| There are many of us who are dieting and trying | | | | generations in Asia. But the way we now use soy |
| to live a healthy lifestyle. We exercise and go out | | | | is very different than the way the Asians have |
| of our way to eat the best foods we can. Most | | | | traditionally used it. The ancient Asians knew that |
| of us already know that trans-fats, white sugar | | | | the soybean was hard to digest, so they had |
| and white flour are not the best health choices, | | | | extensive fermenting processes that broke down |
| especially if we want to keep our weight | | | | most of the indigestible components, making it |
| down.Unfortunately some of the very foods that | | | | much healthier to eat. Examples of this would be |
| we think are healthy are ones that can cause a | | | | products like soy sauce, tempeh, and miso. These |
| lot of trouble for our bodies, and even make us ill. | | | | were used in small amounts as condiments and |
| Below is a list of some surprisingly unhealthy | | | | flavorings, not as a meat replacement.But the |
| “health foods.”Artificial | | | | way we use soy as a meat alternative |
| SweetenersMany people who are dieting, whether | | | | (texturized vegetable protein or TVP) can be |
| it is low calorie or low carb diets, will opt for | | | | very unhealthy, since soy contains large amounts |
| beverages with artificial sweeteners instead of | | | | of toxins or anti-nutrients. Some of the problems |
| sugar. Admittedly sugar is certainly a | | | | the anti-nutrients in soybeans cause are conditions |
| troublemaker and should be avoided, but artificial | | | | of the pancreas, cancer and thyroid problems. |
| sweeteners are actually worse for you and could | | | | Soybeans also can block the body’s |
| even be dangerous to your health.All the artificial | | | | absorption of essential minerals.Granola (and Other |
| sweeteners are bad, but one of the worst | | | | Unprepared Grains)For the last 30-40 years |
| sweeteners for us is NutraSweet (Equal, | | | | granola has been synonymous with heath food. |
| aspartame). There are over 92 different health | | | | But eating unprepared grains, or grains that have |
| related side effects associated with aspartame | | | | not been soaked, fermented or sprouted, has |
| consumption, including brain tumors, birth defects, | | | | only come about in the last 50-100 years. People |
| diabetes, emotional disorders and epilepsy | | | | who lived before our time understood that |
| seizures. There are more adverse reactions to | | | | unprepared grains could cause dietary |
| NutraSweet reported to the FDA than all other | | | | distress.There are anti-nutrients in grains (like |
| foods and additives combined.A much better | | | | there are in soybeans), such as phytic acid and |
| alternative to chemically derived sweeteners is | | | | enzyme inhibitors, that make them harder to |
| stevia, which comes from a plant. It has been | | | | digest. These antinutrients can cause serious |
| used for centuries with no know side effects. It | | | | problems like Crohn's disease, colitis, and even |
| can be purchased in most health food stores in | | | | mental disorders. Our failure to prepare our grains |
| the United States.Sports DrinksAlthough | | | | properly is one of the reasons that celactic |
| marketers would have us believe that sports | | | | disease is so prevalent now.So, stay away from |
| drinks are what the body needs when exercising | | | | the granola. Oatmeal is an excellent addition to our |
| heavily, the truth is that sports drinks are filled | | | | diets, but use whole rolled oats (not instant) and |
| with sugar (sucrose, glucose, and fructose) and | | | | soak them overnight before boiling them for |
| salt (potassium and sodium) as well as artificial | | | | breakfast. Go to our recipe blog at for a good |
| flavorings and colorings. Add a little salt to Cool-Aid | | | | recipe for coconut oatmeal.Good breads to eat |
| and you have about the same thing. You would | | | | are those that have properly prepared grains, |
| be much better off drinking spring water or | | | | including whole grain sourdough and sprouted grain |
| diluted freshly squeezed juices while | | | | breads. You can usually find these in specialty |
| exercising.Most Energy and Sports BarsMost | | | | grocery stores and health food stores.If you are |
| sports and bars are also filled with things that are | | | | trying to lose weight and/or eat healthier, |
| not the best for our bodies, and are little better | | | | remember that just because a company markets |
| than candy bars. Many of them contain sugar or | | | | a “healthy” product well or a health |
| artificial sweeteners, chemicals, preservatives, and | | | | food store sells it, it doesn’t mean that it is |
| synthetic nutrients. Check the ingredients before | | | | really healthy for you. Do some research before |
| you buy an energy bar. Try to find one that is | | | | you grab that sports bar, or better yet, reach for |
| made with whole foods, such as oats and flax | | | | an organic apple, cherries, or some other natural |
| seeds, fruits, and natural sweeteners.Soy | | | | (not processed) food. Your body will thank you |
| ProductsThis is one of the most surprising ones | | | | and reward you for it. |
| of all, after all soy has been used for countless | | | | |