Released June 24, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- School’s out. The weather is heating up, and kids are looking for things to do. Help your kids cook up some cool treats that are good for them with soy foods.

“This summer, take advantage of the opportunity to cook with your kids. It’s a great way to get them interested in trying new foods. If they help pick out the ingredients or prepare the foods, they’ll want to eat them, too,” says Gretchen Hofing, Michigan State University (MSU) Extension and soy foods health educator. “Make the experience fun for the whole family and explore cooking with soy foods. Soy foods deliver health benefits to people of all ages. The wide range of soy food products available makes them easy to incorporate into any meal of the day,” says Hofing, a registered dietitian based in Lenawee County.

The essential nutrients in soy foods boost growth and development, build healthy bones and help maintain a healthy weight. Soy foods contain no cholesterol, little or no saturated fat, high quality protein and dietary fiber. Many soy foods also provide B vitamins, vitamins A and D, calcium, iron and potassium.

Research has also demonstrated that consuming soy foods during childhood and/or adolescence reduces breast cancer risk later in life. The studies suggest that as little as one serving per day can have this protective effect.

Take the time to think about how your child can help in the kitchen. Toddlers can pick peas out of a pod, rinse fruits or vegetables, or add ingredients to a bowl. Preschoolers can tear lettuce, break off pieces of broccoli or cauliflower, snap green beans, mix and stir. Early elementary-age children can use a dull knife to slice fruits such as bananas or strawberries or spread peanut butter and measure ingredients.

Go to a U-pick farm or a farmers’ market to talk about where food comes from with your child. Picking berries is an activity everyone can enjoy, and it gets the family out and active together.

Try the following strawberry banana smoothie recipe with your child. It’s a cool summer treat that you can feel good about your kids drinking. It’s easy enough for little ones to help with or older kids to do on their own.

Purchasing and consuming soy foods is a great way to support your health and Michigan agriculture. The Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee represents the soybean producers in the state and funds soybean research and educational efforts. For more information on the Michigan Soybean Promotion Committee, visit http://www.michigansoybean.org. For information on MSU Extension nutrition programs, visit http://www.msue.msu.edu/fcs and click on “Nutrition.”

Look for more soy food recipes at http://www.soyfoods.com.

Strawberry Banana Smoothie

1 pound fresh strawberries (about 1 qt.), trimmed and halved 1 ripe banana, cut into pieces 1 cup ice cubes 1/2 package (6 ounces) silken soft tofu 1/2 cup orange juice 2 tablespoons sugar

Combine all ingredients in a blender; process until smooth. Makes four 1-cup servings.

-30-

http://anrcom.msu.edu/press/060108/062408_junesoy.htm

Contacts: Gretchen L. Hofing, 517-264-5300

Michelle Lavra, 432-1555, ext.156