This giveaway is now closed. Thanks for stopping by. The winners are Nancy and Claire. Congrats!
My mother reminds me that as a baby, I was very fussy. It wasn’t until her and my pediatrician switched me to soy formula that the “colic” went away. I’ve never been able to tolerate milk. Up until I got pregnant with my son 2 1/2 years ago, I never worried about the soy products I was consuming. Now I’m faced with a toddler who we suspect may have an allergy to dairy products. And I’m nursing a baby girl and am concerned about the potential hormonal effects of soy consumption.
Last week I had an opportunity to speak with Dr. Alan Greene. I had an opportunity to meet him in person last year at a Los Angeles Spa Event for Episencial and Sprout Baby. Dr. Greene has an incredible repertoire of knowledge and experience as a physician, professor, and father. Here is a brief bio:
Dr. Alan Greene is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Stanford University School of Medicine, an Attending Pediatrician at Packard Children’s Hospital, Senior Fellow at the University California San Francisco Center for the Health Professions, and a father of four. Dr. Greene is a regular columnist for Kiwi Magazine, and is the online Pediatric Expert for Healthy Kids, and American Baby. He also runs Dr. Greene.com, a source for parents, family members, students, and healthcare professionals to find answers and engage in discussions related to children’s health. He is also the Pediatric Expert for The People’s Pharmacy on NPR and Healing Quest on PBS. DrGreene.com teamed up with Silk soymilk in September of 2009 to help teach families about important issues concerning nutrition and soy. In addition, Dr. Greene is the author of a number of books, including Feeding Baby Green, Raising Baby Green, and From First Kicks to First Steps.
[Hellos and Greetings]
Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with me and answer a few questions I have about soy.
There is a lot of controversy about soy. We think my son has an allergy to dairy. We’ve tried rice and almond milk without any success. I grew up drinking soy milk because I have a lactose intolerance. What is your opinion about estrogens and hormones in soy and their effect?
There has been a lot of controversy in the past couple years stating that plant nutrients resemble estrogens called phytoestrogens. Some studies have shown wonderful health benefits including the prevention of cancer. Interestingly enough, phytoestrogens are not just in soy. In fact, flaxseeds contain the highest levels.
Can soy trigger premature puberty in children and can children have too much soy? If so, is there a limit to how much they should consume?
I can’t find any evidence of that coming from soy. It is true that the age of puberty is falling. In terms of the influence of estrogen, I’m much more concerned about the estrogens in plastics and skin care products and pesticides. Children can consume 2 cups of soy milk a day, just like they would if they were consuming cow’s milk.
Are there any benefits of soy consumption for children?
Soy is a wonderful whole food with health benefits. It is a complete protein and serves as a source of Calcium and Vitamin D.
What should I be looking for in a soy product?
I prefer organic, non-GMO soy products made from whole soybeans.
Can you tell me a little more about GMO’s?
Genetic modifications are pretty common now in soy. They insert DNA into soy that makes [the plant] more resistant, rather than spraying more pesticides. I prefer not to consume products with this type of soy, but there is not any solid evidence that this is a problem.
Is soy an effective alternative (nutritionally) to dairy for a child who is allergic?
Many of the soy milks on the market are fortified with Calicum and Vitamin D and thus can be used as an alternative to cow’s milk.
I’m nursing a baby girl. Should I avoid soy?
There should be no reason to avoid soy and I would recommend no more than 2-3 cups of soy milk day.
What about soy consumption in women at risk for breast cancer?
Soy consumption (as part of a balanced diet) is safe for women at risk and has actully shown to decrease the risk by 20%.
I definitely learned a lot about the positive benefits of soy. Here is a brief recap on soy:
Childhood Development
- Soyfoods provide families choices for children who have allergies to dairy, nuts, fish, peanuts, or other protein sources and who want to eat more plant-based diets.
- The prevalence of soy allergies in the pediatric population is extremely low (estimated to be less than 1%).
- There are no medical reports finding any negative association between consuming a diet including soyfoods and growth and development of children.
- Soyfoods do not cause early puberty in kids.
