I want to add another protein source to my diet for a while...I consume mostly egg whites, chicken and turkey and occassionally ostrich. I have used Tofu in the past in my egg whites. I noticed it is not in the master food list yet 6 oz. has 60 calories-1 grams of fat-2 grams carb and 10 grams of protein. Is there a reason I never see it on the diets here?

Leslie

LT

There's a lot of debate on soy and its proteins. For one, it is said to increase estrogens. If you have or possibility of having estrogenic cancers, it is a NO-NO to using soy or soy based products.

It may be healthy and have many good aspects, but if it's an off-season type diet, I believe in moderation for all things. A tofu here and a tofu there shouldn't pose a major problem.

Frank

Is it possible to be a vegetarian and be a body builder also? Just curious!!

Yes there is alot of controvery surrounding soy. I have read articles stating results of studies of women who use soy isoflavones as postive and some negative. Also, one of these effects is the that soy can be anti-estrogenic and reduce risk of estrogenic cancers, and other say it increases the risk...so many studies contradict each other !! Is it simply a battle between the industries vieing for the all mighty dollar...and the varios studies (pro and con) studies are self serving? Who knows. The myth surrounding Soy reminds me of the "don't eat the egg yolk controversy" of the past years.

But Frank I think you make a good point that in moderation there is no harm. I do use Soy Isolate protein drinks off and on. My husband swears by Soy Isolate...he uses it in the final stages of leaning out for summer..and it works well for him. Again controvery on this too...that is has a positive effect on the thyroid when extreme dieting.

Tim...school is still out on that one. I know there are a few success stories..Bill Pearl is a veggie. And I have come across a few here and there over the years. I think it is possible to do on a vegetarian diet...not easy, but possible.

Leslie

Leslie,

Thanks for posting this. I am going to use it on a 2X day, one time per week to give it a try. Soy is in so many product, you don't realize it unless an allergy, a bad allergy is present. Then you have to read the labels. All of them. Take some time to see what contains soy(bean). Non-dairy creamer, reduced fat PB, even many of the gel caps have soy.

I found that interesting when a poster once noted of their allergy to soy.

Frank

I find if I eat too much soy, whey or over due anyone source it starts to bother me. I have had a sensitivity to eggs and soy off and on. I slowly added them back to the diet, when I start to get the symtoms again I drop them for a few days. As Lara posted it is good to use various sources of protein.

Leslie

Is it possible to be a vegetarian and be a body builder also? Just curious!!

of course it is: Bill Pearl, Mr Universe 1971 . . .

But even Bill is eating eggs in his diet as an extra protein source.

The Home Of Champions - www.dasgym.com

I'm into my second week of using Tofu and soy in the diet. I'm getting leaner. Perhaps there is a point where I will not get leaner, but things are looking real good.

I'm only using it as I cycle through my foods. I'm also using a soy mix into my protein shakes. Next week will be fish/chicken only.

No soy. (hehe sounds Spanish).

Frank

Ah...here is where it is showing up. As I am preparing for the Texas Shredder, I'm having trouble.

I did the tofu thing and continued to use it. Worst of all, I used soy protein shakes and for nearly 3 months, high soy protein. Perhaps higher than 85 grams per day.

As my body is changing for this contest I'm having major issues with retaining the fat on the pects. There is a large portion of fat there compared to the rest of the body. Is it a result of too much soy? Probably.

I will continue to show my dislike for soy.

how many weeks out Frank? Yeah, i definitely would not use any soy products unless they were FERMENTED soy products. Certainly not what you normally find on grocery shelves.

I'm 4 weeks out. I don't believe I'm going to make it. Still too much fat on my upper body. I'm going to continue and see where I will be in two weeks.

My alternative? A two week zigzag. It seemed to work back in October. I had dropped calories and dropped, began losing too much muscle. I was down to 920 per day at 12 weeks out. That's when I knew there's a problem. Introduced HIIT and regular cardio,