Thoughts on Tofu?

My girls LOVE tofu...LOVE it. I understand there is a controversy possibly...anyone know the key points and willing to share? Don't want to overdo it I guess. What is your opinion? They don't do meat well yet - texture issues and a couple teeth a piece. Thanks for your thoughts!

 

My two have not tried tofu but I say if your girls love it and tolerate it well, then go for it. If you are worried about potential allergies, nutrition, etc...I would check your pedi on that.

 

I have heard there is some controversy about the isoflavones in soy possibly being a risk factor for breast cancer, but I don't believe that women in Asian countries where they eat a lot of soy have a higher incidence of breast cancer than we do. THIS article talks about a study of Japanese women that seems to indicate that higher levels of these isoflavones in the blood was correlated with *lower* breast cancer rates. The article also talks about the difference between dietary isoflavones and ones that are in supplements, and how isoflavones from dietary sources are so much less concentrated than in supplements, that it would be hard to overdo it just by eating tofu.

That being said, I'd do a little research on your own, and talk to your ped. But tofu sounds like a great toddler snack to me!

 

My boys love tofu too!

A friend of mine who's a breast cancer survivor isn't allowed to eat much soy, because of it's possible 'estrogenic' effects (i.e. increases your estrogen). The jury's still out.

 

Anything made out of soy DOES have some effect on hormones and it DOES have phytochemicals and toxins. My spouse did a lot of research on soy due to his soy allergy and concern the hospital might give soy based formula to our kids. Here are just a few of the chemicals he found during his research:



Isoflavones, Genistein, Saponins, Beta-Sitosterol, Daidzein, Phytic acid, Protease inhibitors, Haemagglutinin, Nitrosamines, Soyatoxin.



Like anything in excess, it can be bad for you (for instance deli meat (nitrates), charcoal-cooked food (carcinogens), polyunsaturated fats (higher breast cancer rates), saturated fats (heart disease)...) anyway it's not good for you but it would be very difficult to avoid all foods 'bad' for you. My opinion- let them have it in small quantities, but not in excess.