https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 06 Apr 2026 12:23:21 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2121258 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 12:03:25 +0000 coopsmama 2121258@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We do try to limit soy, pregnant or not. We only consume it once or twice a month at most. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2121247 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:52:53 +0000 littlebug 2121247@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Um, I completely missed your announcement - congrats! I drink soy milk exclusively, and didn't change that during pregnancy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2121231 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:47:27 +0000 shopaholic 2121231@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MUI831: Oh wow! That would be really difficult! My BIL is usually on a paleo diet (no legumes) and it always shocks me what he can't eat. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2121197 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 11:18:18 +0000 Mommy Finger 2121197@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was tested for food intolerances awhile ago and found that legumes were a trigger so I cut out all beans, including soy. I've found that when I tried to add it back it would make me break out in hives. Beans have been ok but soy specifically is not. I was never a huge tofu fan but I do miss Asian food. A lot. And soy is in everything. I can be ok with small traces of it but really do try to avoid processed foods. But that's difficult at times. . . </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120751 Wed, 25 Mar 2015 00:52:21 +0000 PawPrints 2120751@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've had it very sparingly, sticking to rare occasions for tofu. I don't eat a ton of processed food but I'm sure I have gotten some there. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120714 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 22:43:03 +0000 Rainbow Sprinkles 2120714@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do, but only because I'm in camp "soy is not very good for anyone, ever, pregnant or not!" </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120665 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 21:20:11 +0000 Anagram 2120665@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I also think the main culprits of soy in the typical American diet is all the hidden soy in processed goods. I never read labels carefully until my LO had MSPI--and now I know that most sliced bread from the grocery store is made with soy flour (who knew?), and soy protein and soy lecithin is in EVERYTHING--ice cream, granola bars, many cereals, protein bars, all kinds of baked goods, all kinds of frozen foods--it's crazy!</p> <p>So if you are eating a pretty clean diet and incorporate some tofu, you are probably fine. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120640 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:46:54 +0000 snowjewelz 2120640@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Never thought to! I love tofu! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120632 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:39:43 +0000 blackbird 2120632@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do, because my estrogen runs high and my dr advised me to avoid it. I still eat tofu and soybeans sometimes, but it is not a staple in my diet. And I don't really eat processed food, so I know it isn't lurking. Comparing american diets to asian diets is pointless to me because we eat like shit compared to them :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120612 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 20:15:54 +0000 matador84 2120612@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Congrats! Wow, I have never avoided soy. I think it would be so tough! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120567 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:44:05 +0000 shopaholic 2120567@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks @oliviaoblivia: @Dandelion:!</p> <p>@oliviaoblivia: @macintosh: A lot of mixed and perhaps heavily biased stuff online out there about it, but this is what I found on Livestrong.com <a href="http://www.livestrong.com/article/500892-is-soy-safe-when-pregnant/" rel="nofollow">http://www.livestrong.com/article/500892-is-soy-safe-when-pregnant/</a></p> <p>"May Cause Reproductive Problems<br /> During certain periods of development, fetuses are more sensitive to estrogen exposure. Researchers conducted an animal study to examine potential risks of exposure to estrogenic-compounds from isoflavones -- phytoestrogens found in soy -- during critical pregnancy. The study found exposure to soy isoflavones altered estrogen-related reproductive activity. Researchers concluded phytoestrogen exposure during pregnancy may produce long-term reproductive consequences. The study is published in the January 2004 issue of the journal "Experimental Biology and Medicine."</p> <p>Phytoestrogen Concern<br /> A growing fetus is extremely sensitive to hormone levels in the womb. The concern regarding soy consumption during pregnancy centers around substances found in soy called phytoestrogens. These substances may mimic the hormone estrogen. Because phytoestrogens have a structure similar to human estrogen, they can attach to estrogen receptor sites throughout your body, according to New York University Langone Medical Center. This action may either increase or reduce the effects of estrogen within the body.</p> <p>Breast Cancer Risk in Offspring<br /> Because exposure to increased estrogen in the womb may increase breast cancer risk, researchers set out to determine whether exposure to the phytoestrogen genistein -- found in soy -- alters breast cancer risk. The results of the animal experiment showed in utero exposure to genistein increased the risk for mammary tumors, and that offspring exhibited a significant increase in estrogen binding sites. The results were published in the September 2009 issue of the journal "Oncology Reports."