Ask Esther: Tofu/Cancer Link?

Mum, what's the link between the soy in tofu and breast cancer?
E: "You should look on the Web under 'soy beans.' It's very interesting."

OK, can you give me anything more?
E: "Most soy beans are...what do you call that? ...chemically...what's the word? I don't remember. Don't ask Esther on that one."

(enter Larry in the background) "GENETICALLY MODIFIED!" (Larry talks in all caps, all the time)

E: "Oh yeah, genetically modified."

L: "BECAUSE SOY INCREASES ESTROGEN RECEPTORS!"

E: "Yeah, too much estrogen leads to breast cancer."

L: "JUST DON'T OVERDO IT!"

Why is tempeh better than tofu?
E:"Tempeh is better because it's fermented soy and it digests better." (It's also less processed.)
.
L: "SEITAN IS ALSO VERY GOOD!" (no, it isn't). "IT'S A WHEAT ALTERNATIVE! IT'S A VERY GOOD ALTERNATIVE FOR ANYONE WHO IS VEGETARIAN IF THEY'RE NOT ALLERGIC TO WHEAT! IT TASTES LIKE STEAK!" (no, it doesn't.)

What about Edamame (soybeans)?
E: "Yeah, they're ok." (Caution: this is an uneducated guess)

L: "TOFU IS OK AS LONG AS YOU DON'T EAT IT ON A REGULAR BASIS! EAT TOFU IN MODERATION!"

I think the lesson here is to limit all soy, including soy milk, soy beans and tofu. It doesn't mean never eat it, just keep it on light rotation. I got a yummy, pre-seasoned tofu from TJ's the other day, and put it in a stir fry with broccoli, carrots and cauliflower--all over brown rice. Easy and satisfying.