Diet Question (soy sauce)
This question is born from pure ignorance, so be kind... Lol.
Planning on going to a Japanese hibachi restaurant (Arrirang)... is it a bad idea?
Concerned about soy. They seem to make everything with soy sauce.
Is it just something my wife should be avoiding at all costs?
Any advice would be appreciated.
Comments
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Since Asians have a much lower incidence of breast cancer I would certainly think it fine.
I do find it really over the top that you try to control her to the degree that you would monitor every bite she eats. -
The nutritionist I met with said normal amounts of 'real' soy - tofu, edamame, soy sauce, are fine. She said to avoid soy lechitin (I think that's what it was) which is found in many processed foods like some granola bars.
I have sushi at least once a week and never think twice about the soy sauce.
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Japanese food uses soy as a dipping sauce so it can be avoided if your wife chooses. If her cancer was ER/PR+ it would pay her to be careful with the amount that she injests but what would be eaten at a normal meal is not enough to worry about particularly if the consumption of it is only occasional.
Enjoy your night out! -
@MelissaDallas:
If you must know, I asked my wife if she wanted to go to Arrirang with extended family members. Nobody is trying to control my wife. (why would you just assume someone was?)
SHE expressed concern about the soy sauce.
I said I would ask about it for her.
Thanks for the advice----and the concern for my wife. God bless you. -
I told my onco that I had been eating fresh soy beans, she said if only occasional, not to worry but do not switch to soy milk now~~
I watch my sauce as it is horrible on the salt but still do dip
enjoy the restauant~
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Rose, really, we're not supposed to eat soy lechitin? The nutritionist I spoke to said it was fine, and that it's often used in small amounts (it's usually near the end of the list of ingredients). I heard we are supposed to avoid soy protein powder because it is so concentrated. I've heard what you did--that soy is better in it's natural state, like eating edamame instead of, say, a processed soy veggie burger. I've also heard that soy can be grown with a lotof pesticides so organic is better. Man, too much to remember.
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Colt45
Bless you for looking out for your wife! I love my husband, but he never took the time to read about breast cancer , to research phytoestrogens, and things i should or shouldn't have. In fact, I was exhausted in the beginning doing all sorts of research and would have loved if my husband was well read on the subject to bounce ideas off of him. However, his way of coping was just fine and it worked for him , so I don't want to be critical either.
I didn't see your post as controlling ???
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@luckypenny:
Thanks for the support. I'm sure that the other poster meant to stick up for my wife more than she meant to put me down. I'm confident the comment came out of a caring place.
You couldn't do a nicer thing for me than to stick up for my wife.
I know my wife would like to go to Arrirang----but I think she feels guilty that she's doing something bad when in her heart she wants to be here for our 2 little girls.
I think she'd like to get the 'all clear' and enjoy this outing with no guilt...
But she's scared. And I'm just trying to help her. There's so much to know. There's so much we don't know. She'll feel better if she's making an informed decision.
Thanks and God bless. -
Colt45,
(that was my first beer 45 years ago, well 3 beers! made me puke) I was only 14.
Why don't you bring your own organic soy sauce, or better yet Tamari sauce which is a better source of soy. If it's hibachi the cooking starts when You get there, ask the hibachi chef to use the soy sauce you bring, technically its not allowed by health dept rules but you can ask. Restaurants usually use the cheapest cooking ingredients, and soy sauce can be over processed and not even 'real' soy sauce. I would go for the hibachi and tell your wife to enjoy it. She, and you, deserve it.
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My onc said the studies about soy are all over the place and there's nothing definitive one way or another, so she said don't worry about it. She said don't go out of your way to eat soy, and don't go out of your way to avoid it. FWIW, I was 100% ER+.
She told me that exercising at least 30 minutes a day and maintaining a normal weight are far more important for me to do. Those have been proven over and over again in studies to provide a real reduction in recurrence. There are no such definitive studies about soy at this time.
Your wife can ask her onc what he/she thinks. My guess is that even if soy were bad, I can't imagine that a one time outing would do harm in any event. Everything in moderation.
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This is a doctor's response to a question regarding soy product consumption from a woman taking an AI for ER+ breast cancer:
(This was Dr. Keith Roach's response posted 2-27-13)
"Soy contains isoflavones, which act as weak estrogens in the body. Some studies have shown no adverse effects on breast cancer patients taking in large amounts of soy protein; however, you should continue to follow the advice of your oncologists. It's possible that by taking in enough soy protein, you can get an elevated estrogen blood level. High estrogen blood levels are of concern in women with estrogen receptor positive (ER+) breast cancers, since the estrogen causes the cancers to grow.
