With product variety, enjoy soy all day long

Family Features

If you want to improve your diet by adding healthy foods, now may be the perfect time to try something new, something soy.

April is National Soyfoods Month, and finding delicious soy-based foods has never been easier.

“Soy foods can be a part of any healthy, well-balanced diet because they are full of high-quality protein that is low in saturated fat, full of nutrients, and cholesterol-free,” said Patricia Greenberg, The Fitness Gourmet.

Greenberg offers these tips for enjoying soy foods all day long:

Breakfast

For creamier oatmeal, replace half the cooking water with vanilla soy milk.

Slice veggie sausage links into scrambled eggs or breakfast casserole.

Top English muffins with soy-nut butter, bananas and cinnamon.

Lunch

Make a better BLT with soy-based bacon strips.

Add steamed edamame beans to soups and salads.

Go for the veggie burger — and be sure to add all your favorite condiments.

Dinner

Thicken creamy sauces, soups, and dressings with pur ed silken tofu.

Blend shredded soy cheddar with regular cheese for tacos and quesadillas.

Add sliced vegetarian sausage to Italian-style peppers or jambalaya.

Snack

Carry single-serving containers of chocolate soy milk for on-the-go snacks.

Make your own trail mix with roasted soy nuts, dried fruits and bite-sized whole grain cereal.

Carry soy and fruit bars in your purse or backpack for emergency snack attacks.

Attention, savvy shoppers: Be ready, because there will be a variety of soy-food promotions running throughout April. Get familiar with where your grocery store stocks these products and you are sure to find a bargain:

Soy cheese: In refrigerated cases with dairy and juice products, in the produce section, and in the health-food or natural-food aisles.

Soy milk: Soy milk comes in two forms; one needs to be refrigerated and can be found in the refrigerated section. Shelf-stable soy milk can be found in the health-food section, the cereal aisle, or near other shelf-stable beverages.

Tofu: Tofu comes in many forms: firm, silken-style, sprouted, high protein and baked tofu, found in the refrigerated-meat section, produce section or natural-foods section. Shelf-stable silken tofu can be found in the Asian food section or in the natural-food aisles.

Meat alternatives: Meat alternatives, such as veggie burgers, soy sausage, soy crumbles and edamame, can be found in the freezer section. Edamame may also be found in the fresh-produce section.

Soy desserts: Soy desserts, including soy frozen yogurt and soy toppings, can be found in the refrigerated section or in the freezer aisle.

To learn more about specific soy foods and discover ways to celebrate National Soyfoods Month, visit www.soyfoodsmonth.org, or follow the Soyfoods Association of North America on Twitter @socialSANA.