2 Soybean Recipes for Children

Soy can be included in the diet of children to improve their protein intake and thus strengthen their muscles. Don't miss these delicious soybean recipes!

Soy is a food of high nutritional quality that can be included in the diet on a regular basis. It’s capable of providing proteins, micronutrients, and a series of beneficial bioactive compounds and, in addition, it allows you to elaborate the most diverse preparations. Below, we’ll show you the best soybean recipes elaborated that are easy to make so that you include them in the children’s diet. They’re excellent choices from an organoleptic and nutritional point of view. So, don’t hesitate to try them!

1. Russian soybean steaks

Ingredients

• 1 cup fine-textured soybeans
• 2 cups of water
• 1 vegetable stock cube
• A dash of soy sauce
• 2 or 3 slices of sliced bread
• Wheat flour
• Parsley and garlic
• Extra virgin olive oil

Step by step instructions

1. First, hydrate the soybeans. Let them soak in the broth and soy sauce for 30 minutes.
2. Then, drain and reserve the broth.
3. Mix the soy with the crumbled bread crumbs and mix both elements to obtain a manageable dough. Add a little more liquid if necessary. Also, mix in the garlic and parsley and continue stirring.
4. Next, shape the dough balls, flatten them, and roll them in flour.
5. Heat the oil in a frying pan and cook the fillets on both sides.
6. Then, transfer them to a plate with absorbent paper to remove the excess oil before eating.

What nutrients does this preparation provide?

The preparation we’ve just described is particularly recommended to increase the presence of proteins in the diet of little ones. The sufficient intake of these nutrients contributes to preventing chronic diseases of the lean mass, such as sarcopenia.

2. Green soybean soup

Ingredients

• 400 grams of green soybeans
• 2 tomatoes
• 3 carrots
• 1 leek
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 liter of water or broth
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Black pepper
• Salt (for those over one year old)

Step by step instructions

1. To begin, soak the green soybeans overnight and then drain well.
2. Wash and chop the vegetables into fine cubes. Remember to peel the carrot before cutting it.
3. Next, place water or broth in a pot at high power and add the soybeans when it comes to a boil.
4. Cook for 15 minutes and then add the tomatoes, carrots, garlic, and leek.
5. Wait until the vegetables are tender before eating. This usually takes about 20 minutes more.
6. Serve the preparation on a plate and add a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.

What nutrients does this preparation provide?

Green soybean soup stands out, fundamentally, for its high content of quality antioxidants. These elements neutralize the formation of free radicals and their subsequent accumulation in the body’s tissues. Thanks to this mechanism, the possibilities of developing some complex diseases are reduced, as pointed out in a study published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry.

The controversy about soy consumption in childhood

In recent years, there’s been a great controversy as to whether or not to offer soy or its by-products to children. This is due to the fact that the foodstuff concentrates some substances known as phytoestrogens, which could function as endocrine disruptors and alter hormone production.

The truth is that to date, there’s no solid and conclusive evidence to completely discourage its consumption, quite the contrary. There are more recent studies that confirm the innocuousness and safety of soy consumption for human beings, regardless of their condition or age.

For all these reasons, there should be no problem including these recipes with soy in the diet of your little ones. Although, as always and when in doubt, it’s best to talk about it with your family doctor.

Soybean recipes for children, a simple and nutritious option

As you’ve seen, preparing soybean recipes for children is very simple. There are several alternatives to make the most of the nutritional benefits of this food and to include it in the diet on a regular basis.

Before finishing, it’s worth mentioning that a healthy diet is one that’s based on balance and variety. Especially in the growth stage, it’s necessary to avoid deficiencies of essential micronutrients in order to prevent diseases and optimize the functioning of children’s bodies.