Thinking about tofu...

[Maximilian]

Will I grow tits if I eat tofu? :biggrin:

Ive done some googling and it seems theres arguments on both sides of the "is tofu a good protein" debate. Consensus seems to be its alright. Does anyone here eat it?

Im looking to add new foods to my diet, I get probably 60% of my protein from milk based stuff 20% from whey and the rest from meats, nuts, other foods. Kinda wanna shake it up a bit and try something new by throwing tofu into the mix. I was just gonna eat a block of the stuff raw and see how that goes.

 

[surfsatwerk]

Not trying to be a dick, but whey is milk. So are you saying you get 80% of your protons from milk?

 

[Maximilian]

Not trying to be a dick, but whey is milk. So are you saying you get 80% of your protons from milk?

Pretty much. Milk powder, cottage cheese, whey.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I am of the opinion that protein is protein, and your body will put it to good use regardless of whether or not it is "complete" like milk or meat.

Edit: Personally for my strength training goals my protein comes from about 40/40 milk and meat with 20% coming from beans and nuts.

 

[Kaido]

Read this:

http://zenhabits.net/soy/

I will link to that article with a caveat: doctors use soy as an emergency resort only for children since it causes thyroid problems once they hit a few years old. I also have a friend who ruined his thyroid after he switched his diet primarily to soy. Perfectly healthy for 40+ years & then thyroid problems after going soy. However, with that said, I don't think it's bad in moderation. People drink Red Bull, coffee, smoke cigarettes, etc. I wouldn't eat it as a primary protein source, but I don't think it's bad to have tofu, soy sauce, etc., just don't go bananas with it.

 

[Kaido]

Im looking to add new foods to my diet, I get probably 60% of my protein from milk based stuff 20% from whey and the rest from meats, nuts, other foods. Kinda wanna shake it up a bit and try something new by throwing tofu into the mix. I was just gonna eat a block of the stuff raw and see how that goes.

Don't eat tofu raw, that's like eating plain chicken without even salt on it - super boring. You (typically) press it & then use it to make a meal (usually fried). If you plan on eating it a lot, buy a tofu press for $20:

http://www.amazon.com/EZ-Tofu-Press-...dp/B007LLGMG2/

It basically just squeezes the water out to make it firm. You can do it manually in various ways, here's an easy one:

http://www.veggiebelly.com/2011/04/how-to-press-tofu.html

Here's a good introduction to working with tofu in general:

http://www.fitsugar.com/How-Cook-Tofu-34429412

Here are 3 easy ways to use tofu: (note that it is available in firm, soft, etc.)

1. Loaf
2. Cubed
3. Creamed

Tofu makes a good meat replacement. Here's a fairly simple recipe to start out with: (note: liquid/coconut aminos is basically an alternative to soy sauce, you can just use soy sauce)

http://ohmyveggies.com/recipe-baked-italian-herb-tofu-how-to-press-tofu/

You can then use it as a main dish or for stuff like sandwich fillers:

http://ohmyveggies.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/baked_italian_herb_tofu_pita_pockets.jpg

I like cubed tofu. If you stir-fry it, it basically has the same consistency as a fire-roasted marshmallow, only not sugary. Fry it up then coat it in some teriyaki sauce, it's pretty good! Here's garlic-pepper recipe:

http://blog.fatfreevegan.com/2012/05/thai-black-pepper-and-garlic-tofu.html

If you don't want to fry it, try this method:

http://www.thelawstudentswife.com/2013/06/ultra-crispy-unfried-tofu/

It's also good in smoothies, lasagnas, miso soup, etc. There are a lot of good Japanese, Chinese, and Thai recipes that use it; check on Pinterest & Yummly for different ideas. If you blend it or throw it in a food processor, you can make it creamy, sort of like cottage cheese. Here's an easy burger recipe:

http://www.101cookbooks.com/archives/tofu-burgers-recipe.html

Here's a zillion other recipes:

http://greatist.com/health/healthy-tofu-recipes

http://www.buzzfeed.com/deenashanker/recipes-that-will-make-you-love-tofu

 

[Kaido]

Im looking to add new foods to my diet, I get probably 60% of my protein from milk based stuff 20% from whey and the rest from meats, nuts, other foods. Kinda wanna shake it up a bit and try something new by throwing tofu into the mix. I was just gonna eat a block of the stuff raw and see how that goes.

