I am vegetarian and I am wondering about including tofu in my diet. A quick google has me confused. Is it safe to eat in moderation? Thanking you in anticipation

@Zoffiel @Vangirl I don't care what I eat as long as it tastes good. Can't come at tofu, something about the blandness and the texture. Made a North African-ish vegetable stew tonight which was delicious. New recipe, a keeper. Tomorrow it's tandoori chicken. And on Friday they can all sort themselves out 'cos the cook doesn't work on Fridays. She eats baked beans on toast or somesuch and ignores the whinging as best as she can :#

Confusing indeed, what to make of the first link (specifically section 7) We are more likely to survive if we consume soy, but also more likely to get the disease? My poor brain, I think I'll have to leave processing that piece of information for another life. Like all things cancer related there are so many studies and so many interpretations of the results. Force feeding rats soy for months is not the same as people eating it as part of a diverse diet.I'm sure there are things that I have done and still do--like carry an extra 10kgs of fat on my carcass--, that are going to put me at a higher risk than eating the odd bit of tofu ***pulls face and gags*** or putting soy milk on my cereal ***more spitting*** My oncologist quite rightly points out that the amount of soy present in 'soy milk' is very small and that you would have to consume a huge amount to ingest significant amounts of phyto-oestrogens. His opinion is that common sense should prevail and, particularly for vegetarians who want to keep their protein consumption at an appropriate level, the benefits of a generally healthy diet probably out weigh the risks of eating moderate amounts of soy.

@poodlejules I completely went off fruit and vegetables during chemo and am only just starting to enjoy them again now (1 month post chemo). I lived off pizza, icecream and chips.I put on 7 or 8 kilos but in my defence I'm building my new boob as I'm having a DIEP flap reconstruction!

Hi @LorraineB I am a vegetarian too and I don't think estrogens from food are proven to significantly boost bodily estrogens, when eaten in small amounts.'Plant oestrogens (phytoestrogens) may be able to replace some of the oestrogen lost at menopause and help reduce menopause symptoms. Evidence from trials has been conflicting and it is not certain whether they work any better than placebo...Large amounts of phytoestrogens are not recommended in people with oestrogen-positive breast cancer or other oestrogen-dependent cancers, as they may stimulate growth of cancer cells.'From here: https://www.thewomens.org.au/health-information/menopause-information/managing-menopause/#Non-hormonal%20medications

Hi @LorraineB, I know of ladies who enjoy their soy products and have weighed up their options in regard to their individual risks. I think ultimately its your decision but don't hesitate to ask your oncologist as they should be up to date with studies etc and will be able to give you an informed answer tailored to you. All the best xx

Should soy products be avoided for estrogen + cancer

36 Replies

Kiwi_Angel
Member
7 years ago
@poodlejules how interesting!
poodlejules
Member
7 years ago
@"Kiwi Angel" I was at a talk by a herbalist at a well being day at Counterpart here in Melbourne earlier this year, and he suggested that's why we love chocolate, as it's the perfect combination of fats, sugar and creaminess! And that it also evokes wonderful memories of breast milk! (without the cacao of course :wink: ) Go figure.
Kiwi_Angel
Member
7 years ago
Im a bit of a believer in if u have a food craving it’s something your body need (within reason of course). Since the poor thing went through hell this year I let it have what it wanted - think the whole “comfort food” thing helped mentally too.
Sister
Member
7 years ago
Carbs for me, too! Poor tummy couldn't cope, otherwise.
Kiwi_Angel
Member
7 years ago
@Vangirl it’s so weird - I thought my body would love my veggie diet but all it wanted was salt, sugar and fat!!
Vangirl
Member
7 years ago
@"Kiwi Angel" so strange isn't it? You'd think the body would crave vitamin and mineral rich foods but no, it's carbs all the way!
Kiwi_Angel
Member
7 years ago
@Vangirl it was very strange my body just craved crap like hamburgers and KFC so I let I have whatever it wanted so considering the crap it was going through. Healthier again now but still have an aversion to some foods I ate during chemo. Good thing u aren’t the vegan police ;)
Vangirl
Member
7 years ago
@"Kiwi Angel"good thing I'm not vegan or I'm fairly sure I'd be obliged to report you to some sort of higher authority for that! :wink: :smiley: :smiley:
poodlejules
Member
7 years ago
@primek, I started making my own with this gadget: https://www.veganmilker.com. Shouted myself for Christmas last year.
It works out a little cheaper than full priced almond milk from the supermarket and without all the additives and thickeners. If you can source almonds where you are, it could work for you .You can then use the almond pulp for slices and cakes, I even thickened soups with it this winter :)
primek
Member
7 years ago
Being in a remote town almond milk has been intermittent to get as a coffee when out hence my reading about soy. Most places have that. I do though get almond milk icecream which is much nicer than soy. I very much miss my dairy but since eliminating it mostly now I know I'm lactose intolerant it has been life changing.