Many people find that they miss meat when they start a meatless diet. While it can be challenge until you get the hang of it, you can use meat substitutes to help you stay on track and still enjoy the foods you love the most. There are many varieties of textured soy that you can buy, so you’re sure to find a delicious alternative for creating the perfect meatless meal.
During the process of removing soy oil from soybeans, low-fat, high-fiber soy flour is what remains as a by product. Because soy oil producers wanted to find a way to use the entire soybean, they developed a process for transforming this soy flour into a new high-protein food with all the nutritional value of the soybean (less most of the fat) that could be shaped into alternatives to meat.
The unflavored variety lends well to adopting the flavors of the dish it is being cooked in, since there is no other ingredient but the soy flour. You can also purchase textured soy products that are flavored similarly to beef and chicken, as well as those that imitate more complex flavors. Even though they are meat flavored, the ingredients are all animal product-free, giving you the taste you are looking for while allowing you to maintain a meat-free diet.
The first textured soy proteins on the market were granules. They’re about the size and shape of granola and are used to create foods that are bound together, like meatless loaf and burgers. Anything that ground beef can be used for would be a good candidate for this size of textured soy.
Larger sizes of textured soy that are similar to stew meat or a chicken breast can also be found. These are often used in main dishes that require larger pieces. Textured soy strips, used for stir frys or fajitas, can also be used to provide a great variety of meatless choices.
You can find flavored textured soy products that will emulate many of your favorite foods, from bacon to hot wings. The variety is endless. There are also textured soy concentrates, similar to regular textured soy, which are lower in natural sugars and therefore more easily digested. Recently, organic textured soy appeared on the market, and although this is slightly higher in fat than other textured soy, it’s a perfect alternative for anyone looking for something made from organic beans.
Typically, textured soy products have an extended shelf life. The flavored kinds can last up to a year and a half; those without flavoring can last for many years, although you should always follow the use-by date on the package.
Because texture soy proteins are low in fat and high in fiber, they’re a good choice for people who want to lose weight. Textured soy can also be effective in battling diabetes, as the high fiber content helps control blood sugar levels.
Cynthia Holzapfel is owner of Healthy-Eating.com, the country’s leading source for tvp, textured soy and other meat alternatives for more than 25 years. As a vegan for almost 40 years, Cynthia and her partners are experts on how to make the transition to meatless eating. Get their recommendations for how to use the dozens of textured soy protein products available for delivery to your door.