Also, if you're just looking for a protein replacement, check out hemp (non-THC). Hemp protein & hemp seeds are two excellent things to use. Hemp protein is super easy to digest & is probably the best plant-based protein available. The seed version is also good - I use it to make Muscle Crunch (basically a thin protein-packed Nestle Crunch bar) on a weekly basis. Here's the recipe for that:

* Chocolate chips (I use Enjoy Life dairy-free ones for my allergies)
* Coconut oil
* Hemp seeds
* Puffed quinoa (like rice crispies but soft instead of crunchy)

Basically just melt down say half a pack of chocolate chips in a bowl in the microwave (20 seconds, stir, 20 seconds, stir). Throw in a teaspoon of coconut oil & mix it up (coconut oil is super healthy & makes the chocolate solidify into a bar). Pour in hemp seeds & stir until you get a gritty texture, then pour in puffed quinoa (enough that there's lots in there, but that everything is still covered in gooey chocolate). Cover a tray with a sheet of aluminum foil & spread out the mixture with a spoon or spatula until it's about one-puffed-quinoa high (pretty thin), then throw in the freezer for 20 minutes to make it turn solid. Voila, protein crunch bar (warning: messy on your fingers! melts fast haha). I use this puffed quinoa off Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Quinoa-Puffed-...dp/B0057XNWJQ/

This recipe is ADDICTING!

 

[Kaido]

I am of the opinion that protein is protein, and your body will put it to good use regardless of whether or not it is "complete" like milk or meat.

Edit: Personally for my strength training goals my protein comes from about 40/40 milk and meat with 20% coming from beans and nuts.

The numbers are interesting:

http://www.nasoya.com/tofu-u/classroom/faqs-how-to-videos

Why eat tofu?
Tofu is not just for vegans, it’s a healthy choice for all! For starters, a diet that limits beef and pork proteins and emphasizes plant protein is better for your health. So how does tofu stand up nutritionally against animal-based protein? The numbers tell it all:

Beef: A 4 oz serving of 85% lean ground beef contains 17g of fat, 7g saturated fat, and 100mg of cholesterol.
Pork: A 4 oz serving of ground pork contains 24g of fat, 9g saturated fat, and 105mg of cholesterol.
Chicken: A 4 oz serving of skinless chicken contains 4g of fat, 2g saturated fat, and 94mg of cholesterol.
Tofu: A 4 oz serving of extra firm tofu contains 6g of fat, 0g saturated fat and 0mg cholesterol!

So there you have it…tofu is low in fat and calories, has zero saturated fat, cholesterol-free, rich in protein and provides bone-healthy minerals, like calcium, potassium, and magnesium.

 

[surfsatwerk]

I like fat in my diet.

 

[Kaido]

I like fat in my diet.

I do a lot of avocado (chocolate pudding, mint or chocolate ice cream, etc.) & nuts. Here's one of my favorite cookie recipes: (uses almond flour)

http://catch42.pbworks.com/w/page/78284306/Chocolate Chip Cookies

I also make these a lot: (uses peanut butter)

http://www.texanerin.com/2012/04/grain-free-peanut-butter-chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-bites.html

 

[HOSED]

I am ~90% vegan, (still eat eggs and yogurt sparingly). I try to avoid processed food when raw or minimally alternatives are available. So I do eat edamame, along with virtually any type of beans, rices and assorted nuts. Also if you do go the tofu route, I would recommend organic only, but then again I always recommend non GMO (at least) or fully organic.
~Maximillian do you notice any digestive issues when you consume dairy?

 

[Maximilian]

Aite Kaido you've sold me on tofu

You sound like a domestic god in the kitchen lol, im gonna eat it raw to begin with though, then try and do things with it, apparently its okay to microwave. I eat cottage cheese straight from the pot and sometimes ill eat oats from the bag (if i cant be bothered making milk for porridge) so eating stuff raw is fine with me

@HOSED Nope no digestive issues, I think im lactose tolerant to a point, but if I really go wild with it ill get gassy.

