The book by Glen Merzer-Food is Climate points out that a plant-based diet is the most effective means of addressing climate change. Food waste and Planned Parenthood are also high on the list, far above many other alternatives.
The United States is the world’s second largest producer of soybeans, about 110 million metric tons per year, but 98% are genetically modified requiring vast amounts of round-up weed control. Less than 1% of US soybeans are organically grown. Most of these soybeans are crushed for oil and the protein is fed to animals, fish, and foul.
If 12% of these soybeans were converted to organic soyfoods such as edamame, soymilk, tofu, tempeh, yogurt, probiotic drinks and desserts, the available protein would feed the entire US population. If these organic soybeans were rotated with organic corn as was common practice before chemical fertilizers and pesticides were introduced, the available plant-based protein would be far more than is needed.
Today, millions of dollars are invested into exotic plant-based foods that look, feel, and taste like dairy milk, yogurt, cheese, hamburger, bacon, hot dogs, chicken, or fish to satisfy people used to the American diet. Few of these foods are organic or nutritionally balanced. To ignore the huge nutritional and economic advantage of organic soyfoods is not only unfortunate but an unforgivable misuse of our natural resources.
Organic Soyfoods by Ted A. Nordquist
July 20, 2023
The book by Glen Merzer-Food is Climate points out that a plant-based diet is the most effective means of addressing climate change. Food waste and Planned Parenthood are also high on the list, far above many other alternatives.
The United States is the world’s second largest producer of soybeans, about 110 million metric tons per year, but 98% are genetically modified requiring vast amounts of round-up weed control. Less than 1% of US soybeans are organically grown. Most of these soybeans are crushed for oil and the protein is fed to animals, fish, and foul.
If 12% of these soybeans were converted to organic soyfoods such as edamame, soymilk, tofu, tempeh, yogurt, probiotic drinks and desserts, the available protein would feed the entire US population. If these organic soybeans were rotated with organic corn as was common practice before chemical fertilizers and pesticides were introduced, the available plant-based protein would be far more than is needed.
Today, millions of dollars are invested into exotic plant-based foods that look, feel, and taste like dairy milk, yogurt, cheese, hamburger, bacon, hot dogs, chicken, or fish to satisfy people used to the American diet. Few of these foods are organic or nutritionally balanced. To ignore the huge nutritional and economic advantage of organic soyfoods is not only unfortunate but an unforgivable misuse of our natural resources.