TOFU...INCOMPLETE PROTEIN?

[kiki]

Hi I am keen to hear from people about tofu and its protein value for muscle building. I have been told tofu is an "incomplete" source of protein as it is derived from soy...I am confused by this as i thought protein is protein regardless of the source?

I am eating loads of cottage cheese, protein shakes, chicken and egg whites for their high protein content but thought tofu would make a nice change every now and then...however having been told its not as good despite reading its high protein value I am now very confused...can anyone help me please?

[Maximus]

When you combine legumes, nuts and seeds you make a complete protein which has a nice balance of protein, fats and carbs. I would avoid fake meats and tofu as there has been a lot of research into the harmful effects of soy. Try Tempeh, this is available in supermarkets and health stores and has a decent protein profile compared to Tofu. It also tastes better.

[Elite121]

Here is a brief summary on soy and yet amazingly people still maintain its a health food and feed soy infant formula's to their young, its beyond me really.I would not rely on it as a protein source.Its up to you really what you make of this info, I could be absolutely bullsh*ting you with all this, I'll add its not my own summary just a cut and paste job but a quick search will bring up plenty of studies and articles with serious health risks from eating soy.

High levels of phytic acid in soy reduce assimilation of calcium, magnesium, copper, iron and zinc. Phytic acid in soy is not neutralized by ordinary preparation methods such as soaking, sprouting and long, slow cooking. High phytate diets have caused growth problems in children.

Trypsin inhibitors in soy interfere with protein digestion and may cause pancreatic disorders. In test animals soy containing trypsin inhibitors caused stunted growth.

Soy phytoestrogens disrupt endocrine function and have the potential to cause infertility and to promote breast cancer in adult women.

Soy phytoestrogens are potent antithyroid agents that cause hypothyroidism and may cause thyroid cancer. In infants, consumption of soy formula has been linked to autoimmune thyroid disease. They also block thyroid medication, so people on those meds shouldn't have soy at all.

Vitamin B12 analogs in soy are not absorbed and actually increase the body’s requirement for B12.

Soy foods increase the body’s requirement for vitamin D.

Fragile proteins are denatured during high temperature processing to make soy protein isolate and textured vegetable protein.

Processing of soy protein results in the formation of toxic lysinoalanine and highly carcinogenic nitrosamines.

Free glutamic acid or MSG, a potent neurotoxin, is formed during soy food processing and additional amounts are added to many soy foods.

Soy foods contain high levels of aluminum which is toxic to the nervous system and the kidneys.

[rose]

Vegetarian protein is generally low in methionine, or one of the other sulfur or essential aminos, thus the argument that a vegetarian food such as soy is an incomplete protein.

A complete protein is considered to be one that contains an adequate proportion of all of the essential amino acids for the dietary needs of humans or other animals.

Complete proteins, also known as high quality proteins, contain all the essential amino acids in amounts adequate for human use; it may or may not contain all the others. Generally proteins derived from animal foods (meats, fish, poultry, cheese, eggs, yogurt, and milk) are complete, though gelatin is an exception. Proteins derived from plant foods (legumes, grains, and vegetables) tend to be limited in essential amino acids. Some are notably low, such as corn protein.

Some foods contain all the essential amino acids on their own in a sufficient amount to qualify as a "complete protein". Complete protein foods that also obtain the highest possible PDCAAS score of 1.0 are certain dairy products, egg whites, and soy protein isolate.

[kiki]

Thanks so much to all of you for replying you have more than answered my question. This was my first time writing on a forum i'm stoked with the responses.