<p>Ah, but when you fry tofu its inherent flavor really comes out. Culinary-wise, it behaves more like an onion substitute (you have to fry it for just as long as you would to caramelise onions) than a potato substitute or a meat-one. </p>
<p>Re post 27, not sure if anyone’s clarified this yet but ‘stinky tofu’ is a famous street food here in Shanghai. It probably has a proper name but believe me the common nickname is very accurate!</p>
<p>“Asians would have higher incidences of breast cancer.”
-I never read about that. However, I read about historically higher incidences of thyroid cancer in Asian population that is traced to overconsumption of soy products. Make sure that you consume all in moderation. We are having too much protein in American diet as it is. If not feeling like eating meat. it is OK not to have it. All this muscle repair and things are for buff bodybuilders and even they do not need as much as they think. Couple hours of normal exercise every day will not require some overindulgence of protein. I have been doing it for couple decades at least. I never was fond of meat or for that matter much of any protein food. I probably consume more nuts than average person, but I do not consume pound or so of nuts / day. I just forget to eat meat, eggs…etc., I love fruits. I am fine, my muscles are fine, I do much heavier weights in gym than HS girls who show much more muscles. If you love tofu, have it, why not? It does not mean that the rest of us should consume it or much of meat on a regular basis.</p>
<p>Protein is not just about building muscles – there are a lot of reasons that your body needs protein to function.</p>
<p>That said, most Americans do eat too much protein, as this country has a lot of meat consumption and protein is naturally occurring in even a lot of foods non-meat. However, if you’re just eating fruit and chocolate, you probably aren’t getting enough.</p>
<p>I think that the link between soy and breast cancer has not actually been proven in studies since phytoestrogen and estrogen aren’t the same thing. However, I do understand not wanting to take the risk that there is a link if you’ve already been through breast cancer once. I just don’t think it’s a proven connection at this point.</p>
<p>I eat a decent amount of tofu, and there are a lot of ways to prepare it so that it does get some flavor – but you need to be aware of that or like plain tofu. At this point in my life, I like plain tofu more than I used to. I feel bad for people who just chop up a block of it and try to eat it and decide they don’t like tofu, though. There are a lot of delicious things that you can do with it. And good vegetarian/vegan restaurants know how to prepare it well.</p>
<p>I never said that I do not consume protein. I just said that there is no reason whatsoever to believe that anybody in this country (including me) does not consume enough. We all consume too much (including probably me)
In regard to soy, my worry is not breast cancer bu thyroid cancer as I read about historical link in Asian population.
I also read that overconsumption of protein is one of the reasons for osteoporosis. I do not have it (proven by my recent very hard fall while rollerblading and by my height not going down) and I really want to keep it this way as it is much bigger threat than imaginary insufficient consumption of protein.</p>
<p>Last night, I looked up the tofu/breast cancer connection (had heard that before) and it seems the jury is out. As we can see from the protein argument, each new study provides a different interpretation. Asians do have higher incidences of western diseases as they take on a more western diet- I’ve read it can be seen within an individual’s lifetime.</p>
<p>The issue with animal protein is the fat. (Not to argue the additives, which are scary.) You need fat, but not nearly as much as consumed by too much red meat-based diet or the prep of even lower fat choices. The issue about protein building muscle: the body’s largest muscle is the brain. Don’t mess with the brain. This is one of this problems in aging, where our relatives start to pick and eat incomplete meals. Don’t assume eating what works for you today, what you think does, will provide insurance in your later decades.</p>
<p>Go for balance. Someone said Mediterranean, I like the Amer Diabetes Assn, which uses the new modified food chart. Balance between carbs and proteins, since carbs can convert to energy. Don’t assume. The reason every decent info source says consult a nutrition expert (usually not your own doc) is because most of us can’t wade through fads or separate what we like from what’s going to help in the long run.</p>
<p>Small correction- The brain may be the largest organ, but it isnt a muscle. That said, it is imperaitve to “exercise” it to keep it well vascularized and ourished.</p>
I believe osteoporosis and osteopenia are diagnosed by bone density tests, not by ones height or response to a fall. Its been discussed here before that height changes during the day as gravity influences our spinal column. A person can have spinal degeneration or other issues that may be separate from bone density issues. Bone density changes may be due to insufficient calcium or Vitamin D. Separate issue from protein.</p>
<p>It is easy to have a vegetarian night on a weekly basis and "embrace,vegetables,beans and grains in their natural state, but when you are a committed vegan/vegetarian, and eat a real plant based diet, like I do, then variety is always nice and including these products on an occasional basis is fun and you get to be creative in your meal planning.
