Super Soy: The Sustainable Powerhouse Fuelling Our Future!
Soybeans have been a dietary staple for centuries, but their modern-day superpowers go far beyond just nutrition. These little legumes are proving to be a sustainable solution to some of our planet’s biggest challenges, including dog food. Let’s explore why soybeans are earning their title as a true “superfood.”
Environmental Champion
- Nitrogen Fixation: As legumes, soybeans have the unique ability to pull nitrogen from the air and convert it into a usable form for plants. Soybeans (as well as Peanuts, Cowpeas, and Fava beans) are some of the most efficient nitrogen-fixers of the legume family, therefore can even flourish in nitrogen-deficient soils. This reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers, which can harm waterways and contribute to climate change.
- Crop Rotation: Soybeans are often rotated with other crops like corn, which helps improve soil health and reduce pest pressure, leading to more sustainable farming practices.
- Lower Carbon Footprint: Compared to animal agriculture, soybean production generates significantly fewer greenhouse gas emissions. This makes them more climate-friendly protein source.
Nutritional Powerhouse
We do talk about soybeans protein quite a bit! But how does soy’s protein levels really stack up against the other plant protein contenders?
● Double the protein: One of the closest to soybean in term of protein is the
chickpea… yet soybean still contains more than double the amount of protein
that chickpeas do!
● Complete Protein: Unlike most plant-based protein sources, soybeans offer all
nine essential amino acids for humans, making them an ideal choice for
vegetarians, vegans, and anyone looking to diversify their protein intake.
Interesting fact: While they contain all the 9 essential amino acids for humans,
they don’t have enough of 1 of them, an amino acid called methionine – that means you
could eat soybean as your only protein. You have to get your extra methionine
from other protein sources like nuts, buckwheat, quinoa, black/turtle/kidney
beans, sunflower seeds and more – which is why you have never heard of
anyone being methionine deficient.
● Nutrient-Dense: Soybeans are packed with B vitamins, the minerals
iron, calcium, manganese, phosphorus, and healthy plant fibre.
● Heart Health: Studies suggest soy consumption may help lower “bad”
cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Can dogs really eat soy?
Soy has been used in pet and animal foods for years. Mostly, it has been the protein isolate of soybean that is used – which is a by-product of when soy oil is extracted for culinary and industrial use (soy oil is big business, the world basically runs on it). As its name suggests, it’s a high protein isolate … but it has been called ‘filler’ for years as basically, it wasn’t meat.
At Noochy Poochy we use full-fat soybeans (i.e. not a by-product; the soybeans we use still contain all their lovely oils) in both our recipes. In fact, we love soybeans so much it is our star ingredient in Adult 12mth+ and our third ingredient in Puppy & Small Adult!
Remember how we said soybeans provided all 9 essential amino acids for humans but was a bit low on methionine content?
Amazingly, soy contains all the 10 essential amino acids dogs need to take in through their diet! But again, as their methionine content is low, even when blended into our carefully balanced recipe with other plant-based protein sources, we still supplement all our Noochy Poochy recipes with methionine to ensure an adequate supply for our canine customers.
Did you know?
Edamame beans are soybeans! Yes the delicious starter in many restaurants is actually a bowl of immature soybeans.
Vegans killing the planet with soy?
Yes we’ve all heard this argument (from people who haven’t done their homework!)
The vast majority i.e nearly 80% of soy crops are grown to feed livestock so they will in turn produce meat and dairy for human consumption.
When of course, if humans just got all of the protein and amino acids from eating soybeans as part of a varied plant-based diet in the first place – we could saved all the needless breeding and slaughter of livestock plus all the extra water, land and greenhouse gases used in the inefficient conversion of all of this soybean to meat and dairy.
Raw soybean warning
Never eat raw soybeans yourself, or offer raw soybeans to your dog. Raw soybeans contain trypsin-like inhibitors and are toxic to all monogastric animals. Trypsin-like inhibitors are destroyed by cooking.
A Sustainable Future with Soy
As our planet faces the challenges of a growing population and the urgent need to
reduce our environmental impact, soybeans are emerging as a key player. Their
sustainable cultivation practices, combined with their impressive nutritional profile
and versatility, make them a powerful tool for building a more sustainable food
system.
The Bottom Line
Soybeans aren’t just a healthy and delicious food choice; they’re a sustainable solution with the potential to transform our food system for the better.