Soy and Weight Gain

Hi all,

I just joined Calorie Count in an effort to lose 20 lbs. I am closing in on 30 after a very rough year  - stress combined with my body apparently changing as I leave my 20s seems to be leading to weight gain. I have get back on track!

I've been a vegetarian for over 10 years and recently gave up dairy because I am seriously lactose intolerant. Thus, I became a vegan! It was only a matter of time :).

I am wondering, though, if my over-reliance on soy in the last year is the reason for some of my weight gain. Has anyone else experienced other issues because of soy? It is quick, cheap, and easy, but so many types of soy foods (especially the dairy replacements) are high in fat. Curious to hear your thoughts! It's great to be a part of the group!

Best,

Emily

I've never experienced any weight gain with soy, personally. If you feel soy is making you unhealthy in any way, you should avoid eating it. Congrats on becoming vegan! =)

I have found variety is the key to success.  Any time one relies too much on any one ingredient there will probably be problems, or get boring eventually!!  If you think soy milk is the only choice, you are WRONG!  There are commercial products like almond milk, rice milk, and others (my sons drink Trader Joes rice milk exclusively)

I have recipes for alternative 'cheese' sauces made from various grains and nuts.  You must own a VitaMix or BlendTec heavy duty blenders and then you will be able to make almost anything!!  Fresh almond milk in seconds:  1 cup almonds (raw and unsalted, leave the skins on) and just enough water to cover them in a blender on high speed until they are pulverized, then you add plenty of water for dilution.  Cashews are useful to make cream sauces in these blenders.  I will post recipes.

I love nut milks, but I imagine, especially home made ones, the calories would be phenomenal. Are they?

the great thing about home-made is you control how many nuts goes into it, and dilute it as you want for taste.  the nuts are the calories, and you can always add some vanilla flavoring, etc.  the trick is to really liquify the nuts in a small amount of water at first, then add extra water, and always stir or shake these milks before serving.  for immediate  serving, add ice water to the blender.

Interesting posts. It sounds like i want to get a VitaMix or BlenTec and play with some cashews! Are the two machines comparable cost and effecitve-wise or is there a consensus on which is better? Also, regarding soy - I'm just finishing up John Robbins's The Food Revolution (has anyone read it?), and he devotes several chapters to genetically modified crops advising to steer clear of them: soy products containing the most. Those labeled organic, GMO-free or non-GMO are the only ones that you can be sure don't contain altered soy. I was disappointed to read that. I'm curious if anyone has any thoughts or more current information on genetically altered foods (this book was published in 2001).

I believe it is best to stay natural and organic, as much as possible.  Many times it can't be so...  As far as blenders go, I own the VitaMix and it is great, besides the capability of grinding whole grain to flour and prepping dough for bread.  It is the old standard, but the BlendTec is new technology and does the same maybe more??  It is programmable, making some jobs easier, but that computer-style technology may intimidate some folks.  It can also be used just as a basic blender function.

Thanks for the info - wow - they're expensive. I'll have to throw one of them on a wishlist. How long until Christmas?