Tofu, Wara, Soy cheese...!

Tofu is and always been a favourite of mine growing up in Ijebu-ode, Nigeria and when i grew up and could make mine still remains the best of my meals, while researching i discover a whole lots of benefits you can get from eating this beautiful snack. As you read, endeavour to make it and add to your household meal, so many ways you can eat it, plain, fried, or add to your stews for rice,yam,plaintain...name it.

Diehard meat-eaters are considering tofu products as a way to improve their diets and provide a variety of health benefits.High in protein, vitamins and minerals while low in calories, sodium and fat, tofu packs a one-stop nutritional punch not found in many other foods.

Tofu, made from the curds of soybean milk, is primarily available in three textures: firm, extra firm and silken.Silken tofu has a custard-like consistency and is usually substituted into dressings, protein shakes and desserts.Firm and extra firm varieties are usually cut up into chunks that stand up well to marinating and can be sautéed, grilled or baked.Tofu itself is rather bland, but strongly absorbs the flavors used to prepare it.
Tofu's primary health benefits stem from its soybean base.Soybeans are very rich in protein, minerals and plant components called isoflavones, which act as a form of estrogen hormones in the body.This combination of nutrients, coupled with tofu's low sodium and fat content, delivers some significant health benefits for those who consume tofu regularly.

• Heart Health; Proponents of tofu for heart health point to the low incidence of heart disease in populations that consume tofu regularly, such as in Asia.The soy protein and isoflavones in tofu are considered a powerful cholesterol fighters - studies show that regular tofu consumption can lead to up to a 30% drop in overall cholesterol.Tofu is believed to lower LDL, or bad, cholesterol and triglyceride levels, strong indicators of heart disease.
•  Menopause Hormone Balance; The isoflavones in tofu act as a form of estrogen in the body, and have been shown to be beneficial to women in both peri-menopause and menopause.In peri-menopause, some believe that the plant estrogen in tofu can help the body regulate the dramatic fluctuations of the hormone during this time.When estrogen levels are low in menopause, isoflavones can help maintain hormone levels and fend off estrogen loss.The body's supply of estrogen affects many potential health conditions, including osteoporosis, breast cancer and gynecological cancers, so regulating this hormone is of vital importance to women.
• Prostate Health; The same isoflavones that protect women in menopause can be beneficial in fending off prostate cancer in men.Studies have shown that isoflavones can help slow prostate cancer growth and protect against enlargement of the prostate gland.
• Strong Muscles and Energy; One 4 ounce serving of tofu packs 18% of an adult's daily requirement for protein, and protein is crucial in building muscle.That same 4 ounce serving also contains one-third of the daily requirement of iron, as well as strong doses of antioxidants manganese, copper and selenium.These nutrients contribute to maintaining energy levels. Anti-oxidents are also believed to help prevent against a myriad of cancers by protecting DNA.
• Bone Health; Tofu is a good source of dietary calcium, protecting against bone weakness, loss, osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.A single serving delivers 10% of the daily value for calcium, yet has less calories than many dairy products.
• Weight Loss; because tofu packs so many nutrients into a serving of between 70-100 calories, it can be a great part of a weight loss regimen or a way to maintain a healthy weight.It delivers the protein benefits of meat while still being low in saturated fat and sodium.
• With all these health benefits, adding tofu to your diet, in moderation, can improve your overall well-being and help protect against serious health problems.