Soy protein could help meet USDA's new MyPyramid Food Guidance System

21/04/05 Soy protein-containing foods and beverages can help Americans meet many of the recommendations included in the new MyPyramid Food Guidance System unveiled by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Designed to help challenge the country's growing obesity epidemic, MyPyramid replaces the former Food Guide Pyramid introduced in 1992 and incorporates recommendations from the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which were released by the USDA and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in January. Among other things, MyPyramid advocates a diet that is low in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol and provides lean sources of protein, along with vegetables and whole grains.

"Soy protein-containing foods and beverages can help Americans design a daily diet that meets these goals," said Greg Paul, Ph.D., director of health and nutrition for The Solae Company. "Soy protein, unlike other sources of protein, is not only low in fat, but is also cholesterol free. Scientific research also indicates that protein provides greater satiety - the feeling of being full - than fat or carbohydrates, which can certainly aid in weight management issues."

In addition, calcium-fortified soymilk provides a rich source of calcium and other essential vitamins and nutrients, many of which are sorely lacking in today's diets.

Scientific research also associates soy protein with several important health benefits including a reduced risk for heart disease and certain types of cancer, two of the nation's leading causes of death.

A global leader in the research and application of soy protein, The Solae Company, based in St. Louis, Missouri, serves food and beverage manufacturers, dietary supplement developers, retailers and consumers in 80 countries worldwide including the United States and Canada, Europe and the Middle East, Latin America and the Asia/Pacific region. The company was formed through an alliance between Bunge Limited and DuPont. For more than 30 years, The Solae Company has invested in fundamental research to understand the health benefits of soy protein to create better ingredients for better living. Researchers at more than 180 leading universities and research institutions have use soy protein products produced by The Solae Company in hundreds of completed and ongoing soy studies.

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