Kansas farmers grow more than 115 million bushels of soybeans, but in a state where tags on a goodly number of vehicles proclaim “Eat Beef” and milk mustaches are a recognizable advertising icon, not many soybeans, except as cooking oil, make their way to the table. Soybeans are livestock feed, not human fare.
There is growing evidence that perhaps that stance should be reconsidered. There are lots of generalities concerning the health benefits of soy foods, Jodi Drake, Pratt County Extension agent, said at a meeting Tuesday, but “there are enough ‘maybes,’ and ‘coulds’ to make us take notice.”
Where in the world do people suffer fewer heart attacks and complications from brittle bones? The answer is Asia, where soy products have been a part of the diet for centuries. As Asians adopt Western ways, including high fat, animal-based diets, their health suffers.
Some potential benefits of soy products include:
• protection against bone loss, osteoporosis and the risk of bone fracture.
• relief from some common menopausal symptoms in some women.
• positive effects on prostate health.
• reduction of “bad” cholesterol by as much as 10 percent.
How much soy protein would a person have to eat to get these benefits? The Food and Drug Administration suggests 25 grams, or about four servings a day.
There are many sources and many are readily available, Drake said.
She prepared a hummus, replacing the traditional chickpeas with green soybeans, known as edamame. It was “okay, not bad,” most of the women attending the meeting agreed.
Cornbread, containing eight ounces of firm water-packed tofu was also okay — needs butter, several said. Drake agreed, and noted that it was very good fresh out of the oven.
Soynuts, glazed with honey and sprinkled with turbinado sugar were very tasty. They are available plain or in a variety of flavors.
Henry Ford Chocolate Chip Soynut Cookies, made with part soy flour, crushed soynuts and a small amount of soymilk, were excellent, but Drake warned, “these cookies are not low calorie.”
The automobile maker was an early proponent of soy foods and developed many uses, as did George Washington Carver. Benjamin Franklin was also a believer in soyfoods.
Some of the women were familiar with soymilk as an infant formula for babies that could not digest dairy products. It had an off-odor, Dorothy Huffman recalled, but she supposed that has been perfected by now. Drake agreed that the product does not taste like milk; it has a distinct, though not bad taste. She suggested mixing it with dairy milk.
Another participant shared that she started drinking soymilk 30 years ago to relieve hot flashes and said that she “can hardly use the other on cereal now.”
Drake has a number of recipes using a variety of soy products that she offered to share. She can be reached at 672-6121 or by dropping by the Pratt County Extension office at 824 West First.
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Kansas farmers grow more than 115 million bushels of soybeans, but in a state where tags on a goodly number of vehicles proclaim “Eat Beef” and milk mustaches are a recognizable advertising icon, not many soybeans, except as cooking oil, make their way to the table. Soybeans are livestock feed, not human fare.
There is growing evidence that perhaps that stance should be reconsidered. There are lots of generalities concerning the health benefits of soy foods, Jodi Drake, Pratt County Extension agent, said at a meeting Tuesday, but “there are enough ‘maybes,’ and ‘coulds’ to make us take notice.”
Where in the world do people suffer fewer heart attacks and complications from brittle bones? The answer is Asia, where soy products have been a part of the diet for centuries. As Asians adopt Western ways, including high fat, animal-based diets, their health suffers.
Some potential benefits of soy products include:
• protection against bone loss, osteoporosis and the risk of bone fracture.
• relief from some common menopausal symptoms in some women.
• positive effects on prostate health.
• reduction of “bad” cholesterol by as much as 10 percent.
How much soy protein would a person have to eat to get these benefits? The Food and Drug Administration suggests 25 grams, or about four servings a day.
There are many sources and many are readily available, Drake said.
She prepared a hummus, replacing the traditional chickpeas with green soybeans, known as edamame. It was “okay, not bad,” most of the women attending the meeting agreed.
Cornbread, containing eight ounces of firm water-packed tofu was also okay — needs butter, several said. Drake agreed, and noted that it was very good fresh out of the oven.
Soynuts, glazed with honey and sprinkled with turbinado sugar were very tasty. They are available plain or in a variety of flavors.
Henry Ford Chocolate Chip Soynut Cookies, made with part soy flour, crushed soynuts and a small amount of soymilk, were excellent, but Drake warned, “these cookies are not low calorie.”
The automobile maker was an early proponent of soy foods and developed many uses, as did George Washington Carver. Benjamin Franklin was also a believer in soyfoods.
Some of the women were familiar with soymilk as an infant formula for babies that could not digest dairy products. It had an off-odor, Dorothy Huffman recalled, but she supposed that has been perfected by now. Drake agreed that the product does not taste like milk; it has a distinct, though not bad taste. She suggested mixing it with dairy milk.
Another participant shared that she started drinking soymilk 30 years ago to relieve hot flashes and said that she “can hardly use the other on cereal now.”
Drake has a number of recipes using a variety of soy products that she offered to share. She can be reached at 672-6121 or by dropping by the Pratt County Extension office at 824 West First.
