Recent research suggests that consuming soy products early in life reduces a woman’s risk for breast cancer in adulthood, reports Mark Messina, Ph.D. in an article titled “Research Updates” in the Summer 2008 edition of The Soy Connection.
Eating soy foods may reduce the risk for developing breast cancer
Soybeans contain a compound called isoflavones, which have been shown to provide some natural protection against the development of disease, notes Messina. The analysis of multiple studies points to the consumption of soy products early in life as the significant factor, explains Messina. In one of these studies, the consumption of one daily serving of a traditional soy food correlated with a one-third reduction in the risk of breast cancer.
Including soy foods in your family’s diet
A variety of soy products are available in grocery stores and other food retailers that make including moderate amounts of soy in your family’s diet tasty and easy. Following is a list of ways to increase your soy intake:
- Pour soy milk in place of cow’s milk over cereal.
- Use soy milk or soy flour when baking in place of cow’s milk or other flours.
- Serve soy yogurt.
- Include soy milk, yogurt, ice cream, or tofu in a smoothie.
- Add a slice of soy cheese to a sandwich.
- Replace ground beef, chicken, or turkey with textured soy protein in casseroles, tacos, etc.
- Offer a handful of soy nuts for a crunchy snack.
- Spread soynut butter on crackers or a sandwich.
- Add tofu to a vegetable stir fry.
- Prepare soy burgers or soy nuggets instead of traditional burgers and chicken nuggets.
- Toss edamame beans into soups, stews, pastas, casseroles, and stir-fry dishes.
- Cook with soybean oil in place of other vegetable oils.
Including soy foods in your child’s diet early in life may not only decrease the risk for breast cancer, but will also increase your child’s acceptance of these foods. As with any new food, offering soy foods multiple times and in a variety of forms may help kids find one that they enjoy.
Additional benefits of soy foods
The United Soybean Board describes additional benefits of soy foods for you and your children. In an article titled “Soy Serves up Healthy Benefits” on the Soybean.org website, soybeans are listed as a source of dietary fiber and essential Omega-3 fatty acids. In addition to breast cancer, soybeans are suggested to have preventive effects against obesity, heart disease, and other types of cancer. For more information and soy foods recipes for kids, visit Soybean.org, a website provided by The United Soybean Board.
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