Cooking with tofu

[TakingABreak 2,733]

I'm looking to increase my soy Protein. I already eat edamame about twice a week, but I'm thinking of adding some tofu in the mix. If anyone has some good tofu recipes.... send them my way!

[FluffyChix 17,415]

Why? As obese females we run a much greater risk of hormonal breast cancer. My oncologist wrote the book on breast cancer--literally. And after dx he said there is one food I want you to stay far away from and that is soy because of the phytoestrogen in it. One food. Soy.

The End.

(I also avoid flax.)

Edited April 19, 2018 by FluffyChix

[TakingABreak 2,733]

Why? As obese females we run a much greater risk of hormonal breast cancer. My oncologist wrote the book on breast cancer--literally. And after dx he said there is one food I want you to stay far away from and that is soy because of the phytoestrogen in it. One food. Soy.
The End. [emoji20]
(I also avoid flax.)

It’s supposed to lower cholesterol.

[Creekimp13 5,840]

Tofu chili is a favorite of mine:)

One package extra firm tofu cubes

A big jar of Great Northern Beans

A big jar of your favorite salsa

A bag of reduced fat monterey jack cheese

Any other veggies you like

a cup of chicken of veggie broth

Packet of chili seasonings

[Creekimp13 5,840]

There is debate about soy having any link to breast cancer.

[FluffyChix 17,415]

My doctor is internationally famous for treating breast cancer and researching the disease for over 40 years. IN his words, the studies are STILL being done and there is no definitive conclusion yet on breast cancer (hormone positive) and soy consumption. He told me that I did NOT want to be the guinea pig that proves the theory. You don't have to believe him. But I chose to. Sitting in an office where they've just treated you for a Stage IIIC, Grade 3 (highly aggressive) form of hormone positive breast cancer with 14 lymph nodes positive for active living cancer at surgery, you tend to believe the man whose whole life has been spent researching hormone positive breast cancers and treatments.

I choose not to consume soy. I don't let any of the members of my family knowingly do it.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

1 hour ago, FluffyChix said:

My doctor is internationally famous for treating breast cancer and researching the disease for over 40 years. IN his words, the studies are STILL being done and there is no definitive conclusion yet on breast cancer (hormone positive) and soy consumption. He told me that I did NOT want to be the guinea pig that proves the theory. You don't have to believe him. But I chose to. Sitting in an office where they've just treated you for a Stage IIIC, Grade 3 (highly aggressive) form of hormone positive breast cancer with 14 lymph nodes positive for active living cancer at surgery, you tend to believe the man whose whole life has been spent researching hormone positive breast cancers and treatments.

I choose not to consume soy. I don't let any of the members of my family knowingly do it.

I wonder if there is any coloration with women who are also vegan and it is their only Protein source. I'm talking about eating tofu, once a week.

[TakingABreak 2,733]

1 hour ago, Creekimp13 said:

Tofu chili is a favorite of mine:)

One package extra firm tofu cubes

A big jar of Great Northern Beans

A big jar of your favorite salsa

A bag of reduced fat monterey jack cheese

Any other veggies you like

a cup of chicken of veggie broth

Packet of chili seasonings

Sounds yummy! Thanks for the recipe. I've been reading that you need to dry the tofu and flatten it out for so long... ect. Do you do use any special technique?

[Creekimp13 5,840]

There are several different kinds of tofu. I use extra firm cubes in this recipe. I like extra firm. There's also a very firm fried tofu that is eaten a lot in Hawaii (and is incredibly delicious) It's very good in stir fry.

The available information on the safety of soy is confusing and contradictory. If I were in Fluffy's shoes and had a history of estrogen responsive breast cancer, I might not consume much soy either.

That said....populations that use soy as a staple food and vegans who eat a lot of soy do not seem to have higher incidence of cancer. (in many studies, they seem to have lower rates of cancer)

So...the information is a mixed bag.

https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a17151261/is-soy-bad-for-you/

[FluffyChix 17,415]

9 minutes ago, AshAsh1 said:

I wonder if there is any coloration with women who are also vegan and it is their only Protein source. I'm talking about eating tofu, once a week.

