Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Tired of Meat? Try Tofu

By Kristen Thorpe

There was a time I could never imagine a meal that wasnt based on meat and potatoes. But as I began to eat healthier over the years I would make more dishes that didnt involve meat like pasta or eggplant. A sister once remarked that one day Id serve Tofurkey for Thanksgiving. I laughed it off at the time though now I see that its not that implausible to me anymore.

Over time I have to come to enjoy a healthier diet. And thats not dieting, but a diet that has more fresh fruits and veggies, and more whole grains. And the more I do the less I seem to crave fatty things, especially red meat. It can happen that way for many people where your needs and tastes just gradually change.

Now I cant swear that I will ever be completely vegetarian since I still enjoy a good steak now and again, or a dish of chicken parmigiana over a bed of linguini. And I cant imagine ever becoming vegan since that would mean giving up cheese, one of my favorite foods. But never say never I guess. The bottom line is I find myself eating a mostly vegetarian diet these days.

One of the best substitutes for meat in a dish is tofu. Now I dont believe in eating tofu constantly because that seems to me to add up to a lot of soy in your diet, especially since we already drink soy milk, and sometimes eat soy yogurts. Thats just my personal opinion about eating things in moderation.

I have a vegetarian friend who doesnt enjoy tofu. Shes tried it but its jut not for her. Instead shell load up on bean dishes or protein-rich veggies to make up the protein portion of her diet. She used to eat fish on a rare occasion but I believe shes completely vegetarian now.

Another great tofu item is of course Tofurkey. I recently visited one of my local health food stores and found a great selection of Tofurkey. There were some pretty impressive choices and I decided to try the sliced Tofurkey for a sandwich meat. It was surprisingly delicious, and everyone in the family agreed.

For anyone who is thinking of their health and trying to eat a healthier diet with less saturated fat, I highly recommend you check out tofu. Youd be surprised how good it can taste. You can try a little of the pre-cooked soy sesame tofu tossed in a wok with some noodles and veggies " delicious!

Visit a local grocer or health food supermarket and see if they have Tofurkey. You can pick up a package to make sandwiches " like a Tofurkey sandwich with salad greens, mustard, and tomato grilled on your indoor electric grill or panini sandwich maker. The taste might surprise you " and your body will thank you for the healthy choice.

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