Question about soy, sheesh its in everything!

**krbshappy71** · 06-27-2011, 11:41 AM

I know you all aren't doctors but here goes.

A few years ago my doctor suggested I avoid soy in general, as we were trying to find a good balance hormone-wise. Something about soy and estrogen? Does soy "make" estrogen?? or affect the balance of it?

Anyhow I stopped eating edamame which had become my favorite snack, chose almond milk instead of soy milk, and thought those were the only sources of it that I was using.

I have still avoided those items only to start reading ingredient labels and finding soy in everything it seems!! Has it always been in everything?

Should I stop buying products that have it listed in the ingredients? That's going to rule out a lot of products but I don't want to screw up my balance either and the past few months have been having issues again. (I don't tolerate estrogen well)

Is anyone else reading ingredients and avoiding soy for this reason?

Maybe its all in my head. Maybe its time for different BC because I'm aging, I was just shocked to start seeing soy in everything when I was trying to avoid it.

**2ndGenGranola** · 06-27-2011, 12:04 PM

Soy does act like a synthetic hormone. It is also in everything!!! It hasn't always been in everything but we now know it is a cheap crop and a good "filler". You are going to have to read carefully and avoid even the packaged soy items.

**wanderlusting** · 06-27-2011, 03:05 PM

I try to avoid soy because I don't want my toddler boys to consume a lot. A lot of soy just isn't good for boys and men.

When I was struggling with infertility, I did a few cycles where I consumed a LOT of soy. Through my research, a large intake of soy can mimic super ovulation of Clomid.

**krbshappy71** · 06-27-2011, 06:17 PM

Thank you for the replies. I feel better knowing there is some truth to the soy-hormone-connection.

Filler, that is certainly the word for it, I cannot believe its in so many things now.

**frugalfranny** · 06-27-2011, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

Is anyone else reading ingredients and avoiding soy for this reason?

.

Anyone taking thyroid should avoid it too.......and you are right, it is IN EVERYTHING!!!!

It is easier to list the things it ISN'T IN than the things it is in.

And MSG gives it a close second run........which I also try to avoid.

I got so frustrated about the soy that I 'eased up' a little bit.....just try to not eat a whole bunch of 'that item' at one time.

**Spirit Deer** · 06-27-2011, 10:41 PM

Soy is one of those fad foods that food producers have latched onto, and decided that everyone should be just thrilled to have it forced on them. Since it's been proclaimed to be really healthy, it's now a marketing tool.

This kind of marketing is one reason I'm working really hard the past few years to cook from scratch and avoid processed foods as much as possible.

**shoiji** · 07-06-2011, 12:32 PM

I used to enjoy eating different soy products. One time I went a little crazy with eating edamame. Was buying frozen bags of them. Then I noticed I was getting super hyped up and my face was red.

Now I try to limit how much soy I have. Using soy sauce is an occasional splurge. I remember reading somewhere that some soy products are really not good for human consumption. I think it was raw soy products. Meaning your body does not see it as food.

I constantly read food labels since I cannot eat nightshades. So I am constantly reading labels to see if there are any ingredients that are a nightshade. I find the same thing you are finding. Especially with potatoes. Apparently the food industry thinks they are more benign so it is added in many products and labeled differently. Very frustrating.

I try to only purchase packaged food where I can read and understand what the ingredients are. Why should I need a degree in science to know what an ingredient is. It does get tiring at times to be always on the lookout. Eating at restaurants is another mine field to navigate.

**Shelli_wnj** · 07-06-2011, 01:08 PM

Soy is in everything packaged. I know because I can't have it. We started making everything from scratch, including bread. I make bread to make breadcrumbs because that has added soy. I make all my own fried anythng, it all has soy. Vegetable oil is just another word for soy. lethecin is soy. hydrolized vegetable protein can be soy or msg. its crazy. I have to read lables for EVERYTHING. i would agree to steer clear of as much of it as you can. We're here to help!

**Libby** · 07-06-2011, 01:31 PM

I think its more of an 'eat it moderation' thing however I would guess its in almost everything processed as it could be used as a coagulant/filler.

There's always going to be a report or study to support both sides of the argument re: soy & hormone issue - if you're searching for one concrete solution.

**krbshappy71** · 07-06-2011, 01:40 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Anyone taking thyroid should avoid it too.......and you are right, it is IN EVERYTHING!!!!

It is easier to list the things it ISN'T IN than the things it is in.

And MSG gives it a close second run........which I also try to avoid.

I got so frustrated about the soy that I 'eased up' a little bit.....just try to not eat a whole bunch of 'that item' at one time.

Thanks for the tip about thyroid, I take pills for that too.

My aunt sent me a list of things she is allergic to, I get to add those items to my avoidance list now as I have inherited all her allergies, some of them haven't developed full-force yet.

So....air and water is all I get huh? HA! Thanks, all.

**frugalfranny** · 07-07-2011, 01:37 PM

Thanks Shellie.............you made me do some more research on MSG........which was needed but sure was SCARY!! I was eating WAY MORE than I thought.............darn......

MSG - Hidden Sources

Originally Posted by krbshappy71

So....air and water is all I get huh? HA! Thanks, all.

Yeah......but think of all the weight we will lose!!!

Well..........I have my garden......if it ever gets busy and produces!!

**krbshappy71** · 07-07-2011, 01:54 PM

Originally Posted by frugalfranny

Thanks Shellie.............you made me do some more research on MSG........which was needed but sure was SCARY!! I was eating WAY MORE than I thought.............darn......

MSG - Hidden Sources

Yeah......but think of all the weight we will lose!!!

Well..........I have my garden......if it ever gets busy and produces!!

Egad, I'm already only 96 lbs, LOL!! Noooo!!

Thanks for the msg info, since it doesn't "bother" me I never looked into it but that doesn't mean I need to be intaking it either.

**Shelli_wnj** · 07-07-2011, 08:44 PM

Franny, I have seen that website. Scary, huh? I didn't even realize it was affecting me until I eliminated it from my diet. Then I saw the changes. I have been able to add small amounts back in with no issue, I just think it was the amounts I was taking in even without realizing!

**many houseapes** · 07-07-2011, 10:45 PM

A soy-less diet is doable. It takes some getting use to, but if you are creative, you can come up with some wonderful new recipes. I have to be on a no soy diet b/c if I eat it, it brings down my energy level within an hour....it interferes with my thyroid medication. The way that I transformed my diet is that I started finding alternatives to use in my cooking...if the product that I usually used had soy, I had to switch to something else that didn't have it. I have to make my own bread, eat only real butter....& read food labels carefully. Going out to eat is tricky...I have to go to places like Golden Corral....anything breaded, pre-seasoned, desserts,margarine, sauces I don't touch. Homecooked food tastes much better anyway

**Luckybustert** · 07-08-2011, 02:29 AM

Yes, soy is in absolutely everything and I can't have it either - I'm allergic to it. It's difficult. I avoid processed foods for the most part, and sometimes I just give in and deal with the allergic reaction afterwards. I don't understand why food companies have picked up on some allergies and food sensitivies, and make products that don't include the problematic ingredient, but they just don't get it with soy...there are a lot of people who have problems with soy, so you'd think they would provide more alternatives.