soymilk.
Also updated with new flavor and texture enhancements, tofu has seen a revival in consumer markets. Tofu is readily available in two forms, regular and silken (creamy), and in either case, you can select from soft, firm or extra-firm texture and full or reduced fat.
What makes tofu so distinct is its versatility, as it absorbs the flavors of the ingredients with which it's mixed. Plus, tofu is so easy to incorporate into recipes of all kinds. Water-packed tofu has a dense, solid texture, and is available conveniently pre-packaged for quick and easy incorporation into recipes.
Try crumbling firm tofu into chili or add cubes of it to stir-fries, soups and casseroles. It's so easy to incorporate and dishes instantly receive a boost of protein and B-vitamins without sacrificing taste. Silken tofu, which has a creamy, smooth texture, makes an excellent ingredient substitute in recipes ranging from dips to dressings to ice cream.
Edamame, or sweet green soybeans, also make a nutritious addition to many types of dishes. Edamame is currently one of the hottest food trends, turning up on the menus of some of the nation's most acclaimed restaurants and at major league baseball parks. Recreational chefs can enjoy scrumptious dishes prepared with edamame right in the comfort of their own kitchens with little fuss or time commitment required.
Edamame also makes for a fun, wholesome snack. Because these soybeans are harvested early, they embody a sweet flavor that successfully stands alone. Just boil water, steam the beans for about 15 minutes and eat. It's that easy and it's delicious.
Courtesy of ARA Content
