Soy Glossary
Return to
Soy Info Online!
="Healthy" ;
="Mixed Bag" ;
="Avoid"
Hydrolyzed Soy Protein
-- The extraction process of hydrolysis involves boiling in a vat of acid
(e.g., sulfuric acid) and then neutralizing the solution with a caustic soda.
The resultant sludge is scraped off the top and allowed to dry. In addition
to soy protein it contains free-form excitotoxic amino acids
(e.g., MSG) and other
potentially harmful chemicals including cancer-causing chemicals in many
cases. A newer method of hydrolysis involves the use of bacteria by
itself or in addition to the chemical processes described above. There
is a possibility that
genetically-manipulated bacteria may be used.
The food industry sometimes uses large amount of hydrolyzed proteins
as a "taste enhancer" because it contains significant amounts of
MSG (monosodium glutamate).
This is what is known in the food industry as "Clean Labels" -- adding
MSG to
food, without having to list it as "MSG" on the label.
In almost all cases, hydrolyzed soy protein contains a significant amount
of genetically-manipulated
soy. The hydrolyzed protein products currently added to foods should be
considered a detriment to one's health. There are much healthier sources
of soy protein and soy nutrients.
Recommended Reading:
Excitotoxins: The Taste That Kills by Neuroscientist Russell Blaylock, M.D.
Miso
-- A paste made by cooking soybeans and then fermenting the beans with salt
in wooden tubs for one to three years. There are several forms of miso
depending upon what grain added to the product (e.g., barley, brown rice).
In general, the longer the miso is aged, the darker the color and stronger the
flavor.
Miso contains a large amount of beneficial bacteria and enzymes. However,
unpasturized miso must be purchased in order to get the beneficial bacteria.
Miso is particularly useful as an aid to improving digestion and the health
of the intestinal tract. There is some scientific evidence that fermented
products with beneficial bacteria can help to prevent some forms of cancer.
Many people who are sensitive to fermented products and/or eating
"anti-candidiasis" diets can tolerate the use of miso without any problem.
Miso is used in soups, sauces, dressings, stir fries, and spreads. Only a small
amount is used. In general, lighter forms of miso are used more frequently
in the warmer months and darker forms in the colder months.
Miso should be kept refrigerated. Unpasturized miso made with organic
soybeans can be found at almost all health food stores. Miso can be
obtained by mailorder from several sources including:
Natto
-- Natto is a traditional Japanese fermented food made by
fermenting boiled soy beans with Bacillus natto. It can be used
as a topping for rice or put in vegetable dishes or soup.
Some people do not like the strong taste. Natto can be found in
some health food stores or Asian supermarkets.
Shoyu
-- A soy sauce made from soybeans, water, wheat, and sea salt which has
been aged for 2 to 3 years. Organic soybeans are commonly used and no
MSG or artificial additives are added. It can be used in small amounts
in stir fries, soups, dressings, sauces, and other dishes. Shoyu can
be found in most health food stores.
Soy Cheese
-- A cheese substitute made from soy milk. It is often found on casseroles,
pizza and other dishes which commonly contain cheese. It is important to
note that some commercial products which contain soy milk or
soy cheese also contain dairy proteins such as whey or casein (caseinates)
that some people want to avoid due to allergies or diet preferences.
Soy Milk
-- A milk substitute made by soaking organic soybeans, cooking and blending
the soybeans, and finally straining off the soy milk. Often, vanilla or
honey is added at the end of the process. Almost all soy milk
on the market is made from organic soybeans.
Soy milk can be used for drink, on cereal, and in cooking. Keep in mind, however,
that of the healthier soy products available, soy milk can be difficult to
digest for some people. If this is the case, rice milk can be used to replace
soy milk in recipes and easily-digestible soy products such as tempeh and
tofu can be used to obtain soy protein and other beneficial aspects of soy.
It is important to note that some commercial products which
contain soy milk or soy cheese also contain dairy proteins such as whey or
casein (caseinates) that some people want to avoid due to allergies or diet
preferences.
Soy Protein Concentrate
-- A processed concentrate made from defatted soybean flakes. It contains
largely soy protein, but retains some soy fiber as well. It is usually made from
genetically-manipulated
(non-organic) soy. Soy protein concentrate is commonly found in frozen
"soy" burgers. Despite heavily-hyped claims about soy protein concentrate in
relation to heart disease, osteoporosis, etc., health-conscious comsumers
will probably want to limit this processed, genetically-manipulated form of
soy and rely largely on healthier soy choices such as soy milk, tempeh, tofu,
tamari, natto, etc.
Soy Protein Isolate
-- A highly-processed protein isolate where the soy protein is removed from
defatted soybean flakes. Soy protein isolate contains over 90% soy
protein. It commonly contains
genetically-manipulated
soy. While the soy protein in the isolate is easily-digestible, the use
of genetically-manipulated soy and the heavy processesing which removes much
of other elements of the soybeans make soy protein isolate a product to avoid
where possible. Tofu and tempeh can be used instead as they contain
easily-digestible forms of soy protein as well as all of the other
beneficial aspects of the soybean.
Soy Sauce
-- A generic name for a seasoning made from soybeans, water and salt.
There are two main types of soy sauces, Shoyu
and Tamari. Some heavily-processed soy sauces
which can contain added MSG
or artificial flavorings/colorings should be avoided. (Note: Small amounts
of a structurally different "natural" MSG can be found in soy sauces, but
it doesn't present a problem to most people.) Tamari and Shoyu are
generally made with organic soybeans and can be found at almost all health
food stores.
Tamari
-- A soy sauce made from soybeans, water and sea salt. It has a
slightly stronger flavor than shoyu. Organic soybeans are commonly
used and no MSG or artificial additives are added. It can be used
in small amounts in stir fries, soups, dressings, sauces, and other
dishes. Tamari can be found in most health food stores.
Tempeh
-- A cake of soybeans that is made by removing the hull of cooked, organic soybeans,
mixing with a culture, and aging for a day or two. The culture helps hold
the soybeans together in a cake form. It is common to find tempeh made
with added ingredients such as vegetables or grains. Tempeh cakes are cut
up and added to stir fries, vegetable dishes, and casseroles. Tempeh is high
in protein and rich in calcium. Tempeh can be found at almost all health
food stores.
Texturized (Soy) Protein
-- Can be made in a number of ways. Some texturized protein products are
similar to soy protein concentrates. Some forms of
texturized proteins can have a high MSG content similar to
hydrolyzed soy proteins. If texturized soy protein is used, look for
a product made from organic soybeans. Other high-protein, healthy soy
products such as tempeh, tofu, and miso are your best choice.
Tofu
-- A white soybean cake made from cooked soybeans and nigari (magnesium chloride).
Tofu contains a significant amount of protein and is rich in calcium. It is
an easily digestable form of soy. Tofu is used in soups, stir fries, sauces,
dressings, burgers, and many other types of dishes. Tofu tends to absorb
the flavors/seasonings added to the dish. Tofu is made with organic soybeans
and can be found in almost all health food stores.
http://www.soyinfo.com/soydefs.shtml