Edamame While TTC

hsilverm

So I just finished eating a bowl of edamame and began to wonder if it is ok to eat while TTC. I know it is soy and contains phytoestrogen, which mimics estrogen. Do you think eating soy products (such as edamame) could create issues in ovulation of fertility? I am sure large amounts may create issues but small amounts? I did Google it but found mixed reviews. I know there are many vegans out there that consume plenty of soy and seem to be fine. However, I started to think more about it since I grew up on soy milk (I am lactose intolerant) and have tofu from time to time. Please share if you avoid all soy or eat it in moderation.

CocoR04

Great question, as I am also lactose intolerant.  I'd love to know other's opinions on this topic.

RaeDae29

 I eat it in moderation. 

 Have you tried almond milk instead of soy?  It's pretty good.

hsilverm

MissMusic:

We eat tofu maybe twice a week.  I've mentioned it to my doc and he didn't think much of it.  I don't have any good info for you, just a quote from MH:

"It can't be that bad--a few billion Asians in the world say otherwise." 

Awesome! I think I will just have it in moderation.

hsilverm

RaeDae29:

 I eat it in moderation. 

 Have you tried almond milk instead of soy?  It's pretty good.

I have and it's okay, but I actually don't like ANY milk. I should have mentioned that I stopped drinking soy milk when I was 8. I am one of those weirdos who enjoy cereal dry lol.

abbyful

Soy is on my "avoid" list, even just for general health. Or my "try to avoid" list because it's nearly impossible to avoid; I know I eat things with soy when I go to restaurants, but I don't buy anything with soy for my at-home consumption. The only soy fit for human consumption is fermented soy (like miso and tempeh).

https://www.naturalnews.com/025513_soy_food_soybeans.html

https://www.healthy-eating-politics.com/dangers-of-soy.html

https://www.westonaprice.org/Soy-Alert/

https://www.amazon.com/Whole-Soy-Story-Americas-Favorite/dp/0967089751/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317946387&sr=8-1

I would suggest almond milk over soy milk. I think goat milk is lower in lactose than cow milk too.

MissMusic:

"It can't be that bad--a few billion Asians in the world say otherwise." 

Most of the soy we eat in America is industrialized soy, similar to industrialized corn, it's broken up into many different things, far from it's "natural" state. And we eat it in EVERYTHING, read the ingredients on almost anything at the store and it contains soy; and sometimes we use it as a "meat replacer". Asians use soy more as a condiment. The average American actually eats significantly more soy than the average person living in an Asian country.

nyc7781

I'm a PA and I've never heard of this being an issue.  I guess you can run it by your ob/gyn, but I'm pretty sure it's fine.  GL!!

DemoDoll

I actually just met with a personal trainer/nutritionist tonight and he talked about soy products. He said processed soy products, like soy milk, soy protein powder, tofu, etc. are bad for you because it can increase your estrogen and progesterone in a bad way (it's even been known to link to estrogen positive breast cancer). He said to avoid it as much as possible. But unprocessed soy like edamame, miso, and tempeh are great sources of protein. I love edamame so I was glad when I found that out!

 

ETA: a ton of typos, wow! 

hsilverm

DemoDoll:

I actually just met with a personal trainer/nutritionist tonight and he talked about soy products. He said processed soy products, like soy milk, soy protein powder, tofu, etc. is bad for you because it can increase your estrogen and progesterone in a bad way (it's even been known to link to estrogen positive breast cancer). He said to avoid it as much as possible. But unprocessed protein like edamame, miso, and tempeh are a great source of protein. I love edamame so I was glad when I found that out!

 Yay! I'm glad to hear that.

Switzerland87

I'm a vegetarian, and have done a lot of research on this. The general consensus that I've found is to eat it in moderation, like anything else. Research connecting soy to breast cancer and hormone imbalances have no conclusive evidence. Other research that I've read suggests that yes, the phytoestrogen could theoretically create problems, but that the amount of soy that one would have to consume would be virtually impossible to eat. Like, pounds of soy products every meal, every day, for decades.

That being said, I only eat soy as edamame, tempeh, or occasionally tofu or a veggie burger. I don't eat a lot of it, so I'm not super concerned.

versed

abbyful:

Soy is on my "avoid" list, even just for general health. Or my "try to avoid" list because it's nearly impossible to avoid; I know I eat things with soy when I go to restaurants, but I don't buy anything with soy for my at-home consumption. The only soy fit for human consumption is fermented soy (like miso and tempeh).

I'm the same with soy - I've been doing lots of research on it over the years, and while the research out there is split, I'd rather not risk it during my child-bearing years. 

 

MrsAB1316

I think my prenatal vitamins have soy in them, so it can't be too terrible if you keep it to small portions.   And, I love edamame and now I'm craving some.  Thanks a lot.  lol

gplove94

This thread was interesting. Thanks. Learn new things everyday.