Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for health?

[asscherisme]

So the breast cancer scare got me thinking. I often eat a balance bar as a post workout snack. But I just read it and realized its soy protein. I have heard soy is both good for you and also that it can increase risk of breast cancer.

Soy products, healthy or not? Discuss...

 

[vintagelover229]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

I avoid most soy products because the soy market is mostly GMO (genetically modified) and they don't require labeling on GMO foods (at least they didn't in the USA when I was there and I don't think that's changed)

Not trying to freak anyone out or judge the accuracy of the articles but I did a quick search and this is the one of the articles that pulled up when I googled GMO soy

http://www.livestrong.com/article/200114-what-are-the-dangers-of-gmo-soybeans/
Another on the dangers of the GMO soy

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/jeffrey-smith/genetically-modified-soy_b_544575.html

So just be sure you do your research no matter what product you go with.

If your looking for a good protein bar I found this one-although I haven't tried it and I'm not sure where you can buy it but it looks good!
http://www.prosnack.com/

 

[tuffyluvr]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

I'm with vintagelover on this one. I eat soy occasionally (I love tofu), but I try not to eat it more than a couple times a month. I treat it like I do tuna, swordfish, halibut, etc.

A vegetarian freind of mine began having pre-menopause symptoms in her mid-20s because she was eating about three servings of fake meat a day Once she stopped eating so much soy protien her symptoms went away

What about trying Lara Bars, a small handfull of almonds or peanuts and dried fruit, or maybe a half cup of (organic) l/f cottage cheese on a corn tortilla with salsa or on a half slice of sprouted wheat bread if you are looking for a quick, high energy, high protien snack?

 

[kenny]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

It is a proven fact that every person who eats food, any food, dies.

 

[sonnyjane]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

It is a proven fact that every person who eats food, any food, dies.

Ha.

As far as the soy products, just keep an eye on it. One concern is excess estrogen production (in both males and females). Pregnant women should carefully watch their intake. One bar isn't going to kill you. Those that drink soy protein shakes multiple times a day are at greater risk. Soy-based meat substitutes in excess, as mentioned by a PP, is also not advised.

 

[Dancing Fire]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

It is a proven fact that every person who eats food, any food, dies.

so true...today you hear it is good for your health then the next day you'll hear it is bad for your health. .i.e.,coffee,chocolate,soy products,carrots.. so i just eat what i like.

 

[TristanC]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

Hmm whilst I can't state what benefits there can be of eating a processed bar... I do feel that there are a few avoidable elements.

Like most people, you don't actually need a protein hit post workout. Most times you get more than enough protein from the average diet. And you can always get enough from simple whole food ingredients that are both more fulfilling and more natural, whether plant based or animal based.

That way you can actually avoid the whole GMO issue, avoid the overly processed nature of most diet/"healthy" bars, and still get more than enough protein per day.

In my experience, the only thing that an extremely high protein supplemented diet gives you, is an unpleasant odour.

 

[mrs taylor]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

not a fan. yes if you wait long enough every food will be vilified, but I feel I'm doing my best if I stick to unprocessed foods.

 

[asscherisme]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

OK, to clarify, when i said I eat a protein bar as a post workout snack, I think I was not clear. I usually work out after lunch. And on days I work out, I get really hungry and have trouble making it to dinner. So I was grabbing a bar mid afternoon to deal with hunger thinking it was a good choice.

I did some more reading and this thread got me thinking there are SO many better choices. I went to target last night and picked up some 100 calorie portion of walnuts and almonds. I think I'm better off grabbing nuts, or a piece of fruit or something less processed. I am gonig to avoid soy when possible because breast cancer does run in my family and after my scare I don't want to risk it.

The lara bars sound good as a treat. I am going to pick up a few flavors next time I'm in trader joes.

 

[monarch64]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

not a fan. yes if you wait long enough every food will be vilified, but I feel I'm doing my best if I stick to unprocessed foods.

I agree. There is probably nothing wrong (for the average person) with consuming some processed soy bars, but if there is already a chance of you getting breast cancer why take the risk? I understand because I stopped eating meat 6 years ago when my dad was diagnosed with colorectal cancer. Same concept--why take the risk, plus I had other reasons for my decision.

 

[asscherisme]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

I'm with vintagelover on this one. I eat soy occasionally (I love tofu), but I try not to eat it more than a couple times a month. I treat it like I do tuna, swordfish, halibut, etc.

A vegetarian freind of mine began having pre-menopause symptoms in her mid-20s because she was eating about three servings of fake meat a day Once she stopped eating so much soy protien her symptoms went away

What about trying Lara Bars, a small handfull of almonds or peanuts and dried fruit, or maybe a half cup of (organic) l/f cottage cheese on a corn tortilla with salsa or on a half slice of sprouted wheat bread if you are looking for a quick, high energy, high protien snack?

Thanks for suggesting Lara Bars. I picked up a few this morning and Wow, its good! I bought 3 types and did a taste test and cut just a tiny bit off each to taste. They are really good! I am going to let my kids sample when they get home too. I hope they like them. Nice treat that I won't feel guilty about.

 

[mrs taylor]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

we buy larabars by the case. my kids have snacked on them for years. we love the lemon, the key lime, the chocolate coconut, cherry, apple and peanut butter. There are a few flavors that are downright nasty but most all of them are really good! The jocolat line is tasty too!

 

[tigian]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

Have you tried Kind Bars? I picked them up at Trader Joe's and prefer them over Lara Bars. I believe they are gluten/wheat free, too.
I have one if I don't think I can wait until dinner.

 

[mrs taylor]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

those are ridiculous. I LOVE them. The macadamia apricot is outstanding. BUT it's a bit more sugar laden than larabars. I love them both, but I'd prefer my kids eat larabars for snacking purposes and reserve kind bars for more like a dessert.

 

[asscherisme]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

Have you tried Kind Bars? I picked them up at Trader Joe's and prefer them over Lara Bars. I believe they are gluten/wheat free, too.
I have one if I don't think I can wait until dinner.

I saw them and almost bought it, but it had more ingredients and more sugar and it also had some soy so I put it back. I like that the lara ingredients are someting I would happily feed my kids. We spend so much time in the car going from one activity or dropping of here and there that some days they end up grabbing something in the car to snack on when they are hungry.

Good news, the 3 of my kids that are home so far liked the lara bars as much as I do.

I wonder if they sell them at Costco? I'lll have to check it out when I'm there next time.

I loved the apple pie and cherry pie the best of what I tried.

 

[usnwife]

Re: Soy products (such as protein bars) Good or bad for hea

vitacost.com has a wide variety of bars at discount prices