How to Use Soy Protein to Lose Weight

Soy protein is a plant derived protein that is lower in fat than most animal based proteins, but very high in nutrients. Many vegans and vegetarians live exclusively on soy protein to get the amount of protein their body's need.Replacing animal based proteins with soy "plant based" proteins can save you grams of fat and calories each day. In every meat based recipe you can cook, you can almost always replace with soy or tofu.Soy shakes can provide the protein you need to get your day started. Tofu--grilled, baked or sauteed will take on the flavor with what ever you cook it with. Most dietitians recommend that you start small when it comes to changing your diet. This ensures you stick with the new eating regimen. If you start replacing one meal at a time with soy protein, you will be saving calories and fat and will get closer to your weight goals than ever.

Things You'll Need

• Firm soy protein (tofu)
• Soft soy protein
• Soy protein shakes
• Low fat Italian dressing
• Barbecue sauce

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Instructions

How to Use Soy Protein to Lose Weight

• 1

  Start with healthy breakfast featuring soy protein. Start your day with a filling soy shake. Most breakfast soy shakes can be blended with fruit. The addition of fruit increases the amount of fiber and nutrients you will get in a day. The protein of the soy will provide a long lasting energy you will need to get you through to the next meal. While some people find eating a carbohydrate based breakfast can increase their blood sugar and make them hungry in only an hour or two, the protein in the soy shake will stave off hunger for much longer.

• 2

  Get a low fat, low calorie protein source at breakfast by scrambling soft tofu. Saute diced onions, jalapenos and peppers in a skillet and add soft tofu to the mix. Add a pinch of cumin and chili powder and the results are a delicious Tex-Mex tofu scramble.

• 3

  Prepare your tofu the night before for a delicious lunch the next day. Marinate chunks of firm tofu in low fat or fat free Italian dressing overnight. Saute the tofu in a skillet sprayed with non-stick spray until the tofu is browned. Remove the warm tofu and place on top of cold romaine lettuce garnished with chopped tomato, sliced cucumber, roasted red peppers, whole wheat croûtons and low fat Italian dressing. This salad is filling, fresh and healthy.

• 4

  Make a dinner packed with soy protein power with just a little preparation. Preheat your outdoor grill to medium high. Cut firm tofu into squares and marinate in barbecue sauce for about five minutes. Place on indirect heat and grill about two minutes per side or until grill marks are formed. Sliced zucchini, onions and squash can be grilled at the same time. Serve the barbecue grilled tofu and veggies with some steamed brown rice and you have a low fat, healthy dinner.