Weight-Loss Tofu bad?

[jeffisbig]

I've been reading mixed info on the web about Tofu. If I were to have it as the main ingredient in two to four meals a week am I gonna get man boobs?

Apparently it can raise estrogen levels or some crazy thing like that. I read once a week is fine, but its a very good source of complete protein and I'm leaning towards a vegan diet. Its so easy to make delicious since its more or less tasteless and can go with so many things.

I was reading over a vegan body building site and all the recommended diets had nothing with tofu. Not one thing (and while this says nothing, it worries me).

Anyone have actual info on this? I really have had enough speculation on the topic.

would've posted in the vegetarian section, but last post there was over a month old and the last new thread was ever further, so i dont think it sees much traffic.

 

[William T.Hanks]

There is no estrogen in Tofu, but it contain phytoestrogens (plant estrogen - which is over hundreds of times less potent, weaker, than human estrogen) . So, tofu and other semi-processed soy products like tempeh or miso are safe for use in the diet.

 

[Jeanette401]

It's up in the air right now - I tried looking around pubmed, but they don't have anything concrete. Just that it needs more study (and probably research grant money).

I don't know that 4 times a week is going to grow man boobs - I wouldn't personally eat it with every meal, but I don't think I'd stress over 4 times unless you actually do see symptoms.

Quinoa and lentils are also good options for protein if you haven't tried working with them, but they're not as versatile as soy.

 

[Katikaaa]

I eat tofu a lot and my boobs are the same. I buy organic gmo free tofu.
If you think about all those hormones and antibiotics they feed the cows and chicken we eat, your chances of growing some boobs is about the same as if you'd eat a steak 4 times a week
But hey.. I'm no expert

 

[jeffisbig]

Thanks! Thats the problem, a lot of the info is so up in the air.

Yea, but who eats steak 4 times a week? And I've had milk almost every day of my life and never developed any problems, so I'm not so sure I'd worry about hormone injected cows, well at least in the sense of haming my body. Not really fair to the cows I guess. Unless its for cosmetic reasons or they are undergoing a sexual identity change, but i don't think cows do things like that.

I discovered seitan, so who needs tofu? It'll be nice to have once or twice a week though.

My roommate has been teaching me to cook, and its all vegan so I'm becoming vegan by default. The food is so filling and I can eat so much, so its really great for someone dieting.