Soy is phytoestrogenic which causes problems for some people (tumors/cancers), especially for menopausal women or people with thyroid issues. The estrogenic effect can cause problems for men as well; gynecomastia (enlarged breasts), tumors, and erectile problems. Soy is heavily bombarded with petrochemicals. It's even sprayed with pesticides and chemicals after it's harvested to prevent sprouting in storage. It's difficult to find organic soy products, and, as stated above, some need to avoid it altogether.
Soy also contains phytic acid. Phytic acid binds to minerals (copper, calcium, zinc and magnesium, etc.) blocking absorption of these nutrients. Phytic acid can be removed from soy by long and slow cooking in high heat, a process that is
not employed in the making of tofu. The main ingredient in soy milk is heated during the process of curdling but the length of cooking is too short thus fails to deactivate the phytic acid.
While soy can be part of a healthy diet, it's not a wonder food it shouldn't be relied upon too heavily.
redrobot wrote:now you and aravar are either part of this group or not. i dont know and wont presume ttho your arguments lead a reasonable person to infer that you are.
That might be the thought process of some, but that's not the way I choose to think/believe.
I have neighbors who are extreme, radical, fundamentalist, young-earth creationist 'christians'. They believe the earth is (I've lost track of the exact age they believe the earth to be but..) something in the 5-6,000 years range-they have an exact date, which they believe is of the utmost importance. They believe humans & dinosaurs lived on earth at the same time. They travel around to fairs and markets and anyone who will have them giving their version of 'history'. If that is what they choose to believe, that is their right. Whatever.
HOWEVER, my problem comes from them forcing their beliefs onto others. They are quite righteous and smug in their beliefs. The more radical their behavior & beliefs, the 'holier' they perceive themselves to be. They got involved in local politics, onto school boards, library boards, etc.. and tried to have public funds funneled into their church, and to promote their marginal ideas in the public schools, etc... They succeeded in some areas because many of the organizations couldn't afford to fight them legally when presented with their lawsuits.
What I find interesting about these 'christian' neighbors is that the 'holier' they believe themselves to be, the less 'Christ-like' I found their behavior. They are awful neighbors, they don't get along with anyone in the neighborhood, it's not just me. In part due to their behavior, I stopped being a christian years ago. Their 'holiness' opened my eyes in a way I am sure they did not intend. Even if one agrees with them on an issue, it would never good enough.. they just ramp up the crazy--because they are superior to every one else.
Because of situations like this, and because I tend to prefer moderation to extremism, I do not like to force my beliefs on others. I might discuss my thoughts, present facts, or discuss how I came to believe that way, or share how I live, but I prefer not to use intimidation or attacks, etc... It generally backfires and doesn't improve results or communication or do a particularly good job of convincing people of anything. I greatly value individual freedom of choice.
It's said one can catch more flies with honey (or agave nectar--which by the way, is not a good/healthy food to eat).
I am afraid I have veered off topic..

Whether I agree with Tolkien and the Hobbit diet is not an issue for me. I can choose to live/eat as I please (thankfully). Tolkien wrote the story keeping in mind what HE (and many) thought was an idyllic lifestyle of plenty as is his privilege as the author. If someone chooses not to find that idyllic, that is their prerogative as well.