Tempeh

[KellyL]

Is tempeh raw? If so, is it safe to eat uncooked?

[Veganforlife]

Web definitions for Tempeh
A dish made from split soybeans, water, and a special bacteria, that is allowed to ferment for several hours. Tempeh is eaten in Indonesia and Sir Lanka as a staple food. It is available pre-packed, ready to prepare, in some natural food stores.

Technically I guess you could eat it but soy beans are not that good for you...mho
But maybe once in a great while...

Here's how to make it though...so I'm back to not knowing!!!

http://www.soya.be/how-to-make-tempeh.php

[KellyL]

Thanks for the info:) Why aren't soybeans good for you? I am sure it has been posted on here before. I can try to search if it requires too much explanation.

[Veganforlife]

Here's a quick explanation:

http://www.mercola.com/article/soy/avoid_soy.htm

I used to eat a lot of soy products. I eat very little now - some miso (raw) that I want to use up, then that will be it!

[Damzlfly]

VFL -

did you eliminate the goitrogenic foods from your diet? did this help with your thyroid? I ask b/c recently I have been gaining weight (no not exercising) and thought this might help.

What do you think?

[Veganforlife]

What types of foods are they? Hey, I'm a simple gal and don't know those big words...
Okay, found my answer:

Examples of foods that contain goitrogens
Cruciferous vegetables including:
Broccoli I eat some of this, used to eat A LOT
Brussel sprouts Yucky spit, never did like these nasties and won't eat 'em now!
Cabbage I eat a lot of sauerkraut - always have
Cauliflower I eat more now that I'm raw then I did before
Kale same here - eating more
Kohlrabi haven't eaten this in years
Mustard I am constantly eating the egg-less spread which contains mustard powder
Rutabaga nope - haven't eaten too many of these
Turnips same here not too many
Milletno. None since going raw.
Peaches oh yeah - love 'em
Peanuts nope, not too many
Radishes hardly any since going raw, very few before that
Soybean and soy products, including tofu very little. Miso maybe once every couple of months
Spinach every day I eat spinach (in my smoothie)
Strawberries As many as I can

[SchoolOfRAWk]

Many disagree it is bad for you. I don't believe it is, after researching it (including Mercola, who also believes meat is necessary for health).

Tempeh is not raw. Some choose to eat 10% cooked, like Dr. Jameth Sheridan of HealthForceNutritionals (who makes Vitamineral Green as well as David Wolfe's Nature's First Food). They still eat Tempeh as a healthy vegan alternative at times. It won't hurt you in small amounts IF you wish to include it.

BUT certain foods do agitate thyroid conditions, so if that's an issue with you, then yeah, don't eat soy if it's (apparently) on that list...

[KellyL]

Wow! thanks for all the info. It is amazing how the marketing machine works.

[carolg]

I used to love tempeh, ate it cooked, made with sauces, etc., but consider it vegan only and not raw. In my wild days I used to fry it and we know fried foods bad, but delish.
carolg

[SchoolOfRAWk]

Wow! thanks for all the info. It is amazing how the marketing machine works.

Yes, and it works both ways. The anti-soy backlash is also in question. I do agree, it's not raw, far from it in fact. And fried is bad. Of course, sauteed in coconut oil is totally different.

[KellyL]

Is there a certain way that you sautee in coconut oil? It is good for you? I thought it was a saturated fat.

[Rawkinlocs]

Let's keep it raw ladies (at least here on the forum board)! :) You can email Erica for tips on sautee'ing...thanks!

[KellyL]

Sorry, I thought there may be a way to "sautee" at low temps that preserved the integrity of the food (in the same way that dehydrating does).