Some of you have asked for my opinion regarding soy milk. Well, you know what they say? Don’t ask the question if you don’t want the answer. Just kidding. Actually the truth of the matter is I am not a fan of soy, rice or any other substitutes for milk. I will provide you with many of the reasons why a lot of physicians are not fans of soy milk. Before I do let me share with you how I came to my opinion.
I must admit I like cereal. I like cold cereal. I like hot cereal. I like shakes and smoothies. I have looked for products that I can substitute for milk to pour over my cereals, but in my earnest search I came up empty handed. I checked out soy milk and rice milk and even looked into almond milk, my own personal problem with all of these products is quite frankly they contain too much junk for my liking. Preservatives, chemicals and all sorts of junk that I just did not understand the reason for. Now that you know my objection to these products, allow me to share with you what many physicians believe regarding soy milk and substitutes for dairy.
- Most soy milk contains polyunsaturated vegetable oils. These oils may add to the imbalance of essential fatty acids in the body. It is believed that a chronic imbalance of essential fatty acids caused by regularly consuming polyunsaturated vegetable oils is a major cause of cardiovascular disease.
- Some soy milk contains syrup, evaporated cane juice or other natural sweeteners. Natural or not, sweeteners put significant stress on the pancreas and liver. Sweeteners raise insulin levels, which increases the risk of weight gain, high blood pressure, heart disease and other side effects.
- Miso, tempeh and natto, fermented forms of soy are healthy choices for people. Non-fermented soy products can cause health problems if consumed in large quantities on a regular basis.
So you see, there are many issues surrounding soy milk and soy products. My concerns are simpler. I just don’t want the extra junk. Since I hate to be the bearer of bad news, especially when asked the question from some of our very lovely readers, I do have what I believe to be a great solution. Ready my friends? We will make our own almond milk…I must tell you I cannot take credit for this recipe. It’s not my own, I simply found it and would like to pass it on to you since it is a great recipe.
Almond Milk
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups raw almonds (soaked in water overnight)
- 4 cups of water
- 3-5 dates (optional)
Directions:
- In a blender mix the almonds.
- Add the dates to add a bit of sweetness.
- Strain the mixture to remove almond granules.
So what is my opinion on soy milk? Simply put, bag the soy milk and try the almond milk recipe above. I would also like to state that sometimes our avid readers find great products that are natural and do not contain a lot of extra junk. If some of you find any of these products that are seemingly more natural please let me know; as I am a gal who loves cereal and would love to find some creamy goodness to pour over it. Until then, I shall make my own almond milk.
