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Vegetarian
Diet
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Vegetarian Soy FoodsAdopting a vegetarian/vegan diet is much easier with the advent of a wide range of soy foods. Soy is a bean which, when processed, can be made into a wide variety of different textures. Most common soy foods include: tofu, tempeh, textured vegetable protein (TVP), miso, soy sauce, seitan, soy oil and soy milk. Soy oil and margarine are widely used and are high in polyunsaturated fats and low in saturated fats. Other less easily available soy foods include: soya sprouts, soya nuts (roasted and seasoned soya beans), natto (fermented soya beans made with a bacteria, Bacillus subtilis), yuba (the skin formed on heated soya milk), soya flakes, soya flour, and high protein soya isolates and concentrates. Soy foods are an excellent source of high quality protein, are low in saturated fats and are cholesterol free. Recent research shows soy has several health benefits in addition to its nutritional benefits. Soybeans are rich in phytochemicals which have demonstrated anti-carcinogenic activity. These include isoflavonoids, protease inhibitors and phytic acid. The low incidence of breast and colon cancer in China and Japan may be due to the high consumption of soy foods. The low incidence of menopausal symptoms in Japanese women has also been attributed to high consumption of soy food products. Diets rich in soy foods have also been shown to reduce levels of blood cholesterol. Related Vegetarian Soy Food Links:Vegetarian
Soy Foods
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Vegetarian Diet InformationVegetarianism is a healthy option and vegetarian
diets can be perfectly healthy eating plans but care should be taken to
ensure optimum nutrition. So, whether following an ovo-lacto or other
type of vegetarian food plan, or vegan diet, for a healthy body and weight
make it a balanced eating plan and take regular exercise. Always consult
a doctor before beginning a weight loss diet or new fitness routine.
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