Soy and vegetarian meals seem to be two words that go together naturally. Seems to be common knowledge now that vegetarian diets with a high intake of soy have been eaten in China, Japan and other Asian countries since the dawn of man.

Yes, it has been eaten in some form for perhaps the last thousand years but as a condiment not a staple. Pork is by far the preferred protein source in China.

Soy contains the plant-form of estrogen called ‘phytoestrogen’. It’s been recommended as a natural drug to help women get through menopause by controlling hot flashes.

What you might not know is all that estrogen in soy can also lower the production of testosterone.

Vegetarian monks in Buddhist monasteries noticed that the more tofu consumed, the easier it was for them to maintain sexual abstinence. For them, tofu was a blessing. Not only was it a cheap source of protein but it also aided their spiritual development. As more tofu that was consumed, the monk’s testosterone levels dropped allowing them to focus on the spiritual path to enlightenment. Very convenient if you’re a monk.

In today’s world, vegetarians have been told that soy products are the miracle food to replace animal protein. Imitation meat products made from soy protein isolate have become commonplace. These products are highly processed and made from the sludge left over after extracting the oil. They’re a very long way from traditional soy products eaten in Asian countries.

With careful planning and proper research, vegetarian cooking can absolutely provide complete protein necessary to maintain good health. There is no need to purchase the expensive veggie burgers or tofurkey being marketed to us by the soy industry. Let’s stay as close to nature as possible!