Dear Erika,
I’m new to this whole vegan thing. I’ve read so much about soy being a great source of protein. I don’t even know where to start. Do you have any suggestions on how to add it to my 9 year old son’s diet?
– Amy, Dallas, Texas
Dear Amy,
First off, congratulations! It’s always exciting to talk to newbies!
I’m a proponent of simple foods. Stick to whole soy foods, such as soybeans, soy nuts, tofu or tempeh. Fermented soy such as miso, can have a large amount of salt. More processed soy, such as soy patties or nuggets also can have a lot of added salt and sugar.
Another option is to drink your soy. While I prefer the taste of almond milk best, soy milk is a great animal milk replacement with tons of protein and good fats. Make sure that you look for Vitamin D fortified soy milk!
Tofu is so versatile! To start, just buy firm tofu, drain, and cube it. You can add any of your favorite marinades, such as BBQ, and add it as you would cubed chicken to recipes. Then go check out all the amazing tofu recipes on this site for more!
My favorite way to get my soy on? Straight up, soybeans! They can sometimes be hard to find fresh, but it’s easy in the frozen section. I buy them flash frozen, still in the pod. Just boil for 6-8 minutes and serve warm. My kids love squeezing out the beans. Who doesn’t love food that entertains?
Plant Powered Kids – YAY!
Thanks,
Erika
Ask Erika is exclusively featured on Generation Veggie
I’m new to this whole vegan thing. I’ve read so much about soy being a great source of protein. I don’t even know where to start. Do you have any suggestions on how to add it to my 9 year old son’s diet?
– Amy, Dallas, Texas
Dear Amy,
First off, congratulations! It’s always exciting to talk to newbies!
I’m a proponent of simple foods. Stick to whole soy foods, such as soybeans, soy nuts, tofu or tempeh. Fermented soy such as miso, can have a large amount of salt. More processed soy, such as soy patties or nuggets also can have a lot of added salt and sugar.
Another option is to drink your soy. While I prefer the taste of almond milk best, soy milk is a great animal milk replacement with tons of protein and good fats. Make sure that you look for Vitamin D fortified soy milk!
Tofu is so versatile! To start, just buy firm tofu, drain, and cube it. You can add any of your favorite marinades, such as BBQ, and add it as you would cubed chicken to recipes. Then go check out all the amazing tofu recipes on this site for more!
My favorite way to get my soy on? Straight up, soybeans! They can sometimes be hard to find fresh, but it’s easy in the frozen section. I buy them flash frozen, still in the pod. Just boil for 6-8 minutes and serve warm. My kids love squeezing out the beans. Who doesn’t love food that entertains?
Plant Powered Kids – YAY!
Thanks,
Erika
Ask Erika is exclusively featured on Generation Veggie
