Q: I love soy milk and started drinking it when I thought it was healthy for me. Now I read that soy is unhealthy for people. Please clarify whether soy is healthy or dangerous.

A: Thank you so much for bringing this up! I come across people with this question all the time.

Despite the soy health craze marketing that transpired in the past decade, the reality is that soy is unhealthy for the body. Both the carbohydrate and the protein are difficult for humans to digest. The carbohydrate portion tends to cause people digestive disturbances, while the protein causes inflammation. In some cases, the inflammation is so severe that people develop allergies to soy and often other foods. In addition, the phytoestrogenic effect of soy can disturb your hormone balance.

The only forms of soy that I recommend are non-GMO soy crops, and unprocessed and/or fermented soy. I recommend miso soup and edemame, in moderation. I don’t recommend soy nuts, but I do suggest almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, pine nuts, walnuts, and macadamia nuts for healthy snacks. If you’re looking for a dairy replacement, I recommend almond or coconut milk. Rice milk is also okay for your health, but it tastes like water.

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