Soy phytoestrogens are unique to soy: nuts and coffee do not have them. Similarly, since it's soy protein that is at issue, soy lecithin, a fat emulsifier, is not a problem. Soybean oil and soy sauce contain no protein and are also not a concern."
This is just something I found online. The above may state things that go against what some have been told already. I would urge everyone to do their own research---but a Q/A article like this can at least be a springboard for further discussion. -
Interesting... both my integrative oncologist and the naturopathic oncology expert with whom I occasionally consult said that the latest studies have conclusively shown that moderate amounts of soy (~2 servings a day) have a protective effect. When I asked them both, which was preferable in my morning latte, they each immediately concurred that soy milk was a far better choice than nonorganic milk. Both said beneficial types of soy are edamame, soy milk, organic non-GMO tofu. There is so much conflicting info out there-- so confusing.
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Colt45,
The concern and attention you show is wonderful. I didn't feel you were "controlling" her food intake...so sweet she has you to be so attentive. -
Thanks for the information on soy, my husband and I were wondering the same thing...we love chinese food and use soy sauce on our egg rolls so we were concerned about it because we've heard "mixed" information...I asked my MO what she thought and she said what many of you did - it wasn't an issue in small amounts or cooking chinese food but she didn't want me to start eating tofu and soy burgers:)
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Soy lecithin is fine, soy is fine also as long it is eaten in normal, not excess, amounts. Moderation, moderation....
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not giving up my soy sauce with sushi! sorry not happening -
my cancer ctr nutritionist said its fine -in its natural form, in moderation -. I thought soy lethecin is not ok but its in EVERYTHING so i doubt we could avoid it entirely (its in most chocolate)
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Hi Colt45 ... I just found this thread by chance, so have no additional input except to say I don't think you're out of line at ALL for asking questions relating to your wife's health. I applaud you for it. You're not only taking her out to eat, but making sure the soy was safe. I think she's very lucky to have you!
Years ago we had a motto where I worked relating to remarks or questions in meetings. The motto was something like "Joker's wild!" It meant we had the full acceptance of all our co-workers not to be shut down for any comment or question. I feel that same accordance here and hope you do, too. You're an awesome husband. -
I just asked this question of my Surgeon last week at my follow up appointment. I haven't eaten any Dairy products for 30 years, so soy has been a big part of my diet for a long time.
My Surgeon said that I can still eat it in moderation because he doesn't believe it is a major issue. I have modified my diet slightly, and have oat milk, almond milk and coconut water or milk where I would have always had soy.
I have always used Tamari, rather than high salt Soy sauce, but wouldn't worry at all about having it in a "dinner out" situation.
I wish you a great night out!
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I appreciate all the responses so far.
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Colt....enjoy the Japanese restaurant...
this conversation reminds me of when my 80 yr old grandmother, stopped her weekly Big Mac as it had salt....the Big Mac had been a special treat for her weekly with her only grandson
me, I thought she deserved the weekly Mac!
hmmm, now I love sushi rolls, the spicy spider rolls, and the tuna rolls...and everything!
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I declared soy the enemy. Just felt like I had to do something. Never been overweight. Been vegetarian off & on. During my times of vegetarianism I consumed a fair amount of soy. Been athletic all my life, so I couldn't "start an exercise program". I know it makes no sense. Actually found it "fun" to eliminate this "potential" culprit. Guess it's my way of feeling empowered. I read the ingredients very closely & avoid all types of soy. I occassionally bake(all organic ingredients) & when I need chocolate chips, I found organic chocolate bars at Trader Joe's without soy & not too expensive. So I cut them up. Having said that, I think you & your wife should enjoy this dinner out. Hopefully it's already happened. Again my behavior make little sense to even me.
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The most recent study from Vanderbilt actually shows soy is beneficial:
http://www.vicc.org/news/2009/12/study-links-soy-foods-to-lower-risk-of-breast-cancer-recurrence-and-death/ -
I was told by my onc that occasional soy in any form is fine. Moderation being the key; which goes for everything I think
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That's the thing---everything changes from one day to the next. What is standard protocol one day might not be tomorrow. It is confusing and exhausting.
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Went to Arrirang last night. The wife and I tackled the Filet Mignon for Two. SO good. No guilt. We went with low sodium soy sauce.
Thanks everyone for caring. It was a beautiful night as my parents and sister accompanied my wife, 2 girls and me.
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