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Vol. 4, No. 9
Soyfoods USA
October 16, 1999Soyfoods USA ...a monthly e-mail newsletter designed to inform media sources, dietitians, and consumers about the latest soyfoods information. Underwritten by the Indiana Soybean Board. Details at end of issue.
CONTENTS
1. What's the Frenzy Over Phytochemicals?
2. New Research Shows Soy Isoflavones Reduce LDL Cholesterol
3. New Soybean Compounds With Anti-Cancer Potential
4. Soy Coffee?
5. Ground Meat Alternatives
6. Recipes With Soy Hamburger-type Meat Alternatives
- Hot & Spicy Burrito Meat
- New Classic Bolognese Sauce
7. Getting on and off our list
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WHAT'S THE FRENZY OVER PHYTOCHEMICALS?
Recently posted at NetWellness is a good article about phytochemicals, a soybean component that provides health benefits to people who consume soyfoods on a regular basis, according to researchers. NetWellness is a non-profit consumer health web site that provides high quality information created and evaluated by medical and health professional faculty at several universities, so you might want to bookmark the site for further reference. (We especially like the article because they mention our Web site as a reference for further information about soyfoods.)
<http://www.netwellness.org/thn/ww2.cfm>
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NEW RESEARCH SHOWS SOY ISOFLAVONES REDUCE LDL CHOLESTEROL
Research published in the Archives of Internal Medicine last month indicate that increased consumption of soy foods, especially those rich in compounds called isoflavones, may lead to dramatic drops in blood cholesterol levels. A research team from Wake Forest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, says that people who consumed soy products with the greatest amounts of plant estrogens or isoflavones displayed substantial drops in low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or 'bad') cholesterol and total cholesterol levels in just 9 weeks.
And, the more isoflavones the soy product contained, the greater the effects on cholesterol level - effects which confirm that the heart-healthy benefits of soy are due to isoflavones, according to the authors.
<http://archinte.ama-assn.org/issues/v159n17/full/ioi81193.html>
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NEW SOYBEAN COMPOUNDS WITH ANTI-CANCER POTENTIAL
A previously overlooked group of compounds known as soybean saponins display strong anti-mutagenic activity in mammalian cells, according to a a research team at the University of Illinois working in collaboration with scientists from the USDA's National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research in Peoria. A new technique developed by the researchers allows them to quickly isolate and test individual soybean compounds for their anti-mutagenic potential. Most soybean research in the past has focused on the health effects of a soybean diet, so scientists now may be able to determine more precisely the soybean components that provide the health benefits.
<http://www.ag.uiuc.edu/news/articles/936125825.html>
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SOY COFFEE?
We have not tried this new product, but we are curious about Soyfees Choice, a coffee made from soybeans. The company touts it as the first coffee made from 100 percent organic fresh roasted soybeans. According to their news release, Soyfees Choice is dark, rich, and full-bodied, and brings you all the satisfaction of a robust brew without the caffeine. Even better they say, it contains all the important isoflavones: genistein and daidzein. It comes in either original roast or dark roast and four different flavors: hazelnut, almond amaretto, french vanilla and mocha. The price for 10 oz. is $9.95, satisfaction guaranteed or your money-back.
According to their Web site, they will send you a free sample for a $2.49 shipping and handling fee. Along with the sampler, they will send you a $5 certificate good towards your first order.
Any brave souls out there want to try a sample and tell us what you think?
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GROUND MEAT ALTERNATIVES
By Kim Galeaz, RD, Nutrition Consultant to the Indiana Soybean Board kimgaleaz@aol.com
When I decided to write about soy meat alternatives, I quickly realized lumping them all together in one column was not feasible. There simply were too many! Soy burgers, soy ground meat, soy hot dogs, soy pepperoni, soy breakfast links and patties, soy bacon, soy deli meats....whew. In this issue, I will discuss what I consider to be one of the most consumer-friendly soy items: ground meat alternatives. These products are designed to have the taste and texture of real ground beef, but they are fat-free and cholesterol-free. And they are a terrific source of soy protein. Probably no other soy meat alternative is so easy to fool friends and family with! A batch of Hot & Spicy Burrito Meat (recipe below) will win over the most adamant soyfoods skeptic.
Ground Meat Alternatives - Buying, Storing & Using Them
All ground meat alternatives contain textured soy protein, which usually refers to products made from textured soy flour, although the term can also can be applied to soy protein concentrate and spun soy fiber. Flavorings are added, including soy sauce, vinegar, spices and dried vegetables. Ingredients to help bind the product are added also, such as modified corn starch, carrageenan, wheat germ, gums, oat bran, wheat, tapioca or rice starch and/or wheat gluten. Caramel coloring is usually added for that cooked ground beef look.
Ground meat alternatives are purchased either refrigerated or frozen in supermarkets and health food stores. Remember to check the nutrition or health food section of large supermarkets if you do not find it in the produce or regular refrigerated or freezer case area. When cooked, these alternatives do not shrink or experience loss in weight, as does ground beef. Therefore, 12- or 14-ounce packages of ground meat alternatives will yield the same amount of cooked product as does 1 or 1.5 pounds of raw ground beef, once it is cooked.
Refrigerated Ground Meat Alternatives
One refrigerated version is the 14-ounce log. These are the closest in application to raw ground beef because they can be formed or shaped into hamburgers, meatloaf or meatballs. One popular brand is Gimme Lean by Lightlife. This type of ground meat can be frozen if it is not used by the date on the package. Product information states the shelf life is 85 days refrigerated or 1 year frozen. This product is not precooked and browned, which is different from nearly all other ground meat alternatives on the market.
