the lowdown on soy/tofu

The latest headlines are saying that soy isn't the wonder food we all thought it was, so Amy O'Connor, nutrition expert from Prevention magazine, came by to reveal the truth about soy before we trash the tofu.

• A soy bean is a green lima bean and from this bean they make all sorts of products from ice cream to hot dogs. For years doctors thought soy had many health benefits, such as lower cholesterol, reduced symptoms of menopause, and prevention of certain cancers, but a new study says it's not exactly true. What the study did find is that soy doesn't treat disease, but helps prevent it because it's low in saturated fat. It's confusing because in 1999 The Federal Food and Drug Administration allowed soy makers to put labels on soy products saying it was healthy, so people started eating it as if it was a medicine that helped cure disease. Although it will not treat disease, soy is still a great health food. It's a good addition to your nutritional balance because it's low in saturated fat and has lots of calcium, which women don't get enough of. Also, if you substitute meat with soy, then you will reduce your risk of heart disease and diabetes.

• Whole soy foods such as edamame and tofu (a great choice especially for women) are the best. On the flip side, a not so good choice is soy isoflavins (pill or powder form). They are extracts from soy. Doctors are on the fence whether they can harm you or not. They come in supplement form or powder form. If you see the word isoflavin you should avoid it for the time being.