Any suggestions for a replacement food?

[RawTruth]

I am completely stymied on this one, so I'm turning to y'all for some advice and ideas.

What do you think can be used to replace tofu for a 2-yr. old who adores eating plain tofu chunks. She can easily eat an entire container in a sitting or two. However, because of how terrible soya is, I'd love to be able to suggest some alternatives.

Any thoughts?

Thanks so much (in advance).

[Doe]

Young coconut meat? It wouldn't be chunks, but wiggly strips. That's all I can think of at the moment.

Teri S

[RawTruth]

Thanks, Doe. She doesn't care for coconuts so far -- averts her head when offered the straw stuck into the coconut and also won't drink a glass of the juice without the whole coconut. But ... I don't remember her ever being given just the meat. It's worth a try.

[Doe]

What about eggplant chunks? They seem the same texture to me. Of course I don't like either one maybe that's why. Seems like someone said to soak them in salty water to remove any bitterness. Oh, oh, what about mushroom slices or chunks of portabella. The coconut would probably have way more nutrition though. But if it's the texture she likes the others would be closer.

Teri S

[RawTruth]

Oh my, Teri, you actually made me gag thinking of eating eggplant chunks. LOL. She does eat most any raw veggie -- loves mushrooms, sprouts, salad, etc. But, her mom's now in the habit of giving her tofu chunks as they're quick and she believes they're good protein and so darling girl asks for them. I just couldn't come up with any alternative. I actually don't really think there is any -- just took a wild chance on throwing it open to others' brains.

[michigan roman]

im sorry if im stepping out of bounds because ive never had children but i really dislike all the soy products including tofu so i had to present an idea . how about banana chunks rolled in a meal , maybe flaxseed meal , maybe ground up sesame seeds , ground up walnuts ? maybe you could cut up the bananas , coat them with one of the mentioned protein sources . then freeze them to get a firm chewyness to them , just guessing because ive never tried it .

[Helen Of Tennessee]

What about making a thick pate, shape in cubes and dehydrate a little to make them firmer?

I'm stumped, but I also know if she's eating that much tofu she's setting herself up for some health issues (which I know you're aware of). I believe it was the soy formula that caused my thyroid disease.

Maybe you could share some info with her mother:

"For just a brief look at what’s really going on, consider that numerous studies have found that soy products may:

Increase the risk of breast cancer in women, brain damage in both men and women, and abnormalities in infants
Contribute to thyroid disorders, especially in women
Promote kidney stones
Weaken the immune system
Cause severe, potentially fatal food allergies

Soy products also contain:

Phytoestrogens (isoflavones) genistein and daidzein, which mimic and sometimes block the hormone estrogen
Phytates, which block the body's uptake of minerals
Enzyme Inhibitors, which hinder protein digestion
Haemaggluttin, which causes red blood cells to clump together and inhibits oxygen take-up and growth"

http://mercola.com/2004/jan/21/soy.htm

<>< Helen of Tennessee

[mbf]

How about a thick fruit leather ?! She could add flax meal. I am experimenting with a buckwheat banana coconut leather. It's chunky and can be torn into strips and easily packed as a take along food.

MBF