- Great tasting soyfoods naturally provide high-quality complete protein, iron, essential fatty acids, magnesium, calcium, potassium, fiber, and other nutrients required by growing kids and adolescents.
How to Incorporate Soyfoods into Your Child’s Diet
- Replace or blend the high calories of meat with soy meat alternatives
- For kids who don’t drink cow’s milk, you can get the calcium, protein and Vitamin D in the many flavors of soy milk
- For a snack, make soy nut trail mix, soy smoothies, soy chips
Breast Cancer
- Soy is not only safe for women at risk of developing breast cancer, but it may prevent breast cancer, especially when consumed early in life.
- Five significant recent studies on women have found women who are at risk for developing breast cancer or who are breast cancer survivors can safely consume moderate amounts of soyfoods.
- The National Cancer Institute and the American Cancer Society recommend that breast cancer survivors can safely consume moderate amounts of soyfoods.
Testosterone
- A recent comprehensive review of the evidence to-date on soyfoods and testosterone levels concludes soyfoods do not affect men’s testosterone levels (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19524224).
- Research has pointed to everything from milk, processed meat, and possibly soy; however, urologists say the major risk factors are actually body weight, prescription drugs, smoking, intake of alcohol, and certain disease states.
Bone Growth
- Just like cow’s milk, most soymilks provide 300mg or more of calcium per cup.
- The majority of soymilks are fortified with vitamin D, A, and B12 at the same levels found in dairy milk.
Win It! Two of you will each win two coupons for a half gallon of Silk Heart Health. Simply leave me a topic-related comment or question. Comments will close on February 24, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST. One comment per person, please (unless you do the extra credit). US residents only. Duplicates and comments not including the above information will be disqualified. Comments are moderated. If you don’t see your comment in a reasonable amount of time, send me an email. Bloggers and non-bloggers may enter. If you don’t want to leave your email address, please be sure to check back for my announcement on the winner. Please note that winners must respond within 48 hours of being announced/contacted or another winner will be drawn.Want an extra entry? Do any or all of the following and receive an extra entry for each one.Be sure to leave me a separate comment for each additional entry.
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I did not receive compensation for this post. I had the honor of interviewing Dr. Greene, who provided the information (along with the PR company) and coupons for Silk products.
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Thanks for the extra information! I drink soy because I am lactose intolerant, but good to know that I am gettting plenty of vitamins this way!
I subscribe to the rockin’ mama via e-mail!
This is such a great alternative to cow’s milk, which I don’t like giving to my daughter
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I subscribe via email
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Thank you for this interesting article and your interview. Some of those questions actually answered some of my personal questions about soy!
email subscriber
My neice drinks soy, because she is allergic to alot of different things. She couldnt even get the flu shot because of the egg products that are in it. I would love to win these for her.
Thank you for the information
sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com
I am an email subscriber
sarahcoulsey03 at gmail dot com
I really love Soymilk – I drink both regular milk and Silk. I love Silk’s chocolate soymilk!
I haven’t tried Silk yet but my daughter in law likes it. I’m just not sure if it compares to nonfat milk or if it is too rich for me.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
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lkish77123 at gmail dot com
we love soy
Great interview…I didnt know that much about soy and found it interesting. I have never tried soy milk but would like to because of its benefits…It is a complete protein and serves as a source of Calcium and Vitamin D.
Thanks for the review and giveaway!
I subscribe via email
Thank you for the info, I like silk soy because I am lactose intolerant.
runningmatey at hotmail dot com
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runningmatey at hotmail dot com
i didn’t realize that soymilk contains calcium.
oheeyore at hotmail dot com
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oheeyore at hotmail dot com
tweet: http://twitter.com/oheeyore/status/8996701268
oheeyore at hotmail dot com
I made a soy milk smoothie and here I find out its healthy .
All I drink is Silk soy…I had a tummy ache for 2 years before I figured out it was from dairy milk…switched to Silk soy and all is well again 🙂
I am an email subscriber
I didn’t think I would like this milk but I love the Silk chocolate.
I follow and tweeted.
I subscribe by email.