Another refrigerated version is a precooked, ready-to-use crumble packaged in 12-ounce plastic wrap. Two popular brands include Smart Ground by Lightlife and Veggie Ground Round by Yves Veggie Cuisine. Since these are crumbles, they cannot really be formed into patties or loaves, so they are best for dishes like chili, tacos and burritos. And since they are precooked, all you need to do is heat them thoroughly. Avoid overcooking. Their shelf life varies; always check the package date. I personally have experienced good luck with freezing these products if I do not use them by the package date.
Frozen Ground Meat Alternatives
Packaged in 12-ounce plastic zippered bags, these precooked, prebrowned soy ground meats simply need to be heated - no need to thaw or cook before adding to spaghetti sauce, chili or taco fillings. Heat along with the other ingredients. A 12-ounce package is equal to 1.5 pounds of raw ground beef that has been cooked and drained. The zippered bag makes it convenient for singles or small families to use a little at a time and returning the rest to the freezer. Two popular brands include Morningstar Harvest Burger Recipe Crumbles and Ground Boca Burger Recipe Basics.
<http://www.wfds.com>
<http://www.bocaburger.net/home.htm>Flavored ground meat alternatives are available, from Italian to taco to sausage flavored. These convenience items make your dinnertime preparation even faster.
Ground Meat Alternatives Nutrition
These soy products are:
_Fat free, compared to ground beef which could be moderate-to-high fat, depending on the type of ground beef selected.
_Saturated fat and cholesterol free; regular ground beef can be a considerable source of saturated fat, and all meats contain dietary cholesterol.
_Dietary fiber! Regular meats contain no dietary fiber at all.
_A great way to add soy protein to your diet to receive the disease - fighting health benefits.Probably the only drawback of soy meat alternatives over ground beef is the fact they contain considerable sodium, whereas ground beef and all meats are naturally very low sodium.
Here is a range for four of the most widely available ground meat alternative products, per 2-ounce serving, which is 56 grams (1/3 cup or 1/2 cup - depending on the product):
60 -70 calories
0 g fat
0 g saturated fat
0 mg cholesterol
180 - 250 mg sodium
1 - 3 g fiber
3 - 8 g carbohydrate
9 - 12 g protein
0% Vitamin A
0 - 8% Vitamin C
4 - 6% calcium
10 - 15% ironMost ground meat alternatives are fortified with additional vitamins and minerals, so they more closely mimic regular ground beef in that regard. Zinc, Vitamin B12 and many other B vitamins may be added to boost nutrient levels.
Data Sources: Manufacturer nutrient facts label information.
Sixteen Savory Ways to Use Ground Meat Alternatives
1. Chili
2. Sloppy Joes
3. Hamburgers
4. Spaghetti Sauce
5. Pizza
7. Meatballs
8. Enchiladas
9. Main Dish Casseroles
10. Beef Stroganoff
11. Mexican Casseroles
12. Lasagna
13. Shepherd's Pie
14. Breakfast Casseroles
15. Meatloaf
16. Vegetarian Veggie SoupThe Money Issue
Ground soy meat alternatives range from $2.79 to $4.69 per package. Since this is equivalent to 1 to 1.5 pounds of ground beef, the price comes out close to ground sirloin or ground round, which may be $2.99 - $3.99 per pound. These two cuts of ground beef are the most fair comparisons, because they have the lowest fat content. Ground chuck and regular ground beef are definitely inexpensive (99 cents to $1.89 per pound) but their fat, saturated fat and cholesterol content are very high compared to soy ground meat alternatives.
Recipes With Soy Hamburger-type Meat Alternatives
1. Hot & Spicy Burrito Meat
1 package (12 oz.) soy burger style crumbles
1 can (4.5 oz.) chopped green chilies
1 can (10 or 14 oz.) diced tomatoes with green chilies
1 tsp chili powder
1/2 to 1 tsp crushed red pepper
10 drops hot pepper sauceMix all ingredients in large skillet. Cook over medium heat until heated throughout. Serve in flour or corn tortillas or taco shells.
Yield: 2 2/3 cups meat (8 - 1/3 cup servings). Serving size: 1/3 cup. Per serving: 80 calories, 2.5 g fat, 0 g sat fat, 8 g protein, 6 g carbohydrate, 420 mg sodium, 0 mg cholesterol, 2.5 g fiber.
2. New Classic Bolognese Sauce (Recipe courtesy of Boca Burger and nutrient analysis by Kim Galeaz, RD)
2 cups (8 oz.) Ground Boca Burger Recipe Basics
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tbsp olive oil
1 (28 oz.) can diced tomatoes
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
1 cup chopped mushrooms or zucchini (optional)
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup chopped fresh basil or 2 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)Cook Ground Boca Burger Recipe Basics and garlic with oil in large saucepan over medium heat 4 to 5 minutes. Add remaining ingredients; heat over medium heat 10 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve over your favorite pasta. Makes 5 cups sauce or 6 servings.
Per serving: 126 calories, 10 g protein, 16 g carbohydrate, 3 g fat., 0.3 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 438 mg sodium, 4.5 g dietary fiber
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<http://soyfoods.com/newsletter/SubscribeSUSA.html>
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Permission is granted to reprint this information, as long as credit is given to the Indiana Soybean Board <http://indianasoybeanboard.com>
Send comments or requests for information about Soyfoods USA to the editor, Roger Stevens, <info@soyfoods.com>
Back issues available at <http://www.soyfoods.com/newsletter/old/OldSUSA.html>
More information about soyfoods can be found at the U.S. Soyfoods Directory <http://soyfoods.com>.
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Copyright 1999
Indiana Soybean Board