</p> <p>So it seems like, for girl fetuses, risk of breast cancer later in life, and for boy fetuses, maybe too much estrogen and lower sperm count? IDK, so much to consider, but when I think of all the Asians in the world consuming soy and not that much breaks cancer or low sperm count issues, I'm so torn. </p> <p>@Madison43: Yes. This. I think it's just too scary about all the GMO soy stuff in foods we don't even realize. </p> <p>And maybe my concern about all this just means I love soy stuff way too much. lol </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120554 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:33:53 +0000 Madison43 2120554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@bluestriped bee: @shopaholic: I could be totally wrong, but I thought the difference between traditional diets that include soy and our Americanized diets is that soy is now added to a lot of products that we don't even realize, so the soy that you're intentionally consuming - tofu, etc... - is only part of what you're actually consuming, making moderation difficult if you're not a label reader. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120538 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:25:30 +0000 Dandelion 2120538@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No advice, but congratulations! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120535 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:24:31 +0000 macintosh 2120535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@shopaholic: Nope. I've heard of avoiding it during TTC but not during pregnancy. DH is vegetarian, therefore soy based meat substitutes are a staple of our diet. What are the supposed risks in pregnancy? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120533 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:24:23 +0000 Mrs. Pen 2120533@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I avoid it. But I agree it's super controversial! What I've read is that in traditional Asia (and I'm not Asian so I have no idea if it's true), they would ferment their soy and that made it a health food (similar to sauerkraut). I'm not sure of the logistics behind it. But I'll eat tempeh because it's fermented and it's really good- I put it in stir fries. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120532 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:24:13 +0000 oliviaoblivia 2120532@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't know this was a thing.<br /> So I didn't avoid it, but don't eat too much as it is.<br /> Congrats on #2!!! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120529 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:22:01 +0000 hotchildinthecity 2120529@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I do, but because of my pcos. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120527 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:19:52 +0000 BSB 2120527@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've wondered about this as an Asian, too. My mom lived in Vietnam and ate a lot of tofu and my sister is okay.</p> <p>I do like tofu but I don't eat it as much as my mom. I think in moderation is fine.</p> <p>ETA- this thread is making me crave soy products. I could have a glass of soy bean drink right now, but I wont. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120505 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:08:47 +0000 shopaholic 2120505@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Tidybee: Thank you!</p> <p>lol, I guess I don't know how much is "moderate" because we probably have tofu at least 4xs a week? And I don't tend to like much meat or eggs while pregnant anyway. </p> <p>@danda: I think 2xs a week sounds like a good "moderate" number. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120500 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:05:52 +0000 Foodnerd81 2120500@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't totally avoid it, but I don't eat a ton of it anyway. I would say in moderation is fine and probably way better than most processed foods, right? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120497 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:05:02 +0000 danda 2120497@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I personally just limit it...everything in moderation. I am usually vegetarian but I eat meat during pregnancy because I don't want to rely too heavily on soy protein just in case (and because while I do believe it's possible to get enough protein while vegetarian and pregnant, I don't trust my nutritional choices enough without meat or tons of soy). I probably consume some form of edamame or tofu on average 2x per week right now and I am completely comfortable with that level. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120495 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 19:02:10 +0000 Tidybee 2120495@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I completely missed your announcement! Congrats!<br /> I don't know much about it but it sounds like you're eating the best kind you can and my rule of thumb is everything in moderation when pregnant (deli meat, fish, etc) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/diddo-you-avoid-soy#post-2120487 Tue, 24 Mar 2015 18:56:40 +0000 shopaholic 2120487@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Both DD and I love tofu and consume quite a bit. So much controversy seems to surround soy though, and I've pretty much only bought non-GMO, organic tofu since DD started eating it. She doesn't eat a lot of meat or milk, so I feel like tofu a a big source of protein for her. </p> <p>Now that I'm pregnant again, DH is against me having tofu or soy milk. Same as with first pregnancy. He's worried about too much estrogen. Ahhh! All the stuff I read makes me worried, but flip side, I think so much of it is propaganda! I mean, Asians have been consuming so much soy for generations! Do I really need to worry?</p> <p>Do you avoid soy for LOs and/or during pregnancy? </p>