Both of my daughters are sensitive to dairy. We were battling ear infection after ear infection and after removing dairy from their diets, their ears have been doing better. It is amazing how fast Aiyana’s health improved. They both do well with almond and rice milk, but we are starting to incorporate Soy as well. Thanks for the post. I love Dr. Greene’s website. I was on it the other night reading some of his articles to my husband.
soy may help menopause symptoms?
My husband and I drink soymilk in addition to cow’s milk because we enjoy it. We haven’t yet given our daughter soymilk but soy is found in a lot of food products so she’s certainly consumed some. I was always concerned about the relation between soy and precocious puberty. (Glad you addressed this with Dr. Greene.) Ten years ago, soy was considered a fringe treatment for women going through menopause.
I’m an e-mail subscriber.
I love silk products. The chocolate milk version and the egg nog version are better than the real thing even.
I was glad to read the updated info about breast cancer and soy. not being related. I had been avoiding it because of the news reports that had come out.
I subscribe by email.
I use Silk all the time. I cook my oatmeal in it for breakfast every morning.
I don’t drink regular milk except in cereal, I just never have been a fan of it and it always seems to cause me stomach issues. I would like to try the soy milk and see how it taste
follow on twitter and tweeted http://twitter.com/ivansmom60/statuses/9065512575
email subscriber
I love that you get just as much calcium from Silk as you do from milk. Thanks!
Silk milk is good
This was a really interesting read; thanks! I was under the impression that it was bad for me to drink soy milk while nursing, but that doesn’t seem to be the case.
I’m an RSS subscriber
Soy is the only kind of milk I drink. I also eat lots of tofu.
I would love to try Silk! I love that soy milk is low in fat, but still full of vitamins and protein:)
mscoffee77(AT)juno(DOT)com
I just have to say – I admire Dr. Greene immensely. I appreciate that he manages to stay focused on a more “natural, preventative” kind of medicine than is the current norm in our country.
His book – “Raising Baby Green” – is one of the best baby care books out there.
I love Silk soymilk — I’m lactose intolerant and Silk is my milk of choice 🙂 *Thanks* for the giveaway!
Following you on Twitter and Tweeted
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i couldn’t possibly go back to a life before silk!
Since I switched to soy milk, my triglycerides and cholesterol have plummeted.
After reading the possible benefits of soy in the diet, I have switched to buying soy milk and so far we are happy with it.
we drink it all the time and the coupons would be great!
I’ve tried Silk before and it tastes better than regular milk.
recently tried soymilk and found it tasty
follow you and tweeted Latest: https://rockinmama.net/2010/02/10/dr-greene-speaks-to-rockin-mama-the-truth-about-soy-giveaway/ less than 5 seconds agoLatest: https://rockinmama.net/2010/02/10/dr-greene-speaks-to-rockin-mama-the-truth-about-soy-giveaway/ less than 5 seconds ago from web
Ive never tried Soy milk is it as good as regular milk 🙂
Would like to win this soy milk for my husband ., soy joy joy !
Thank you for the informative interview. Many of my questions are now answered.
I follow via GFC
I think that Silk Chocolate Milk tastes amazing. It’s actually one of my favorites.
I follow you & tweeted: http://twitter.com/MelodicMom/statuses/9541107775
I always drink soy milk instead of cows’ milk. Silk is one of my favorites. Thanks.
The taste of soy milk takes a little getting used to, but it is very, very good once that is achieved!
What is the difference between regular Silk products and low-fat ones?
I’ve never actually had soymilk but I think I’m going to try it!
Ive never tried silk, but Ive actually been considering switching to it more and more. I mean, Health is important to me, and my family.
I am lactose intolerant so soy milk is all that I drink.
Thank you for the additional information on Soy. My husband has been reading on the benefits of Soy milk and Soy on Prostate problems. Much positive due to the difference in fat content of milk. Would enjoy this win!!
great alternatve to cows milk ty.
I was surprised to learn that soy milk has so much calcium and is fortified with Vitamin D.
I subscribe to your feed.
I really enjoy soy milk. this inteview was very informative!
I wold love to try this instead of regular milk. I also heard it really keeps your complexion nice too. Thanks for all te info.
mightynaynay(at)cs.com
I’ve heard alot about the healthy benefits of soy milk and would like to try it out.
I subscribed to your email feed.