As far as tofu, I actually like it in some dishes and I prepare my own, using the pressing with weights, marinating then baking, then you can do anything with it.</p>
<p>Two years ago, I accidentally discovered the tasty result when you cook frozen tofu – the ice crystals that form during freezing “freeze-fry” the tofu, making the inside layered and spongy and the outside firm for frying. After being frozen, even soft tofu won’t “crumble” during actual frying. In Chinese frozen tofu is known as “thousand-layer tofu”.</p>
<p>This morning I couldn’t be bothered to defrost my frozen tofu blocks so I put them straight in hot oil and covered for 5-7 minutes till parts of them became very brown and the oil became richly-colored. Then I flipped the tofu and added ground beef and garlic and ginger. Mushrooms and belacan (shrimp paste) followed quickly after. Belacan is very rich and salty (I only added a tablespoon) and quickly imparts a flavor to everything it touches, but its effect when combined with the golden juices from the formerly frozen tofu was synergistic. I probably didn’t even need the ground beef as the umami from the mushrooms was already very good, so it could have been excluded to make it suitable for my vegetarian-but-will-eat-seafood significant other. Yu choy and basil were added in the last minute.</p>
<p>When I bit into the tofu (rather large, fried pieces), the inside was so juicy. It was like savory tiramisu. The juices came from the tofu itself, as they were golden brown and relatively clear, compared to the shrimp paste / mushroom / beef / basil flavor sauce on the outside of the tofu. </p>
<p>Tofu has a latent rich flavor and does more than just “soak up” flavor when used properly. Having both significant amounts of protein and sugar, it’s capable of undergoing the Maillard reaction by itself (unlike a potato, or an onion) and can synergise its Maillard chemistry with other proteinaceous or sweet foods.</p>
<p>Miami- more incorrect information from you. The fact that you are not losing height or that you didn’t break a bone in your fall is NOT an indication that you don’t have bone density issues. Maybe you don’t, but as jym said, you would need a bone density test (which I’m sure you will not do, since you are opposed to diagnostic screenings) to determine that.</p>
<p>I am a competitive long distance runner and have been for over 30 years. I eat a generally healthy diet. I have osteopenia and some osteoporosis, despite taking Vit D and Calcium. A lot of it is genetic or simply being a smaller boned white female. I also have about 1 or more bad falls while running each year. I haven’t broken anything.</p>
<p>Your information on protein is completely misguided. Perhaps you should quit your day job and develop protein fortified donuts?</p>
<p>evitaperon-
What time are you serving? I’ll be there!! Sounds very yummy!</p>
<p>** almost forgot- and was reminded by MOWCs post above. When I had my first bone density scan for baseline purposes a few years ago, they told me it was necessary based on my risk factors-- my age and the fact that I was petite and slim! I wanted to kiss the tech for saying that, because I considered myself short, but not slim BTW, I have no other risk factors other than genetic predisposition as my mother had osteoporosis in her later years. But lo and behold I had osteopinia and was put on Boniva. I took it for several years but am now electing to take a 2 year med holiday, and am taking OTC calcium and vit D. They (my calcium and Vit D levels) were low last year but are WNL this year.</p>
<p>Again with the “everyone comments on everything” part of your world that I find so strange. In my world, you order something from a waiter and he / she makes note of it accordingly and that’s the end. The waiters don’t speculate on why you have the particular tastes you do, link it to your ethnic background, or act “surprised” at your food choices. I think you’re overstating the extent to which waiters really care about why you ordered what you ordered, or else you’re mistaking some friendly small talk (“just so you know, that dish is really spicy!”) with some world in which everyone routinely comments on everyone else’s choices.</p>
<p>eirann, it’s about using less cheese - which is full of calories and fat. I slice it up and put it in the bottom layer. I could imagine doing something similar with lasagne, but dh won’t eat noodles as part of his low carb regimine.</p>
<p>I really wonder the validity of the studies related to cancer. We have studies about the link between tofu and cancer and between red meat and cancer. We have studies about the good and bad of coffee, wine,… and there are disagrements among researchers. For years, pediatricians told parents should have babies sleeping on their belly and suddendly they told them to stop because of sudden infant death.</p>
<p>deborah,
"Miami, sorry to hear about the recent very hard fall. Hope you’re feeling better. " - Thank you. I was sour for very long time and all along I was pleasantly surpized that I did not break any bone. I am OK now.</p>
<p>I have osteoporosis, as confirmed by a Dexa scan-diagnosed at 52. I have never broken anything,was pretty active before my osteoarthritis ( although I am still fairly active with it) and am still premenopausal. Also have not lost any height and I do not eat a lot of protein, never have.
I suspect my osteoporosis is the result of malabsorption due to undiagnosed gluten sensitivity and lack of vitamin D.
Miami mentions she eats a lot of nuts. Nuts and seeds are very nutritious and part of the Raw diet. More protein in a small handful of almonds than in a small glass of milk.
Some web sites may claim that excess protein is the cause of osteoporosis, but more reputable sites illustrate that protein is very necessary for a healthy diet.</p>
Yu choy and basil were added in the last minute.</p>