As a vegetarian, I eat a lot of soy products, such as tofu, tofu burgers, and soy milk. Although I've often heard that soy foods are really beneficial to your health, I also hear that they could cause health problems. What's the truth about soy products?
- Angel*

As with many health claims, the benefits of soy may have been overstated. But the truth about soy products is simple — as long as you aren't allergic to soy, you can't go wrong by including them in your diet.

Soy foods are a good choice because they're high in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and polyunsaturated fat (the good fat). Soy is also a good source of protein and a great alternative to meat, which is high in saturated fat (the bad fat). This kind of diet, especially when it includes lots of fruits and veggies, is good for heart health and there is even some evidence that soy may help prevent some kinds of cancer. The bottom line is that soy is not going to hurt you and is a great part of any balanced diet.

Reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: October 2010

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*Names have been changed to protect user privacy.