 

[SP33Demon]

Not worth the risk with soy. Read post #49.
http://forums.anandtech.com/showthread.php?t=2356921&page=2

 

[MongGrel]

I'm just anti Tofu myself in general

 

[Zivic]

Personally I wouldn't eat it. Heard way too many bad things to go out looking for it. Even my chiro was telling people to avoid soy... And he doesn't even really lift. I'm sure there are worse things you can do/eat, but that doesn't necessarily mean you should

 

[Kaido]

Aite Kaido you've sold me on tofu

You sound like a domestic god in the kitchen lol, im gonna eat it raw to begin with though, then try and do things with it, apparently its okay to microwave. I eat cottage cheese straight from the pot and sometimes ill eat oats from the bag (if i cant be bothered making milk for porridge) so eating stuff raw is fine with me

@HOSED Nope no digestive issues, I think im lactose tolerant to a point, but if I really go wild with it ill get gassy.

I've tried a lot of weird stuff due to my food allergies...I love food, but since I'm limited as to what I can eat (dairy & gluten-free), I've had to learn how to cook & be creative with meals. Fortunately there are a lot of very talented people who share their recipes online, publish cookbooks, do Youtube videos, etc. I never would have tried vegetarian/vegan/fruitarian/foreign food or diets otherwise, actually.

Anyway, let us know how it turns out :thumbsup:

 

[norseamd]

Organic high quality Soy in moderate amounts is very good for you. But watch out for eating too much of anything.

 

[norseamd]

My doctor tells me to eat meat and dairy only several times per week and eat fish, hemp, and eggs instead.

 

[Zivic]

My doctor tells me to eat meat and dairy only several times per week and eat fish, hemp, and eggs instead.

go to your doctor if you have a heart attack or break your leg... don't go to a doctor for preventative or wellness. they treat symptoms. I wouldn't go on a diet a doctor setup for me.

 

[norseamd]

go to your doctor if you have a heart attack or break your leg... don't go to a doctor for preventative or wellness. they treat symptoms. I wouldn't go on a diet a doctor setup for me.

Do you know anything about Puritans Pride? He seems to order from there and recommended it to me. He is very much into the green and sustainable lifestyles. He talks a lot about inflammation of many animal foods and even warns against eating too much whole grain. He recommends that I should eat whole sprouted bread instead of processed grains or whole wheat bread products. He even lives in his own passive house that meets the passive house standards. He said animal foods like fish are not that inflammatory because of all of the Omega 3s that fish contain.

http://www.puritan.com/

 

[HOSED]

My mom used to buy from Puritan's pride all the time, their prices are very reasonable and we never had any issues with shipping or mistakes in orders.
I use Swanson's now, they constantly have free shipping, % off deals etc and a very wide variety of manufacturers. (I buy a lot of Twin Lab stuff in capsules and bring over 40 avoid tablets)

 

[Zivic]

Do you know anything about Puritans Pride? He seems to order from there and recommended it to me. He is very much into the green and sustainable lifestyles. He talks a lot about inflammation of many animal foods and even warns against eating too much whole grain. He recommends that I should eat whole sprouted bread instead of processed grains or whole wheat bread products. He even lives in his own passive house that meets the passive house standards. He said animal foods like fish are not that inflammatory because of all of the Omega 3s that fish contain.

http://www.puritan.com/

ezekial bread is likely better for you than a bread made with processed grains.... that said, I don't eat much bread. heck, can't remember the last time I ate bread. Only if I am out of rice, will I eat bread; maybe 1 time a month if that. At that frequency, it wouldn't matter what kind one eats.

same can be said for soy.... it likely won't be beneficial or detrimental to a person if it isn't eaten that often.


Personally there are way too many other things I would rather eat than soy.

 

[Kaido]

My doctor tells me to eat meat and dairy only several times per week and eat fish, hemp, and eggs instead.

Have to be careful of fish...my friend's family ate fresh fish multiple times a week & the entire family got mercury poisoning after a few years (no joke).

 

[Kaido]

go to your doctor if you have a heart attack or break your leg... don't go to a doctor for preventative or wellness. they treat symptoms. I wouldn't go on a diet a doctor setup for me.

100% agree - doctors treat symptoms & are not much into prevention. And when's the last time you saw a skinny doctor? lol. I'd be hesitant to even listen to most nutritionists given what I've learned about food, haha.

 

[SP33Demon]

Have to be careful of fish...my friend's family ate fresh fish multiple times a week & the entire family got mercury poisoning after a few years (no joke).

What kind of fish? Tuna? lol. Big fat sardines are the staple of my daily diet and low on the food chain so you know heavy metals won't usually be in them.

Are you eating tofu Kaido? If so, I would worry big time about the soy that you're consuming.