- Terrific Tofu
- by Cheryl Tallman
and Joan Ahlers
Tofu is the Japanese name for
soybean curd. Dating back to its use in China around 200 B.C,
tofu is believed to be the first processed food. Today, it is
a dietary staple throughout all of Asia.
Tofu is a relative newcomer to
the USA. Established in 1906, Quong Hop in San Francisco claims
to be the first tofu shop in America. Today, it's found in nearly
all heath food stores and is fast becoming a common item is most
grocery stores too.
So why is tofu so popular? Along
with being a very versatile food to cook with, tofu is an incredibly
healthy food. It is a great source of high-quality protein. It
is also a good source of B-vitamins and iron. In most cases,
the curdling agent used to make tofu is calcium salt, which makes
tofu an excellent source of calcium.
In addition, some scientists
have found that people who consume diets high in soy have significantly
lower rates of heart disease, osteoporosis, cancer (breast, colon
and prostrate) and fewer menopausal symptoms. It's believed these
disease protecting qualities come from the "isoflavones"
found in the soybean plant.
Along with all the good press,
soy does get some negative press. With so many reports written
about soy's health benefits, some people believe more of a good
thing would be better. This is not necessarily so. There is some
research that indicates that "mega- doses" of isoflavones
may not be healthy, but most of this research is concerned with
supplement pills containing large amounts of isoflavones, not
the natural levels of isoflavones found in soybeans (and thus
tofu) which are rather low. We believe the best way to get nutrients
is the natural way - in foods like tofu, not with pills.
If you thought tofu was simply
a vegetarian substitute for meat, we'd encourage you to embrace
a broader opinion of this food. Tofu is much more than just a
good source of protein.
Age to introduce: 8-10 months
in babies - the silken type, mashed or the soft type cubed as
a finger food (look out - it is slippery!). To reduce the slipperiness
of tofu cubes, toss them with crushed graham crackers or Cheerios.
Allergy note: Soy allergies are
common. Introduce tofu as the only new food in your baby's diet
for 3-5 days. If you notice an allergic reaction, remove it and
talk to your health care provider.
At the market: You'll find tofu
in the refrigerated produce section of the market, although some
stores sell it in the dairy or deli sections. Tofu is perishable,
so check the expiration date on the package.
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