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Questions & Answers
Q: Is uncooked tofu, right out of your box, safe for children, ages one and six, to eat?
Nasoya tofu is cooked and pasterized. In reality, all tofu is cooked. In making tofu, soybeans are ground up and combined with water. The mixture is heated to a very high temperature. The solid portion is tofu. The liquid portion is soy milk.
Because the soybean mixture is heated to a high temperature in the manufacture of tofu, all tofu is essentially cooked. This means that "raw" tofu, straight out of the package, is fine to eat in terms of food safety.
I would not serve bulk-purchased unpasterized, uncooked tofu to children or adults because this type of tofu can sit in the store for an unknown period of time, it could become contaminated with bacteria or mold. As well, you have no way of knowing how often the water in which the bulk tofu sits has been changed.
Prepackaged tofu, however, which comes in sealed packages, should be fine. I would use up the whole package within a day or two, to be on the safe side.
Finally, a quick check of the tofu's appearance and smell is a good idea. Make sure it is not slippery/slimy or discolored. And if it smells strong or "off", do not use it, raw or cooked.
Happy Eating!
Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD
Q: Does Nasoya Nayonaise have side effects? How is good for a person with stomach problems?
Whether or not Nasoya Nayonaise is good for a person with stomach problems depends on the cause of the problems. Nayonaise is vegan. This means it contains no animal products, including eggs, dairy, meat, or animal fats. If a person has stomach problems due to lactose intolerance, for example, then Nayonaise would be a good option. It is lactose-free. Nayonaise would be a good option for a person with stomach problems due to an egg allergy too, because it is egg-free.
If stomach problems are due to high fat foods, Nayonaise may be a good option. One tablespoon serving of Nayonaise contains 3.5 grams of fat. This is 1.5 fewer grams of fat than 1 tablespoon of typical, regular mayonnaise.
Nayonaise contains soy. So if a person has stomach problems due to a soy allergy, Nayonaise would not be a good option.
In summary, many people with stomach problems can enjoy Nayonaise as a replacement for regular mayonnaise. To be absolutely certain that Nayonaise is OK for you, check the ingredient list for Nayonaise.
In Health,
Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD
Q: Why isn't the chocolate pie recipe gluten free? I am new to gluten free eating.
This is a great question. As someone who's new to gluten-free eating, I'm sure you're figuring out the many places gluten can hide. Ingredients used in food manufacturing, such as thickeners, colorings, flavorings, food starch, and hydrolyzed protein all can contain gluten. This is why many processed foods are not safe to eat for someone following a strict, gluten-free diet.
Regarding the chocolate pie recipe, it is the prepared pie crust that can contain gluten. Most corn starch is gluten-free, so this generally is not a problem for someone following a gluten-free diet. But be sure to check the label to be certain that the corn starch you plan to use is gluten-free.
If you would like to make the Nasoya chocolate pie recipe, simply use a certified gluten-free pie crust. Examples of certified gluten-free corn starch brands include Argo and Bob's Red Mill.
Whole Foods has a gluten-free prepared pie crust in their Gluten-Free Bakehouse line. You could try a gluten-free pie crust mix, such as those offered by the Gluten-Free Pantry, Gluten-Free Mama, and Authentic Foods.
You can prepare your own pie crust as well, using gluten-free ingredients. There are many gluten-free pie crust recipes available. You can find one by searching the Web for "gluten free pie crust recipe."
Happy Eating!
Suzanne Dixon, MPH, MS, RD
Q: Why is soy a healthy food?
It’s a terrific source of complete protein. It’s low in fat, cholesterol-free, and provides bone-healthy minerals, like calcium, potassium, and magnesium. And soy is naturally low in calories, so it fits perfectly into your body-conscious, healthy lifestyle.
Q: Are soy foods good for men too?
Men can score big health points with soy as well. Soy is well recognized as an important part of a prostate-friendly diet. Dozens of studies point to soy as protective against prostate cancer. And don’t forget the ticker. Heart health is important to men and women equally. Soy is high in protein, contains no saturated fat or cholesterol, and provides heart healthy nutrients such as calcium, potassium, and isoflavones. Isoflavones are recognized for their heart-health and cholesterol lowering benefits.
