A typical Japanese person eats soy for breakfast. And lunch. And dinner. “We eat tofu every day,” says Mamie Nishide, a cooking instructor and recipe developer who’s a native of Nara, Japan. Soybeans, first grown in tropical Asia thousands of years ago, are used in everything in Japan from soy sauce (as ubiquitous as ketchup) to vegetable oil, tofu, and the fermented soybean paste called miso. Japanese eat more soybeans than anyone else, and the long-lived Okinawans top the list at about 60 to 120 grams per person each day, compared with practically zero grams for the average American.
Why to try it: Protein-packed soy is high in isoflavones, estrogen-like substances linked to the prevention of cancer and osteoporosis. But its biggest draw may be the dozens of studies showing soy is good for your heart; the FDA even allows certain soy products (with at least 6.25 grams of soy protein per serving) to have a heart-healthy claim on their labels. Plus, some studies have shown that a diet rich in soy can reduce breast cancer risk. Asian women, for example, have a much lower incidence of the disease compared with their Western counterparts. But other studies suggest that high levels of soy might actually increase breast cancer risk in women who live in the United States, especially among those with a family history of the disease. (If you have a history of breast cancer or a high incidence in your family, talk to your doctor about how much soy is safe.)
What to do with it: Use cooked soybeans instead of garbanzo beans in your next batch of hummus, and add frozen edamame (whole soybeans) to stir-fries. Tofu typically comes in 1-pound blocks for about $1.99 at grocery and health-food stores.
Recipe by Mark Bittman
You’ll convert any tofu haters in your house with this savory recipe.
By Joan Raymond
Comments (14)
Tofu and Soysauce were both invented by the Chinese – not the Japanese
The article never said the Japanese invented either of those things, it simply said that the Japanese eat alot of them.
The title is a bit misleading though as it says World’s Healthiest Foods: Soy (Japan), which seems to imply that Soy is from Japan since the one for Kimchi is labelled as World’s Healthiest Foods: Kimchi (Korea) which would be correct since Kimchi originated in Korea. This on the other-hand is a bit misleading.
The title is a bit misleading though as it says World’s Healthiest Foods: Soy (Japan) which seems to imply that Soy is from Japan. For Kimchi the title says World’s Healthiest Foods: Kimchi (Korea) which in this case would be correct since Kimchi did originate from Korea. The way the title is written is just a bit misleading which could cause many to wrongly believe that soy originated in Japan and that tofu is a Japanese invention.
wtever,y u people go for country and wt not,its gud for everyone,healthy food does’t belong to any country ……………so dude just start eating …………..k take care….bye
HI MY QUESTION IS RICES LOW IN FAT AND WHICH ONE IS THE HEALTEST.
You will soon find that soy is a major contributer to breast cancer and it is not the health food it is promoted to be very similar to the milk conspiracy. Keep your breasts, stay away from commercial milk and soy. Eat fruits and vegetables and keep your health.
I’ve always heard that soy in Japan & China is fermented which is good. In U.S. it is not fermented which is why we get the problems from it like breast cancer, thyroid problems, and infertility.
To clarify: Japanese soy sauce (shoyu) types are different from Chinese – generally lighter – and Japanese tofu is different from Chinese tofu in taste and texture – again, lighter. (Western people who find Chinese tofu too strong-tasting often enjoy Japanese tofu; the delicate “silken” kind is delicious eaten as is, fresh and cold, with a simple garnish of grated ginger and a drop of soy sauce, and is a popular dish in summer). Both soy sauce and tofu doubtless originated in China, but Chinese and Japanese cuisines are very different, and Japanese versions of both are accordingly made and used quite differently. Natural soy bean foods (edamame, tofu, soy sauce, miso, natto etc.) as used in the Japanese diet, as well as traditional Chinese foods derived from soybeans, are extremely healthy; problems in the US arise from the fact that soy is a hidden ingredient in many highly processed foods, so soy is unwittingly over-consumed, along with a variety of chemical additives.
Is soy products really reduce male fertility?
Well.. There are so many things that we will never know if it’s the food or just in our head..
I my self had a problem with one of my hormone and when I started to drink soy milk and use soy product I actually made it without any medication or even going back to the doctors,, So I believed in it..
benifit of soybin paneer.nutrional value of soybin paneer(tofu) per 100gm
nutritional value of soybin paneer (tofu) per 100gm.&
Can you frezze tofu?