Soya in Pregnancy

[ididnamechangeforthis]

Just a thought, I'm making a miso ramen tonight and having edamame (soy beans) to start with.

I eat soy probably a couple of times a week - is that okay during pregnancy?

I have read some articles online about it not being great?

It's better to stick to fermented soy as far as I know.
I'm sure someone will come along to explain why!

fermented soy so i.e Miso Paste?

Not the beans then? (my favourite)

I've eaten soya beans throughout my pregnancy - it doesn't mention not eating them in any of my pregnancy books. Have I missed something?

Riven I thought the same thing.

There are some studies which were carried out on rats and mice - look it up on t'internet to see.

However, in Asian countries it is a staple food.

Just wondered if anyone else read this though?

I'm beginning to think the same.

I can't worry about everything! I eat healthy, don't smoke, and don't eat the major do nots that the midwife gave me a list of.

What more can I do?!??!?!?!

It can't be totally bad because I've been recommended soya and linseed bread as a replacement for normal bread (I've got gestational diabetes).

I just looked on the food standards website and it says this:

"Phytoestrogens are compounds found naturally in some plants, including soya. They may mimic or block the action of the human hormone, oestrogen, but they have a much weaker effect in the body than oestrogen.

Pregnant women don't need to avoid soya products if they're eaten as part of a healthy balanced diet. Some people have raised concerns that pregnant women who eat soya might affect the future fertility of their babies.

However, these concerns are based on studies in rats and mice, and it's difficult to assess what the results mean for humans. In these studies the animals had been given much higher levels of phytoestrogens than in a normal human diet containing some soya products. There haven't been any reports of problems in countries such as Japan and China, where the traditional diet includes soya."

I think GM modified soy has suggested links to complications in childbirth in Indonesia. It was one of the first countries that allowed it. Just check your labels to make sure it isn't GM.

Soya is definitely okay in pregnancy. I have never seen GM soya products in the UK, however, I agree with the previous post - check the labels to be safe.

Aaargh!!!! Another bloody thing to worry about, I've been eating loads of M&S's Super Green Soup that has soya beans in.

I'm starting to agree with ididnamechangeforthis, I have given up smoking completely, don't touch alcohol at all, eat my veggies and exercise and yet I feel so guilty most of the time.

I think I'm going to go and live in a cave for the next 4 1/2 months......

Sorry, not been feeling so well recently and not allowed to take anything for it so very grumpy!

I know it's just from the Daily Mail, but this link does give a pointer as to the arguments for and against soya.

www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1173510/Why-soya-super-food-all.html

Just made a stir fry with loads of tofu and it was yum...millions of Asians can't be wrong and I love edamame too.

I thought soya was just a possible problem when trying to get pg (in the study I heard about they gave mice & rats huge quantities of some kind of concentrated soya protein, not a normal amount of tofu!)

Soya is high in protein & iron - I'm going to continue enjoying it a couple of times a week :-)

Fermented soy (like miso) is chemically less altered than soy milk, for example, and much more easy to digest. In Asia they tend only to eat fermented soy products. I've not read anywhere to avoid it (in fact, when I was suffering from hideous morning sickness, tofu stirfry was one of the few things I could tolerate!), like anything, eat in moderation and don't worry!

p.s. its also an excellent source of calcium!