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| Raw Tempeh |
If you've tried to cut back or eliminate meat, you know how difficult it can be to find a meat substitute that isn't filled with preservatives, potentially harmful ingredients, and are highly processed. A lot of meat substitutes can be mainly consumed of soy protein, soy protein concentrate, and genetically modified foods (GMO). These ingredients can be cancer causing because they are highly processed and over time this can develop harmful affects on the body. Most frozen foods such as Morning Star, Gardein, and Boca Burger fall into this category, and there are very few options that do not have GMO ingredients. The products that are non-GMO include Dr. Praeger's frozen foods, Tofurky products, raw tofu, and raw tempeh.
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| Tofurky's Tempeh |
I've noticed that over time tofu can become very tiresome and bland, even with different sauces and vegetables being paired with it. I recently discovered tempeh, while on a quest to find a tofu alternative. I've always known what tempeh was but I never purchased and attempted to prepare it. Before cooking the raw tempeh, I decided to try it first so I purchased a refrigerated prepackaged Tofurky product of tempeh. The tempeh resembled strips of bacon and it was marinated in a molasses which gave it a smokey taste and contained non GMO ingredients. After grilling the strips of tempeh, I noticed how the texture and the overall product really tasted like meat. As opposed to tofu which is soft and naturally bland in taste and texture, tempeh is the complete opposite being very grainy in texture and in taste. After having such a pleasant experience with the prepackaged tempeh, I bought some raw tempeh and simply cut it up into triangular pieces and grilled it. The final product was satisfying and filling.
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| Soy Beans |
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| Meat..Really? |
The health benefits of tempeh is just as impressive as it's taste. Tempeh is full of natural fiber and protein. Tempeh is soybean based and the amount of protein in soybeans are equal to animal protein. The protein in tempeh provides 40% of your DV for only 4 oz and it doesn't compromise your cholesterol levels like animal proteins do. Meats do not contain the amount of fiber that soybean based products have and the fiber helps the body digest. Tempeh is also low in sodium, easy for your body to digest, contains antioxidants such as Rhizopus which helps prevent intestinal diseases. Opposed to animal protein, tempeh's protein content does not contain animal fats and can lower blood pressure and keep blood pressure under control. Some other health benefits that tempeh contains include: 23.5% of Riboflavin, 21% of Magnesium, and 72% of Copper and Manganese for only a 4 oz serving! So the next time you're at the supermarket, don't be tempted by meat and try tempeh, your body and taste buds won't be disappointed.
Sources:
http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=126#healthbenefits
http://www.tempeh.info/health/tempehhealth.php
