I Am an Asian Female

Men’s Health. Words cannot describe how I feel about this magazine. I’ll admit, sometimes they get their facts straight when it comes to nutrition. I’m not an avid reader, but I have seen them quote seemingly reliable studies done by Harvard, Loma Linda University, and other respectable research facilities. However, I’ve also read several pieces that I consider to be less than accurate.

I enjoy reading Men’s Health from time to time. I like to read the relationship columns. It’s fun to read what kind of relationship advice men get. Men’s Health is obviously a really appealing magazine for men. It has interesting information on health, exercise, and how to woo the ladies. I suppose the reason Men’s Health bothers me so much is because its’ readers act as if it’s some kind of modern day Bible.

Several males have made statements to me about soy and its’ “feminizing” effects. Where do they get these ridiculous ideas? I think to myself. So I typed in Google, “Men’s Health and soy.” Surprise, surprise. The first hit to come up is an article titled, “Is This the Most Dangerous Food for Men.”

So this article in Men’s Health discussed, what seems to be, every possible study that implies how soy can be damaging to your health. The article mainly focused on a man who drank, on average, 3 quarts (12 cups) of soy milk every day. This man did experience an increase in breast size and elevated estrogen levels. Once he stopped drinking the soy milk, his estrogen levels went back to normal, but his breast size did not. Now, whenever he has even trace amount of soy, his body has a negative reaction.

OMG. This is what’s wrong with society. Men read this and think, if I eat tofu, I will grow moobs (man boobs), my testicles will shrink, I won’t have sex drive, and I will turn into a woman. This is essentially a man’s greatest fear, and it’s only logical, right? Not right. Let’s put our thinking caps on people.

This man was eating, on average, 12 servings of soy a day. ANYONE who eats 12 servings a day of ANYTHING EVERYDAY will have some adverse reaction.

Several studies have shown that soy does not affect sperm count and it is does not lower testosterone levels. Nine published studies have reported that up to 6 cups of soy products a day will not increase men's estrogen levels. Six cups of soy products is a bunch of soy – more than I would EVER recommend for anyone.

Soy is a great source of protein. Like all food, it should be eaten in its least processed form, in correct serving sizes. Edemame, tofu, and soy milk are probably more beneficial soy products, while soy protein supplements, veggie meat, and other highly processed soy goods, are probably not as conducive. Soy has shown to have positive effects on bone health, breast cancer prevention, prostate cancer prevention, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and pregnancy (don’t worry, this one only pertains to women). Soy is good for you.

So don’t be afraid of soy. It won’t make you less manly, it won’t affect your testosterone levels, and it won’t give you breasts. The Asian population eats more soy than any other nation. I’m pretty sure they don’t have a problem reproducing and when is the last time you saw a large breasted Asian - male or female? I rest my case.

Carolyn: 1; Men's Health: 0 - until we meet again.

Level 5 Vegan

“Are you vegan?”

I hate being asked this question. It always has some inference attached to it; Well, you should be vegan, you’re a dietitian. Or, Pssh. Vegans have NO idea what they're missing out on.

I was once asked about my veganism, and I paused, as I always do when I’m asked this question. How do I explain that I’m not vegan, but that I avoid most animal products? My friend quickly jumped in and said, “Carolyn isn’t anything. She basically eats whatever she wants when she feels like it.” I started laughing. It was perfect. This describes me perfectly.

There are so many labels for people and their food choices.

Vegans: No animal products with animal rights beliefs

Total Vegetarians: No animal products, with no extreme ideals towards animal rights; may eat honey

Raw Vegans: No animal products, eat plants, plants can only be cooked to a certain temperature. Not recommended if you want to live.

Vegetarians: Usually means lacto-ovo-vegetarian

Lacto-ovo-vegetarians: Eats animal byproducts: dairy, eggs, honey

Lacto-vegetarians: Does not eat eggs

Ovo-vegetarians: Does not eat dairy

Pescatarian: Eats mostly plants, but eats fish and any seafood

Flexitarian: Almost vegetarian, but eats meat on occasion.

If you fall under one of these categories, that’s great. I don’t. I follow a plant based diet. I eat fruit, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, and beans every day. Some days I eat yogurt, some days I eat eggs, some days I eat fish, some days I eat ice cream, and on the rarest of occasions I’ll eat some chicken. I follow my own dietary guidelines because I know what’s best for me. Yes, I’ll almost always choose the healthier option, but the healthiest choice is not always vegetarian—or vegan.

I will mention that I think that a vegan diet can provide optimal health if planned properly. I will also mention that I think the majority—but not all—vegans are uptight and unreasonable. Following rules, created by mankind, with no leniency, isn’t the lifestyle for me. Today, I was a “total vegetarian.” I had no animal byproducts. Tomorrow, who knows.

This video pretty much sums it up...