Protein and Eating Patterns / was Hidden Dangers of Soy

[Guest guest]

Thanks for your post. I think we can safely put that subject to rest now. People

can make

up their own minds about whether to eat soy products and how much - this isn't

after all a

health list, although if there were any *new* information out there that was

important I

would be inclined to send it on via a link at least. But scare tactics and/or

'quackery'

should definitely be off limits here or on any responsible list.

 

In response to my last post on this subject, you say:

 

> It is worth pointing out that there are other sources of protein

> such as nuts, beans and pulses. There is also protein in grains such

> as quinoa.

 

Quite right! Such wonderful variety of textures and flavours to choose

from.

 

> I'm not convinced that people really need to eat the

> quantities of protein that they appear to but that is an entirely

> personal view . . .

 

To which I'll add my own personal view :-) I think people are totally mad about

the issue of

protein. We talk about protein - I did it myself in my previous post, as you

point out - as if

it were the major consideration. Of course, the foods you mention as well as

tofu, etc., are

sources of protein - and we all need protein - but it's hard to eat a well

balanced meal

without protein. If one includes a variety of fruits, vegetables, legumes,

grains, nuts, etc.,

in one's meal plan each day, then there's little need to worry about getting

enough protein.

I'd worry more about vitamins and minerals, if I were inclined to worry about

nutrition.

 

I suspect much of the protein hangup comes from switching from a

carnivore/omnivore

diet to a veggie diet. If you have a chop on your plate with a tatie and a

couple of spoons

of some veg or other, then leaving off the chop will make your plate look pretty

empty. As

a veggie, you then try to fill it with a substitute of some kind: beans, tofu,

tempeh, seitan.

(That's what all those fake 'meats' are about that one finds at a shocking price

in the

supermarkets.) But simple rice under a veggie stirfry or 'curried' veg provides

protein, as

do some of the vegetables to a lesser degree.

 

I gave up cooking conventional western-style meals years ago, except for

casseroles and

sometimes pasta dishes. Instead I use rice, lentils, beans, along with vegetable

dishes, in

the asian way - several dishes together making up a meal. It works in asia

whether there

are soooo many vegetarians, so I take my tip from them :-)

 

> In terms of dairy

> substitutes I have started using Tiger White . . .

 

I've not seen it here at all - but I'm really interested. We don't use much in

the way of dairy

substitute, but it's good to have a recommendation for a good one and a *new*

one is a

fascinating thought! What next, eh?

 

Thanks for your post. Always reliable! :-)

 

Fondest love, Pat