Your comment on tofu...

[cherryohs]

Do you think tofu is good to have in a diet that's 80% raw.

I like that it can be a meat substitute, but I'd like a raw-foodist perspective on the item.

[misslinda]

Myself, being that it is not 100% raw I would not incorporate in my choices but even if I was high raw, I am against all soy products period for many health conditions/symptoms etc related to soy.

:)

[robertandenith]

we eat it in moderation. I mean, it is better than meat products right? so we eat tofu twice a week :) I used to eat chix or turkey everyday and making this option for twice a week, I think it is great for the transition or if you want to replace the meat ;)

[swingbolder]

I know soy has gotten a bad rap lately, but I know so many people who eat tofu on a regular basis who haven't developed all the health problems it's supposed to cause so I don't know what to think. I would say it it works for you, then continue to eat it. I would make sure it's organic, non-GMO soy, though.

[rawfigure]

I do not eat Soy as it is not Raw, but even if I were to eat some cooked foods I would not eat Soy. I find I get food sensitivity symptoms when I eat Soy. (racing heart and hot ears and Palms, then gut ache and gas) nice huh ? I think even if Soy could be eaten Raw I would not.


So really we all have our things we will and will not eat so you choose.

[michigan roman]

i was a strict vegan eating only simple raw or cooked plant matter for 14 years before going raw around 8 months ago and what i think on the topic is that tofu is not an option , that opinion arrived at by my senses of taste and scent . and that if you are still going to eat cooked and are looking for a protein source a decent way to go is dry beans and brown rice as a staple . my favorite filling dry beans were large (not small their not as good to me ) lima beans and kidney beans . this is also very cost effective :)

[Tirza]

My concerns about soy...

I was a very dedicated soy eater. We didn't want to eat animal products. I thought I was doing myself a favour by trying to prevent the need to use Hormone replacement therapy when menopause arrived. Soy milk, Tofu, Soy Beans, Tempeh, Miso, Soy Sauce, Soy Oil, any way I could get it and I made much of it myself. I used it for years and was a very vocal proponent of the benefits of soy as opposed to dairy and meat. I too really believed that it was helping rather than harming me, since I seemed to be the picture of health (other than a pesky weight gain AFTER I became a vegan).

I never did experience any menopause symptoms, but I did experience abnormal bleeding at 56. After testing, it was found that I had endometrial cancer of the uterus. One complete hysterectomy (uterus, ovaries, fallopian tubes, cervix) later... a malignant tumour was found in one ovary as well.

I was told that these things could possibly have been activated by an
abundance of female hormones. Perhaps caused by soy?

Speculation? - I don't know. I am no scientist so I hesitate to make such a
statement as I don't want to cause possibly unwarranted fears (nor to bring any wrath down upon myself). But personally, I just wouldn't want to take that chance again by eating so much soy if I had been aware of this concern before.

I notice that so many prepared manufactured foods contain some form of soy. It seems to be all over, and not only in food. I have had tofu a few times since, but it scares me because my particular type of cancer is well-documented to recur. I hope that soy and as-yet-unknown other things don't play a part in that.

I have since radically changed my diet to almost totally raw content.

Tirza

[Arky]

Hey, Tirza, are you aware of the claimed hormone-balancing properties of maca? Apparently, many naturopaths are adopting this as one means of bringing hormone levels/proportions into line, with both male and female patients.


J.

[Tirza]

Arky,
Thanks for the tip. No, I have not heard of this. Can you send me a link or tell me more? I am pretty new to the natural healing club. We only did the vegan diet and didn't really get into anything else until I had my recent experience. I am more than willing to learn.
Tirza

[startootsie]

Hello, I had a question about "maca", is there a sertain way you are supposeed to take it?

[misslinda]

My personal experience with soy was a nightmare as it was hard to isloate it as the problem b/c it developed over the course of many years.

Here are a few sites that disucss soy


http://thyroid.about.com/cs/soyinfo/a/soy_2.htm
http://goddessdiet.com/Reports/soy.htm

http://www.mothering.com/articles/growing_child/food/soy_story.html
http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soy_controversy.html
http://www.westonaprice.org/soy/soy_controversy.html

http://www.johnleemd.com/store/main_articles.html

[lissomllama]

I used to love tofu and soy but I learned that it contains phytroestrogens and can make a woman's risk of breast and uterine cancers very high so I stay away from the stuff. Tofu also isn't raw so I wouldn't do it based on that as well.

