Why We Love Our Soy Patties

Soy Patties - Mixture of Black and Yellow Whole Soy Beans

Nutrients and Bioactive Compounds (Phytonutrients) in Our Soy Patties

As you prepare for your upcoming bulk cooking session and Week 3 meal ideas, we’d like to take a minute to quickly tell you way we are so excited about the soy patties for breakfast.  Everything that we have in the meal plans, from the Greek Cilantro Topping and Pico to the Soy Patties,  contain a wide variety of ingredients each with their own unique nutrient profile.  And we combine these ingredients in our meal plans to ensure that you get as much benefit as possible out of all of them.  For example:

Garlic- contains Allium (a sulfur compound)- Implications to health:

• Antimicrobial, potential reduced cancer risk,  antioxidant capabilities, increases immune function, anti-inflammatory, and heart protective
• Reminder:  It’s ideal to allow to sit for 10-15 minutes before using to allow chemical reactions to occur which increase allium content: also best to minimize cooking time whenever possible

Ginger root-

• Very soothing to digestive system (alleviates intestinal gas and irritation, as well as, nausea and vomiting)
• Anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties
• Reminder: the active enzymes in ginger are also susceptible to heat and minimal cooking should be used when possible

Whole Soybeans- contain Isoflavones, Protein, Essential Fatty Acids, Fiber, Vitamins and Minerals- Implications to health:

• Cardio protective: Isoflavones may lower LDL cholesterol while magnesium acts as muscle relaxant, Omega 3 Fatty Acids are anti-inflammatory
• Potentially bone protective in menopausal women
• Good source of Fiber: 1 cup = 11 grams
• Source of tryptophan (precursor to serotonin), iron, magnesium, and potassium
• Important to remember: this is whole, unrefined soy products (like soybeans, edamame, tofu, tempeh, miso) NOT isolated soy protein isolates used in refined soy products and meat substitutes
• Moderate use of unrefined soy can be a very healthy addition to any diet

Quinoa-  Gluten-free grain with amazing protein and nutrient profile

• Complete protein- unique in non-animal protein sources- contains all nine essential amino acids
• Good source of magnesium (smooth muscle relaxant- helps lower blood pressure), iron and tryptophan (more serotonin precursor)
• Antioxidant properties

Fresh Lemon juice-

• Source of Vitamin C (along with fresh fruit served with patty) which assists in the utilization of iron found in the soy and quinoa
• Fresh squeezed is definitely worth the few minutes of extra time for both nutrition and taste

Tahini (or Sesame Paste)- Sesame seeds (which are ground to make tahini) are rich source of many nutrients

• Bioactive compounds known as lignans which have cholesterol and blood pressure lowering ability, as well as, protecting the liver from oxidative damage
• Copper and manganese (important in antioxidant activities)
• Magnesium (another great natural source of magnesium)
• Calcium: 1 Tbsp = 68 mg
• Zinc and Fiber
• Reminder: As with all oils and nut butters, it is best to store them in the refrigerator or in a dark cool place to avoid oxidation of the fragile oils

Cilantro- 

• Anti-bacterial and  Anti-oxidant
• Just 2 tsp provides over 8% of daily fiber and 3% calcium

Not a bad way to start your day!  We hope you enjoy these patties as much as we do.  Have fun with your Week 3 bulk cooking session and as always- please let us know if you have any additional questions we can answer for you.

~Teri