Soy and Rice: Too Much of a Good thing?

So, you’re dating a vegan, going gluten-free, or just really into meatless chicken wings? That’s great, but there’s a few things you might want to know before you nosh. It turns out that some of the most popular wheat and meat alternatives are full of dangerous toxins. I’m looking at you, rice and soy.

Soy Veh!

The Good

• Soy lowers cholesterol and increases heart health with good fats. Mmmm, good fat.
• A little tofu in your diet can lower risk of breast and prostate cancer.
• Edamame and unprocessed soy foods are a good source of fiber, protein and nutrients.

The Bad and the Ugly

• Ninety percent of soy is genetically modified (GMO) to withstand the assault of pesticides that are some of the most dangerous in existence, negating the cancer-fighting properties of soy. Beware the pad thai of death!
• Soy contains compound that mimics estrogen, messing with your hormones.
• Unfermented soy (soy milk and tofu) contains anti-nutrients & neurotoxins, making it hard for your body to digest the good stuff.

Arsenic Krispies?

• Consumer Reports recently found dangerous level of arsenic in both organic and non-organic rice.
• There is no federal limit for the amount of this toxic human carcinogen in most of our foods.
• Arsenic causes bladder, lung, and skin cancer and increases your risk of liver, kidney, and prostate cancer. Not nice stuff.
• Brown rice had the highest levels.
• Imported jasmine, basmati and other aromatic rice tested much lower for arsenic.

How much is safe?

• Organic soy is safer than non-organic soy and you can find it in most grocery stores on campus, definitely in Whole Foods.
• Try limiting your soy intake to one serving a day. Soy is in a lot of things, so be just take it easy on the soy milk, veggie burgers and fake bacon bits.
• Be on the safe side with rice. No more than three servings a week and the arsenic exposure should be at an acceptable level.
• If you’re a rice-a-holic, buy the imported, aromatic variety. Remember, vegetables and fruits are always your best bets for a healthy diet.