[juliebove]

I avoid soy in all forms. I used to have a thyroid problem. I was eating soy then. I stopped the soy and now now more thyroid problems!

[robertandenith]

thanks so much for these links Miss LInda, I need to look into this...

[rawpriestess]

I hope you are talking about making your own tofu, because this is a raw vegan support board, and we don't discuss anything that isn't raw vegan, or having to do with supporting that life style.

[rawpriestess]

if you can eat something off the bush or vine, I think it is okay to eat, if you must process it in some way, I don't think it is good to eat.

[jenjenn]

How many days a week do you eat the beans and rice and how do you eat it? Can you elaborate, I haven' t heard alot of people talk about this topic.

[michigan roman]

jj , well i dont eat the beans and rice anymore since raw , but when i was eating cooked i ate beans and rice about every night at dinner for like 14 years . ide eat that with a salad and boiled potatos , along with bananas and dry roasted peanuts if i was real hungry . beans and rice is the main source of protein for i would say the majority of vegetarians . i would just boil the dry beans plain , same with rice . then season both of them on plate with soy sauce on my rice and salt and pepper on beans .

[Pansy]

Soy is rat poison!

[misslinda]

I wish I could remember what site I heard this but back in the 1960's soy was used for binding material. They knew back then that soy was toxic.

[misslinda]

"Soy also contains a human carcinogen called
3-MCPD. The substance is created during the
manufacture of soy sauce and hydrolyzed
vegetable protein (HVP). It is also present
in soy sausages and other imitation foods."


http://www.soytoy.com/soydanger.html

[jenjenn]

How do you get your protein now?
and
how do you handle the loss of the amount you use to take?

I notice that since I stopped eating chicken (about a year ago) I know it sounds bad but i miss that feeling after you eat chicken(not the flavor though really) , like you are stronger, from the protein of course.

Anyone else can answer this too , like do you know exactly how many grams you're getting everyday, approximately, or whatever?

[rawfigure]

How do you get your protein now?
and
how do you handle the loss of the amount you use to take?

I notice that since I stopped eating chicken (about a year ago) I know it sounds bad but i miss that feeling after you eat chicken(not the flavor though really) , like you are stronger, from the protein of course.

Anyone else can answer this too , like do you know exactly how many grams you're getting everyday, approximately, or whatever?

I used to a very high protein diet, it affected my digestive system and metabolism so I gave up the Animal Protein. Yes I eat a lot less but I feel just as strong.

The highest Protein Fruit is Tomato at 48 grams per 1000 cals, red Peppers at 32 grams. Veggies it is Spinach at 129 grams per 1000 cals, Romaine at 112 grams, Broccoli then Asparagus. I love Kale and that is 66 grams for 1000 cals.

Nuts are not nearly as high as the above but Almonds do have 36 grams of Protein to 1000 cals. Pumpkin seeds are 41. I count these more as fats than Protein.

If you like Legumes, sprout the mung beans for 96 grams per 1000 cals.

So you can see on of the best sources of Protein is Greens and Mung beans !!! So a salad and sprouts is great.

You do not need to count protein grams. If you eat 1000 cals of greens and non sweet fruit you will probably get the amino's you need. If you are a heavy weight lifter or pro athlete you may need to supplement with Hemp Protein as in Alissa's store.

[michigan roman]

jj , now i get my protein and feeling of fullness by eating a granola mixture and bananas . i grind up sesame seeds (high in protein and fat) then chop up into bb sized bits walnuts , sun seeds and raisins . i eat this out of bowl with cinnamon sprinkled on , i only drink water (but i do drink warm water herb teas like my favorite milk thistle) , i eat very vegi rich salads for dinner that contain many different greens , alot of brocoli , green pepper , radish and tomatos . i make a home made applecider vinegar , extra virgin olive oil , garlic and herb dressing for it . then i eat fruit like oranges and apples . i also eat raw vegis like corn , asparagus , onions . and ive lost weight since going raw but not strength or energy , ive gained strength on my weights . and i do outdoor manual labor , lift weights , bike and run . so initially i felt the raw wouldnt provide the strength fuel i neednt but it is , and now im harder , faster , stronger . goodday :)

[robertandenith]

an ignorant nutritionist told me that plant foods do not have protein at all! lol! Is there any website that contains the grams of protein plant foods has? I will like to print it out for him and bring it to him to where he works! ha!

thanks for the great post, I am cutting my fish intake right now and will throw away the tofu I bought a few days ago! :D