August, 2002

In our past articles we've touted the health properties of soy, but we've also issued cautionary warnings when it comes to this Chinese miracle substance.

In particular, we include this cautionary note: "WARNING: If you are
breastfeeding, some babies may be allergic to soy, so it may be wise to
abstain until you wean your baby."

According to new research, for those growing vegetarians in your family, soy may be linked to childhood leukemia.

"Go Ahead, Sweetie, Have the Ho-Hos"

Yes, that's right. As a parent, you may have to refuse when soy becomes the
latest fad in the lunchroom. Don't worry, your children won't have difficulty adjusting to eating potato chips---they may even be content with carrot sticks once they hear soy can make them sick if they eat it before age 18.

The soy phytoestrogens act as both estrogen and anti-estrogen, and children's bodies are not equipped to handle the changes in hormones. Women should also eat soy in moderation, as excessive soy has been linked to breast cancer, particularly in adolescent girls. (As if buying that first bra wasn't difficult enough...)

In Western children, who are not used to soy, phytoestrogens counteract the positive value of vitamin B6 in soy that develops bones and muscles. In addition to its place among the five allergens most commonly afflicting children, high tofu and soy consumption can cause childhood leukemia, and, according to a 1999 Pacific Research Health Institute study, may even be linked with cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's. Parents who eagerly run out and buy the entire shelf of soy products to keep away childhood obesity should take the advice they give to their children: "Look before you leap." If all, or even half, of the calories in a child's diet, come from soy, readjust those meal plans immediately and give your child the occasional soy milk, sliced tofu in black bean sauce, or handful of soy nuts--or the yummy
Soysicles in our Recipes section:

That said, soy formula feeds 20-25% infants who cannot nurse and are lactose intolerant, with no apparent ill effects. However, you should monitor your baby's soy intake, and keep a watch on your child's diet. You wouldn't feed your child Hershey's Kisses or French Fries without moderation, so give soy the same respect as a powerful nutritional agent.