Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Americans Love Soyfoods at Dinner Time

Thirty eight percent of Americans enjoy a dinner that includes soyfoods.(1) But Americans also enjoy soyfoods at many other meals occasions—32 percent enjoy soyfoods at breakfast, 20 percent at lunch, and 16 percent as a mid-afternoon snack. During April, National Soyfoods Month, incorporate this healthy option into one of your families’ meals.

“Soyfoods are a nutritious option for children and busy families,” says Stacey Krawczyk, MS, RD, LDN, Research Dietitian for the National Soybean Research Laboratory. “For families adopting a more plant-based diet, soyfoods provide the only plant-based complete protein, which contains all essential amino acids just like animal protein. Unlike many other protein sources, soyfoods are cholesterol-free and low in saturated fat.”

Soyfoods, which are the only complete plant-based protein, help families follow the Dietary Guidelines and enjoy a more plant-based diet. Soyfoods are easy to prepare and simple to incorporate into your favorite dishes, making soyfoods a healthy choice that fits into any busy family schedule:

Breakfast: Try soymilk on cereal or blended with fruit and oatmeal in a delicious smoothie.
Lunch: Try deli alternatives that taste great and offer all the benefits of soy.
Dinner: Meat alternatives are an easy way to add soyfoods to your menu. For a quick and easy dinner, try making tacos with soy crumbles in place of ground beef. You save on saturated fat and calories and they are ready in just minutes.
Snack: Soyfood snacks like whole soy nutrition bars, soy yogurt and soy pudding are perfect for active families looking for a variety of on-the-go options.
Any time: Traditional tofu can be used in any meal or desserts to decrease calories and provide a good source of complete protein.
For more recipe ideas, go to www.soyfoodsmonth.org.

No matter your taste preference, there is a soyfood option that can fit into your routine and help you maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle. The Soyfoods Association of North America wants you to try soyfoods during April, National Soyfoods Month, if you haven’t before. Look for information on soyfoods in your supermarket or visit www.soyfoodsmonth.org for fun recipes, lunchbox ideas, and help finding soyfoods in your local grocery store. This April, bring wholesome, tasty nutrition to your family’s dinner table with the delicious taste of soyfoods.

1. United Soybean Board 2009 Consumer Attitudes Report.http://www.soyfoods.org/wp/wp-content/uploads/2009/ConsumerAttitudes2009.pdf

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