Vegetarian Men: Should You Beware the Secrets of Soy They’re Not Telling You?

Soy and soy products have come under more and more close inspection in the news lately. If youâ??ve taken a look, and if youâ??re a vegetarian or are investigating the vegetarian eating style, youâ??ve likely seen that the news isnâ??t all excellent. Men, especially have cause for concern, due to the high plant-estrogen content of the soy bean and plant. Before reaching for another block of tofu, or taking a closer look at the vegetarian diet, youâ??ve got to read this!

First of all, why is this especially a MENS issue?
Everyone has a small bit of both types of hormones: Testosterone and Estrogen. They play vital roles in the bodyâ??s many functions. Men have more testosterone than estrogenâ?¦and they donâ??t need any more than the body already produces. Declining testosterone production in older age men causes health problems, as the testosterone/estrogen balance is then upset. Testosterone levels in boys are also vital for proper development and bone health. Adding in extra estrogen to the mix isnâ??t a excellent thought at any stage.

So whatâ??s the problem with soy?
It has high levels of â??plant estrogensâ?. Plant estrogens are hormones the plant uses for its daily function. Theyâ??re not the same as the ones found in  humans, and if consumed, are 1,000 times LESS effective as human hormones. They are sometimes called phytoestrogens or lignans.
But as a vegetarian, or anyone trying to adopt a healthy eating pattern, soy and soy products play a huge role. Donâ??t want nasty bovine hormones? Drink soy milk. Donâ??t want to hurt animals by eating meat? Get protein from tofu blocks/ tofu dogs/tofurkey and countless other sources of Soy products.

It may be less effective than human estrogen, but all those small bits add up when youâ??re using soy and other phytoestogen rich plants as your protein source. These may be ok for women, especially anyone having menopause, but males donâ??t need any extra estrogen. You might see a lot of studies done in the news saying things like â??too much soy reduces sperm countâ? and â??over-eating of soy products leads to earlier memory-loss in men in Indonesiaâ? (Indonesia consumes a lot of soy as part of the traditional diet) While the FDA hasnâ??t ruled on anything yet, this â??Terrible Buzzâ? is enough to scare some people away, and make others reckon twice.

Unfortunately, this fact (and the fact that not everyone is going to like tofu, no matter who they are) scares people away from even trying the vegetarian diet. This no longer has to be the case! A recent discovery makes it much simpler (and more tasty) to get the protein you need, without ANY soy or soy-based product.

The answer is the Chia Seed.
This seed is unique among seeds for many reasons, all of which are beneficial to you! First off, by weight, the chia seed is 23% complete protein. Complete protein is hard to come by in the plant world, and most people get their daily amount from animal meat. Vegetarians routinely mix together incomplete protein food sources in order to meet healthy diet needs. The Chia seedâ??s protein level makes it a valuable dietary addition for vegetarians.

This tiny seed has other wonderful benefits that can especially be taken advantage of by men. They donâ??t have plant estrogens to mess with the hormone balance that keeps you healthy. They donâ??t require you to learn how to cook with tofu (and make it taste excellentâ??a real feat!) They donâ??t require lots of preparation time or know-how in the kitchen. You donâ??t have to change your eating habits. Basically, if you have a measuring spoon or scoop, you can use chiaâ??whether youâ??re a vegetarian or not!

Things you should know about this tiny miracle seed:

First:
Chia has no flavor of its own. Youâ??re not fighting to cover up a taste you donâ??t want. Instead, the seeds distribute the flavor of food or beverages you add them to. A food with really customizable flavor is a food thatâ??s really simple to use. Sweet or savory, in a recipe or just sprinkled on top, Chia seeds go to work distributing the flavor straight away.

Second:
There are so many ways to use it. Tofu claims to be versatile, but can you use it to cut out half the stout of a tasty brownie and have it taste exactly the same? No way! But Chia Seeds can.
Fact:
Chia Gel can replace up to half of the butter or oil in any recipe without altering the flavor or the cooking method.

Another thing you canâ??t do with tofu, is to sprinkle it over any food you already like to eat, to get your daily recommended amount. Any food that is moist enough to prevent the seeds from bouncing off the surface can be used. This includes pizza, yogurt, ice cream, soup, sandwiches, cereal and any drink. The flavorless seeds wonâ??t interrupt your eating enjoyment.

Third:
Chia Seeds are loaded with bonus benefits. Want to feel full at meal time without eating as much food? The fiber and gelling action of the seed keeps you feeling full longer, and replaces calories youâ??d normally eat with water. Want better regularity? Chia is packed with soluble and insoluble fiber. Insoluble fiber acts as a â??sweeperâ?? in the intestine, keeping food moving along. Soluble fiber irrigates the bowels making digestion simpler so the intestines donâ??t have to work as hard to go food. Enough fiber in your diet also helps reduce the risk of colon cancer.

Fourth:
Every seed is packed with nutrition: a full range of B vitamins, more calcium by weight than milk, healthy omega-3 oils, anti-oxidants, and vital trace-minerals such as boron.

Thereâ??s no need to â??dread the tofuâ? if youâ??re looking to make the healthy choice of a vegetarian diet. If you are already a vegetarian, all the anti-soy hype in the news wonâ??t bother you, when you have Chia Seeds in the house. Whatever conclusion the scientific studies come to, with regards to plant-estrogens, youâ??ll know youâ??re safe with chia seeds. Donâ??t wait another day to try this nutrition revolution!

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