We stopped eating edamame, a.k.a. soybeans, several months ago after Dee was diagnosed with mild thyroid troubles. It was high up on the long list of unhealthy foods for thyroids. In doing more research since then, we're seeing all sorts of negative things about goiters and infertility, and all kinds of things links to soybeans, soy sauce, etc. Sure, they're high fiber. But at what cost? The former wonder-bean is taking a dive. So, we're off it. Tasty little killer beans they were.
That's me (several pounds ago) looking across a sea of vicious man-eating soybeans, wondering how I will ever free myself...
Now, we're digging deeper into foods that we still eat, which probably contain soy. Things like our standby dessert item: the fiber bar. In the not-too-distant future, I plan to experiment with some recipes and combinations to maybe brew up some homemade fiber-laden dessert bars. I've been reading up on things like bulgur, barley, oat germ, and other "fiber-licious" choices. I'll let you know how that goes. :)
We're also toying with the idea of weaning away from our standard faux-sweetener of choice, the chemically delicious Splenda. Sure, I read somewhere that Splenda contains trace amounts of some chemical that we can never digest, and remains in our bodies forEVER. And so what if it bills itself as a NO calorie sweetener that really has something like 45 calories per cup? Okay, I admit... Splenda may have pulled the wool over my eyes just a bit. We've read about honey and agave nectar and all sorts of natural things that we may also try, just for funzies.
Why does food have to be so complicated? Maybe, by going back to more natural things, it doesn't really have to be. I think people are learning to eat more like their ancestors ate. Of course, their ancestors probably only lived to be about 30-40 years old. But let's blame that on poor sanitation, bad hygeine, and lack of medical advances, shall we?
The only thing that stays the same, is change...
--Jay :)
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EVIL SOY BEANS !!!! Never knew that, thanks for sharing. I too have a thyroid problem.
ReplyDeleteNatural is the way to go, even with junk food (everyone needs a tasty treat once in a while). For instance, I think you're better off having one "all-natural" soda with REAL sugar, than having a diet one with all those crazy chemicals. PS. Honey + natural peanut butter + oatmeal = WIN.
ReplyDeleteI shall refer to your usernames rather than real names to protect the identities of the innocent... :)
ReplyDeletemecajun - I know! I always heard awesome things about soybeans and ate about half a ton of them. Only when Dee was diagnosed with a goiter did we start researching more, and uncovered the hideous truth! They're still darn tasty little buggers, though.
TJCigic03 - True dat. We're taking a serious look at everything we eat, and trying to see if it can be made in a more natural, yet cost effective way. Cost effective being the key, there. My mom was in child nutrition in the school system for years, and she always said a little real sugar is better than artificial sweeteners, a bit of butter is better than margarine or fake butters, etc. Who knew moms were so smart? :)