That’s a hard question.  Soy is one of the greatest sources of phytoestrogens – which contain their own set of pluses and minuses.

The issue comes from the fact that soy grown is the USA is genetically modified – not just a little, but a lot.  In 1997, only 8 percent of soy was genetically modified, but as of 2010, 93 percent of soy grown in the US is genetically modified – and when you are trying to eat clean, it’s important to avoid GMO foods.

Have you ever heard of ‘fermented soy’?  It’s a great probiotic food, but unfermented soy has a ton of things that you should be avoiding.

If you are drinking soy milk, using soy protein, soy sauce, etc. – maybe you should do some more research before you buy that next bottle of soy sauce or carton of soy milk.

Soy lecithin is a fermented soy product, and it has several health benefits – you might want to research it and consider adding it to your diet.

So, we understand that every human being with a somewhat normal endocrine system produces estrogen – men and women alike.  Just like women produce testosterone, men produce estrogen. It’s vital that the hormones be balanced in our bodies.

Estrogens that are produced outside of our bodies are what we have to worry about.  Phytoestrogens come from plants (like soy, but soy isn’t the only source), and xenoestrogens are in plastics like medicine bottles, and are some of the worst for balancing the hormones in your body.

However, both phytoestrogens and xenoestrogens are endocrine disruptors – non-human hormones that mess with our hormones. Phytoestrogens are significantly weaker estrogens than xenoestrogens or the estrogens that the human body produces – but still, they are generally considered undesirable for men.  In other words, if you’re a male, you might want to consider limiting or eliminating consumption of soy, whether it’s in the form of soy sauce or edamame.

Our kids aren’t immune to it, either.  There’s some thought that endocrine disruptors create such an imbalance in hormones that may be responsible for early puberty and fertility issues such as low sperm count, endometriosis, and reproductive system cancers.

The best way to prevent these negative impacts is to make sure your family’s diet consists of organic, non-GMO foods, and a lifestyle that avoids harsh chemicals and artificial scents as much as possible.

My husband Kelly and I enjoy edamame, but we have decided that the risks are not worth indulging in such a treat. It’s not good for him, and because the soy grown in or for the USA is heavily GMO, definitely not good for me either.

We enjoy sushi, and our favorite sushi place does a great job of modifying our sushi to avoid rice when possible.  But you have to have soy sauce and wasabi with sushi, right? 

I have the solution!  It’s called Coconut Aminos. They are sugar-free too, so you can enjoy these on a Paleo, Whole 30 or Keto diet!   You can get them here:  Coconut Aminos  If you’re interested in soy-free, wheat-free and sugar-free Teriyaki sauce, Garlic Sauce, and Coconut Aminos, try this one: Three Sauces

So, for your best wellness, skip the soy whenever you can – but you don’t have to skip the flavor!  I’ve been using the Coconut Aminos for a few years now, and my family doesn’t even know the difference!