108. Soy & PCOS - What You Need To Know!

Let's clear up all the confusion and misconceptions about soy and PCOS!

You likely know that this is a very controversial topic that is often sparking some heated discussion in the nutrition world.

What is soy?

Soy is a legume that can come in minimally forms such tofu, tempeh and edamame, which are safe and even beneficial for PCOS in most cases. Of course, if someone is allergic or has a reaction to soy, they should avoid soy foods. The issue is that soy is also used in more heavily processed foods such as meat substitutes, bars, protein shakes, snacks and other products and the safety and benefit of those foods is unknown.

When looking at populations of people around the world who consume minimally processed soy products, observational studies have shown that soy is actually beneficial and protective against cancer and other health conditions such as inflammation, insulin resistance, fertility, and heart disease- all very relevant for PCOS.

The main benefits of soy come from its component including isoflavones which is a type of plant derived estrogen (AKA phytoestrogen) that cause a weak estrogenic or anti-estrogenic effects. This is beneficial since it can help our body excrete extra estrogen and maintain hormonal balance. I discuss this and other points related to soy and PCOS in this episode. 

In this episode you'll learn:

1. Whether or not soy is safe for PCOS - evidence based info only!
2. What soy foods are beneficial for hormonal and general health
3. What studies show when it comes to consumption of minimally processed soy
4. What you should know about soy and thyroid medication
5. How to add soy into your day and cook tofu if you're a beginner

Need PCOS friendly meal ideas? Check out my PCOS Meal Prep Bundle.

Inside you'll find:

• 4 PCOS friendly meal plans to address insulin resistance, inflammation, high androgens and even anxiety.
• Done-for-you grocery lists you can use over and over again
• My PCOS Pantry mini training to get you set up with healthy staples in kitchen 
• Dietitian-approved meal prep hacks & shortcuts? I got you covered! You will get my favorite brands in US stores so you can save even more time while shopping.

I'd love to hear your thoughts or answer your questions about this topic. Head on over to my instagram account and send me a DM!