The Protein Files: What's In The Meat You Eat

The soy controversy is a popular argument around the internet and even world of health for that matter. You seriously have it dissected straight through the middle. On one side, you have nutritionists and physicians stating that soy can benefit your health as a meat alternative. It can promote heart health by lowering cancer - IF you aren’t frying it like French fries or heavily drenching it in some high caloric sauce -, increase the healthy growth of bones, assist in reducing menopausal systems, and prevent most types of cancer. On the other hand, the aggressors state the entire opposite; that soy can implement malnutrition, cause digestive distress, immune-system breakdown, thyroid dysfunction, cognitive decline, reproductive disorders, infertility and those are only to name a few. Some also specify that it’s the method of fermentation that causes soy to become concentrated and more harmful to cell function, but, if that’s the case, then we shouldn’t be eating any fermented foods period like wine, coffee, kimchi, pickles, sauerkraut, beer, yogurt, aged cheese, chocolate, cider… In that respect, fermented foods is supposed to aid digestion, not prevent it.

Is meat, however, any better? I agree with the statement that an over consumption of red meat isn’t a great thing but it isn’t 100% deadly. First off, we can blame our dearest cattle rustlers for injecting cattle with chemicals to prevent them from getting ill. Sure, it helps the cows but their blood is absorbing that chemical and putting it into their flesh - the flesh that we ingest. Processed meat isn’t grand either. Ever read the back of a bologna or salami package? Ever wonder what’s really in a hot dog? Yeah, I looked and I wish I hadn’t. You won’t ever catch me seeing packaged deli meat or hot dogs no more than I would ever be seen eating a Tofu Pup again. Those things are gross!

I n the studies comparing tofu to meat, no one has considered fish or chicken. Beef continues to take hit after hit; poor cow. Is there, however, truth behind it all or is it just one giant argument that will never ever be settled?

That’s my job. I’ve decided to give myself a little project. I’m going to compare the benefits and disadvantages between tofu, beef, pork, and chicken and type it up in a highly organized documentation report. The reason why we can’t consume large amounts of fish is due to the mercury levels, that’s a given, but no one has really gone in depth into why we should or shouldn’t consume soy and meat more than one or the other. It’s all arguments and opinionated. I’m going to sort through the facts, answer my questions and hopefully help others in separating truth from fiction.

It’s going to be a tough job but somebody’s gotta do it. And I don’t mean to offend anyone.