(ARA) – Registered dietitians and other health care professionals recognize soy for its nutritional benefits. Soy offers an excellent source of cholesterol-free, low-fat protein and is gaining more acceptance in kitchens across America.

It’s no secret that soy is good for you. In fact, more than half of adult Americans agree that soy is a healthier protein than meat, according to a recent Harris Interactive survey on behalf of SOYJOY nutrition bars. Yet nearly as many are unsure how to get more soy into their daily diets.

“With numerous studies backing the heart and bone health benefits of soy, Americans know that soy is a healthy protein that can be better for you than other sources high in saturated fat and cholesterol,” says Allegra Burton, a  national health educator, MPH, RD and registered dietitian for SOYJOY nutrition bars. “But cooking with soy and finding ways to eat it on-the-go can seem daunting to many. With the variety of soy products available today, there are easy and delicious ways to incorporate soy into meals and snacks.”

Burton offers the following tips on how to enjoy the health benefits of soy throughout the day.

Snacks

To keep metabolism high, opt for a balance of complex carbohydrates and heart-healthy proteins. Crunchy soy nuts, soy yogurt with fruit or soy cheese with an apple or whole grain crackers make smart snack choices. When you’re on-the-go, avoid the mid-afternoon slump with SOYJOY, an all-natural soy nutrition bar made with whole soy and fruit.

Breakfast

Breakfast is a critical time for our bodies to refuel. Start the day off right with a high-energy smoothie blended with frozen berries and soy yogurt. Soy milk, available in plain, chocolate and vanilla flavors, enhances any cereal or oatmeal, and soynut butter is delicious on whole grain toast. Also, check the grocery aisles for a variety of other soy products, including breakfast patties and soy bacon.

Lunch

Heavy, high-fat meals can wreak havoc on our afternoon attention spans. Recharging with a balanced lunch is an important way to fuel your brain and body to perform well throughout the afternoon.

A few favorite lunch ideas include soy deli slices on whole grain bread with a salad, or a grilled vegetable sandwich with melted soy cheese.  Veggie burgers with all the fixings and soy nuggets with a low-fat honey-mustard dip are two other quick and tasty lunch ideas.

Dinner

Many of today’s soy products require minimal cooking, making them ideal candidates for any last-minute dinner dilemmas. Use soy crumbles, tofu, soy cheese and other soy products in place of meat in favorite recipes including lasagna, tacos, chili, stir-fry and pasta sauce.

Or fire up the grill with veggie burgers or soy hot dogs. Serve them on whole wheat buns and add grilled vegetables for a complete and satisfying dinner.

Whether you have time to cook or need to grab something and go, soy is a healthy protein source that can help lower the cholesterol and fat content of your favorite meals and snacks.

To learn more about soy, visit www.soyjoy.com.

Courtesy of ARAcontent

Tags | Food, Recipes, Soy