By: Erica Wells, RD
If you are trying to take steps towards a healthier lifestyle, consider adding soy to your shopping list. Soy products range from tofu and tempeh to soy milks and yogurts. Ever eaten edamame before but wasn’t sure what they were? Those are immature soybeans! Soy is a legume, which is basically the seed of a plant (beans and lentils are also considered a legume). The great thing about plant products is they are naturally cholesterol free and low in saturated fat which is good for your heart (click here to learn more about other plant protein sources). Soy can be used as a substitute for animal products such as meats if you are trying to reduce the amount of saturated fats and cholesterol in your diet or to replace dairy products if you have an allergy or intolerance to lactose. Soy is a complete protein, which means it contains all of the amino acids nutritionally required by humans.
Ways to incorporate the heart healthy, plant powered protein of soy into your diet:
– Use tofu or tempeh in place of meat when cooking
– Eat edemame straight from the pod (this is one of my favorite go to snacks)
– Add roasted soynuts to salad or enjoy them by themselves as a high protein snack
– Use soynut butter in place of regular peanut butter
– Drink/substitute recipes with soymilk!
Switching from cow’s milk to smooth, delicious, Silk soymilk is an easy way to start adding more plants to your diet. Silk soymilk comes in multiple varieties from unsweetened (which works great as a neutral substitution) to sweetened options such as vanilla, chocolate and even eggnog during the holiday season (soooo yummy). The great thing about Silk soymilk is that it has the same amount of protein per cup as cow’s milk so it’s a perfect 1:1 substitute on the protein front. It also contains just as much or more calcium as traditional cow’s milk (depending on the variety you choose) and Vitamin D (absent from skim milk) both of which are very important for bone health. Since Silk soymilk is produced with non-GMO soybeans and no artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, you can feel secure that you are consuming a product that is close to its original form.
If you aren’t ready to start guzzling down a full glass of soymilk just yet, start using it as a substitute for cow’s milk in other ways:
– In your coffee
– On your cereal
– As part of a smoothie
Silk soymilk can be substituted for cow’s milk in most recipes such as pancakes, muffins, soups and more! Come back next month for some fall inspired recipes that benefit from both the nutritional aspects as well as the nuttier flavor of soymilk.
Click here to sign up for the Silk newsletter to learn more about Silk products and to receive a coupon to use during your next shopping trip!
References:
http://www.aafp.org/afp/2009/0101/p43.html
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/040113p30.shtml
https://silk.com/our-story/non-gmo
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Silk.
I just recently started added soy milk to my grocery list and need to make this a habit.
Red Reticule
I’ve substituted almond milk but not soy. I’ll have to try it!
Jill
Doused In Pink
That’s awesome! Yea I usually have some form of soy product in my shopping cart every time I go to the store. Soymilk is such a great one since its so versatile. 🙂
Almond milk is great too but definitely give soy milk a try! 🙂
I always ask for Soy when I get a coffee, but we don’t really have milk in the house because I don’t drink/eat cereal lol!! xo, Biana –BlovedBoston
I haven’t had soy milk in forever! I used to love it! I should start buying it again! Thanks for the reminder of how beneficial it is!
Yum!!! I love edamame and tofu! These are some really great tips! Thanks for sharing!!! Hope you had an amazing weekend and Happy Monday!
Danielle
http://www.blushblossom.com
I am obsessed with tufo curry from Whole foods, but sadly I am the only one in the family that will eat it. I will have to try soymilk as a substitite, never thought of that in baking!
Xoxo,
Whitney & Blaire
Peaches In A Pod
Edamame is awesome! Thanks for stopping by girl!
I’ve never tried that! Sounds great!
This is the only milk I use! So good 🙂
Shauna
http://www.lipglossandlace.net
We love soy milk. It’s so smooth! Target has great steam bags of edamame! I love popping the bag in the micro for a snack and our boys gobble it up! Happy Monday!! 😉
I’m intrigued by this and really want to move towards a healthier lifestyle. Never thought of soymilk before so thanks for this thorough post! Hope you are both well!
Marta
http://www.sweatersstripesandsweets.com
I love soymilk I tend to go back n forth with that and almond milk
http://islandchic77.com/
Nice producto, i love soy milk and this brand is organic!!!
kisses…
Zapatos Rojos
Hey, thats still something 🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂
Awesome! 🙂
Thats great! Oh yes love how easy of a snack edamame is 🙂
You’re welcome Marta! Thank you for stopping by! I’m glad I was able to provide you with some information and inspiration. 🙂 Hope all is well with you too!!
That’s great – both have wonderful health benefits 🙂
Thank you for stopping by! 🙂
I like soy! I often add soy milk to coffee or overnight oats. I’ve never tried to substitute it in recipes though. Good idea! I also love edamame. I eat tofu, but I don’t try to cook it at home. 😉
Amy Ann
Straight A Style
I love soy milk too! X
http://www.leopardandspice.com/
I once tasted soy meat. Never again in my life. The taste was horrible for me. But maybe other soy products taste better, might have to give them a go 🙂
-Leta | The Nerdy Me
I have a serious obsession with almond milk, but never have tried soy! I love edamame, so I really should give soy a try!
xo, Rachel
A Blonde’s Moment
Hmmm, I love soy milk, especailly the vanilla flavoured one! 😀
XO IMKE | Pastellics
Havent tried any soy products before but now something about them have caught my attention
Must try
Yummy! Thanks for sharing! Craving now! =)
– Cielo
Mermaid in Heels
yum yum! i do love soy products. i love edamame and yup soy sauce:D
Jessica
| notjessfashion.com
Thats a good idea – I’ve never made overnight oats before. I feel like soy milk added to oats would taste so good!!
I love how its such an easy substitute for dairy and can sometimes enhance the flavor of a recipe better than cow’s milk would!
lol you definitely should because consistency is going to vary between different products. Tofu, tempeh and other soy meat replacements are sometimes an acquired taste but edemame is tasty and soy milk is subtle when used in drinks/food.
Oh yea! If you like almond milk I think you would like soy milk too 🙂
I know so yummy!
Awesome! Let me know what you think! 🙂
You’re welcome! 🙂
Me too 🙂