Tofu Nutrition

The word tofu, takes root from the Japanese word tōfu, further taking its name from the Chinese dialect from the word dòufu, meaning curdled, from beans or fermented. It's a common dietary food that has been used in Asian cooking for centuries, as well as in Korean, Vietnamese, Indonesian and other preparations. It is also known as soybean yogurt, and has the same texture like that of cheese, and is made from hot soy milk, added to a coagulant, as well as an agent that further lets it curdle called, nigari. This agent is found in ocean water. These are then pressed into blocks, to give it its solid brick like appearance, before it is ready to be cut up, and packaged for mass production.

Tofu in itself, has a very bland taste to it, but when coupled with ingredients like sesame oil, fish oil and other Asian condiments, it brings on a unique chewy bean like taste, that goes well with Asian style cooking. The Chinese are known for their tofu dishes, being delicious wholesome meals, of everything that is healthy and nutritious. Tofu is first gently stir fried until slightly golden brown, and is then added last for a couple of minutes, where it then left to simmer and saturate the flavors of the sauce, before it is finally laden on a plate, and ready to serve with either plain white rice, or a portion of noodles. The tofu nutrition information along with why this is healthy to eat, will be revealed shortly, along with what to look out for primarily before consuming this controversial diet food.

Tofu Nutrition Facts

The following tofu nutrition facts that are represented in the following layout, will help you understand and evaluate the many nutrients that it contains, especially in caloric value. Being extremely low in fat content, and high in iron/magnesium, this food is considered one of the healthiest food alternatives when going the vegan way..

Nutrient Content	Tofu (Portion= 100 g, Calories= 70)
Sodium	12 mg
Sugars	1 g
Carbohydrate	2 g
Calcium	210 mg
Fat	4 g
Protein	8 g
Iron	9%
Saturated Fat	1 g
Cholesterol	0 mg
Fiber	1 g

Tofu - Cause for Concern or Super Health Food?

The west is slowly catching on to the tofu craze, where westerners are now turning to this silken product for their everyday health concerns. But is tofu all that it is hyped up to be? Is it really safe for everyone to consume? We find out the answers to those questions by looking at both tofu nutritional benefits, and risks.

Tofu Benefits

• Good source of energy, since iron as a vital element, helps in the production of oxygen, and its subsequent transportation to the rest of the body.
• Helps reduce the bad effects of post-menopausal osteoporosis and hot flashes.
• Reduces the presence of free radicals in the body due to a build up of its antioxidant system. It cancels out the chances of colon cancer, by protecting it against toxins that cause it.
• Has good deposits of omega 3 fatty acids, and helps reduce clotting within the arteries, and maintains one's heart rate.
• Regulates cholesterol levels, and keeps them stable.
• Good in the prevention of heart disease.
• Helps alleviate pain associated with rheumatoid arthritis.
• Reduces asthma like symptoms.
• Good for those suffering from atherosclerosis.
• Good for those who are conscious of their weight, since it is low in calories, and keeps one satiated for long periods of time.
• Diabetics experiencing kidney problems, will greatly make use of the benefits of tofu, as part of their diet.

Tofu Risks

• A lot of people suffer from allergies brought on by consuming soy.
• It can lead to breathing problems.
• Cause diarrhea in some people.
• Can lead to thyroid dysfunction.
• Those suffering from cognitive impairment are highly at risk in developing Alzheimer's disease in their later life as a result of soy consumption.
• Can lead to an outbreak of hives.

Tofu nutrition goes a long way in preventing many health problems from taking root, and discarding day-to-day troubles from recurring. So now that you are up-to-date with what tofu is and what it is made of, you'll be able to try out this vegetarian food, ultimately substituting other foods for this. It is important to take note of how your body reacts to tofu as a dietary add-on in your everyday meals, and to keep in check how you progress, health wise when on tofu. Eat right, eat healthy.