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vegan without soy - can I get enough protein?


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I recently found out that soy consumption is is considered bad for women with PCOS (me in particular). As a vegan I have been eating plenty of soy. I cut back a lot but its still in my diet. Can I cut it out completely and still be healthy and get enough protien? I eat a ton of legumes and have no problem getting enough nutrients but I am still a bit concerned.

 

I am headed off to work but will check in when I get back. Any and all replies and questions are welcome.

 

Thanks,

Pup

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Holy shit yes. All whole plant foods contain enough protein -- with all essential amino acids -- to sustain you as long as you eat enough calories for your body.

 

I'm just baffled. How could you look at the fruitarian bodybuilder on the front page and not think that?

 

Anyways, here: http://www.drmcdougall.com/misc/2007nl/apr/dairy.htm

 

That should explain it more than well enough.

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i don't think we need that much of protein, nor soy... i rarely consume soy products and i never had any problem with protein... there are many other sources of protein.. i mean... its not like we need that much, we shouldn't even worry about protein, just care about getting enough 'calories' and a healthy diet at the same time.. try eating different things, different types of food, that's healthier than consuming soy 24/7...

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I've heard of this being an issue but at the same time I'm a bit concerned that its just another way people are trying to target soy as the bad guy. It may be an issue in this case so it may be a good idea but in nearly every situation where soy is said to be a problem...the science is very tainted.

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I've heard of this being an issue but at the same time I'm a bit concerned that its just another way people are trying to target soy as the bad guy. It may be an issue in this case so it may be a good idea but in nearly every situation where soy is said to be a problem...the science is very tainted.

 

i'm not really sure if soy is bad for us, but excess of soy is definitely a problem.

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I've heard of this being an issue but at the same time I'm a bit concerned that its just another way people are trying to target soy as the bad guy. It may be an issue in this case so it may be a good idea but in nearly every situation where soy is said to be a problem...the science is very tainted.

 

As it pertains to PCOS, the research is new and in my opinion, a little sketchy, but that I could feel better and be less at risk for diabetes and other insulin resistance concerns makes me more than willing to try something new. There is no fun in feeling like you have no control of your body and anything I can do to take that back I am all for.

 

Thank you all for your responses.

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I've heard of this being an issue but at the same time I'm a bit concerned that its just another way people are trying to target soy as the bad guy. It may be an issue in this case so it may be a good idea but in nearly every situation where soy is said to be a problem...the science is very tainted.

 

As it pertains to PCOS, the research is new and in my opinion, a little sketchy, but that I could feel better and be less at risk for diabetes and other insulin resistance concerns makes me more than willing to try something new. There is no fun in feeling like you have no control of your body and anything I can do to take that back I am all for.

 

Thank you all for your responses.

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Really, the only thing that stands in my way is convenience. Its so easy to fall back on soy products but I can change that easy enough.

 

There are tons of threads about making food choices easier (not necessarilly to get away from soy, but it can help). My biggest suggestion if you're hard pressed for time or want something easy is to make a large pot of split pea soup or lentil soup and portion it into freezer bags, that makes life a lot easier.

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If small amounts of soy don't bother you...larger amounts shouldn't either. Excess soy is really only a problem if your accustomed to problems with soy. I used to eat up to ten blocks of tofu in a day and never had any issues at all...if that isn't excess I don't know what is. Anyway...maybe you can get your insulin levels checked while eating a bit of soy...then maybe try going two weeks without any just to see if that changes at all.

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Two amino acids that are relatively lacking in most plant based foods, are tryptophan and methionine. Based on the essential amino acids suggested pattern of requirements (from the FAO, WHO and UNU), soy is a protein source that fills those requirements. However, there are two plant sources that are high in tryptophan and methionine - Spinach and Spirulina. If I could not eat soy then I would definitely eat a lot of spinach.

 

It's difficult to find a lot of information on how many mg of each particular amino acid is required for adults to maintain health and/or build muscle. I have found protein "scoring" based on the amount of each amino acid per gram of protein but have not found more detailed information. It would be very interesting to know which amino acids are used for muscle repair vs. the immune system, etc. If anyone knows of a source, I would be grateful for the information.

 

I have based my information on "Becoming Vegan" by Davis and Melina and nutritiondata.com.

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  • 2 weeks later...
If small amounts of soy don't bother you...larger amounts shouldn't either. Excess soy is really only a problem if your accustomed to problems with soy. I used to eat up to ten blocks of tofu in a day and never had any issues at all...if that isn't excess I don't know what is. Anyway...maybe you can get your insulin levels checked while eating a bit of soy...then maybe try going two weeks without any just to see if that changes at all.

 

The amount of food you can down never ceases to amaze me. I hope to see it in action someday! I eat a lot of soy and it seems to give me no problems. I have been doing so for about two years. I never ate it before that and my health has only improved vastly since then. I am not saying that soy is what did it, just that it most likely isn't hurting me.

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