It is a bell curve at this point. Women who eat the least and women who eat the most have the greatest protection. But the women who eat the most are impacted by the Asian population (the ones who eat the most non-GMO, mostly fermented) who have a generational history of consuming higher amounts of soy. And also, in the US, until only recently, about 80-90% of soy was genetically modified and is unfermented.

There is some evidence that potentially shows fermentation alters soy effects.

All the women and men who "dally" with upping soy consumption and fall into the lethal bell of the curve are currently showing increased risk of hormonal driven cancers. Add to that we as morbidly obese people already drive the bus to hell on increasing our risk of hormonally mediated cancers.

Edited April 20, 2018 by FluffyChix

[TakingABreak 2,733]

Thank you both ladies for the facts of both sides. I don't plan on going crazy with the tofu, but I think there is a lot more research that indicates soy Protein can lead to better heart health and lower cholesterol. So, again...if anyone has any recipes for tofu... I'm open ears!

[Creekimp13 5,840]

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/03/07/519030514/eating-soy-has-benefits-for-breast-cancer-survivors-study-finds

More contradictory info....what can ya do? Some day they'll figure it out and come to consensus.

For now? I do use a degree of caution...but feel comfortable consuming moderate levels of soy. I eat it a couple times a week.

Other awesome plant based Proteins you might consider, AshAsh:

Fungus protien....look for Quorn products by the veggie burgers in your market's frozen foods. I love Quorn chicken nuggets and chicken cutlets. The burgers aren't bad, either! All made from fungus, but I promise it doesn't taste like mushrooms.

Pea Protein + Brown Rice Protein makes a complete amino acid. Both are available on Amazon and at healthfood stores.

For that matter....just eating Beans and brown rice in gumbo or chili...is pretty darned good.

Learn to make homemade hummus:) Try it both hot and cold.

Lots of good plant protein options.

My neighbor makes an incredible Tofu cheesecake...there are a million recipes for different kinds online. She also makes "cheese sauce" out of cashews that is amazing on her vegan taco salad.

Edited April 20, 2018 by Creekimp13

[TakingABreak 2,733]

1 minute ago, Creekimp13 said:

https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/03/07/519030514/eating-soy-has-benefits-for-breast-cancer-survivors-study-finds

For now? I feel comfortable consuming moderate levels of soy. I eat it a couple times a week.

Other awesome plant based Proteins you might consider, AshAsh:

Fungus protien....look for Quorn products by the veggie burgers in your market's frozen foods. I love Quorn chicken nuggets and chicken cutlets. The burgers aren't bad, either! All made from fungus, but I promise it doesn't taste like mushrooms.

Pea Protein + Brown Rice Protein makes a complete amino acid. Both are available on Amazon and at healthfood stores.

For that matter....just eating Beans and brown rice in gumbo or chili...is pretty darned good.

Learn to make homemade hummus:) Try it both hot and cold.

Lots of good plant protein options.

My neighbor makes an incredible Tofu cheesecake...there are a million recipes for different kinds online. She also makes "cheese sauce" out of cashews that is amazing on her vegan taco salad.

I'm all about experimenting, but I need something easy that I can commit to eating a couple times a week. I want something I can buy local, and not have to hassle with ordering online, which you have to mostly do in bulk. I just can't see myself dong that with fungus protein, same with pea or brown rice protein ... unless I can find this Quorn brand. I figured, I like tofu... logical choice. I also eat edamame as well.

Thank you for the suggestions though! its good to know all the options!

[Creekimp13 5,840]

Quorn is carried by most national chains...I think even Walmart has it. Give it a try:)

[sillykitty 10,775]

I love Ma-Po Tofu. I seriously crave it!

I use this recipe when I'm not being lazy and have it delivered. I drain the fat out of the ground pork though, even put it on paper towels to get rid of as much fat as possible.

https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/ma-po-tofu-103565