Once A Day For Life

April Is Soyfoods Month | Soy the Subject of Serious Research

Menu Plans

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Soyfoods in space? It's not as far fetched as you might think. At the request of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), a team of researchers at Cornell University is developing recipes for long-duration space flights. John Glenn may finally get a good meal in space. If textured meat substitutes made from tofu and tempeh are new on space menus, they aren't new to many Americans.

Down to Earth Americans recognize the health benefits of soy and eat soyfoods daily. American ingenuity has transformed tofu, the world's oldest processed food, into numerous familiar, tasty, fast and easy foods available in supermarkets and whole food store. "In the '90s, people suddenly realize that soyfood products taste better, packages are attractive and the price is right. Increased demand results in more widespread distribution," according to Peter Golbitz, president of the Soyfoods Association of North America (SANA).

To recognize this trend toward soy and to encourage more Americans to try soyfoods, SANA chose the theme, "Soyfoods Once a Day for Life" for Soyfoods Month in April. Ms. Susan B. Spector, M.S., R.D., C.D.N. (certified dietitian-nutritionist), has created three days of low-fat, low-cholesterol menus according to the U.S. Dietary Guidelines that feature soyfoods. Spector also designed three-day eating plans for an older woman, a vegetarian teen-ager and a family with children. These eating plans include soyfoods at every meal, but anyone can start with soyfoods once a day. "Lots of people have gotten the soy message," Spector said. "And they want to know where they can buy more soy products besides tofu. Even their doctors are telling them about soy." A variety of familiar soyfoods including veggie burgers, soy-based hot dogs, chicken, bacon and cold cut substitutes, as well as, soy cheese, soymilk, ground "beef" substitute, soynut butter, soymilk yogurt, "ice cream" and even snack bars are available in supermarkets and natural foods groceries.

"I feel strongly about the health benefits of eating soy," Spector said. "People need to see how easily and tastefully these foods fit into today's hurried lifestyle." Spector, a nutritionist in private practice who also works with a team of physicians who are affliated with the Mt. Sinai Medical Center in New York City, recently consulted with an Academy Award-winning actress who's following a high-soy protein diet. "Meal plans featuring soyfoods promote weight control, lower risk of heart disease, reduce cholesterol levels, support healthier bone tissues, and support hormone balance," she explained.

The newest generation of soyfoods are readily available, cook in five or ten minutes and taste great. "Even kids will eat them," Spector said. She should know. Spector explained how she tries new soyfoods out on three very tough-to-please critics - her boys ages 9, 11 and 13. "I've taste tested all these foods on kids whose palates are used to processed foods," Spector said. "They love them." Some of the boys' favorite after-school snacks include soy chicken nuggets, melted soy cheese on toast, soymilk and roasted soy nuts.

Menu Plans

Day One | Day Two | Day Three | Older Woman

Family with Young Children | Vegetarian Teenager

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The Soyfoods Association of North America is a nonprofit trade organization that has been promoting consumption of soyfoods in the American diet since 1978

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