Health

Vegan and Dairy-Free Diets: Know the Difference!

People might assume that vegan and dairy-free products are the same. There are indeed many similarities between the two, but they are different. All vegan foods are dairy-free, but all dairy-free products are not vegan. If you’ve planned for yourself a specific diet, you need to be aware of the difference between the two. 

Defining the Two

Vegan

Dairy-free

A dairy-free diet is free from all dairy products. It avoids every product derived from animal milk like butter, cheese, ice cream, yoghurt, and whey.

Why choose to go Vegan?

There are numerous reasons out there for you to go vegan. A few reasons might be that you love animals and the environment, and you want to play your part in protecting them, so you go vegan, or it might be that animal-based foods and ingredients don’t suit you, you are allergic to them, so you choose a vegan lifestyle. Whatever the reasons might be, going vegan requires a huge commitment.

Why choose a Dairy-free diet?

People choose dairy-free products or go for a dairy-free diet because they might be allergic to dairy or suffer from lactose intolerance. At first, you might not know that you are allergic to dairy because the symptoms are mild, but if you face problems like gassy or feeling bloated after consuming dairy products, you should go for a dairy-free diet.

Know the Difference Between A Vegan Diet And A Dairy-Free Diet!

—People on a dairy-free diet can have any other animal product like scrambled eggs, fish, honey, chicken, and so on, apart from dairy products like milk, cheese, butter, yoghurt, etc. 

—-However, people on a vegan diet cannot consume any of these things. To state clearly–All vegan diets are dairy-free; a dairy-free diet is not vegan.

People who avoid dairy products can still have other animal-based products, provided they are not allergic to those animal products.

Let us highlight the foods that are both Vegan and Dairy-Free!

All vegan foods are dairy-free. Most whole foods are both vegan and dairy-free. For instance:

  • Vegetables
  •  Fruits
  •  Grains
  •  Legumes
  •  Pasta
  • Nuts

To Conclude....

Products labelled as dairy-free should be assumed to be vegan. For example, ice cream may be labelled as “dairy-free” ice cream, but it might contain honey or eggs, products of other animals. If you are on a vegan diet, choose products that specify “it’s vegan”. Read the ingredients of every product you buy as per your diet. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Lacto-vegetarian. People on this diet consume dairy products but not eggs, meat, and fish.

Yes, tofu contains protein and is also a popular vegan food.

  • Tofu
  • Almonds
  • Quinoa
  • Peanuts
  • Chickpeas
  • Lentils

Vegans can get iron by consuming tofu, vegetables, dry fruits, bread, legumes, and whole grain cereals.

Tofu is an excellent source of protein, calcium, and iron and is popular among vegans and vegetarians. It also helps in weight loss and has no cholesterol.

Top 7 Health Benefits of Soy Milk – Everyone should know!

The first and foremost benefit of soymilk comes if you are lactose intolerant. Though you are lactose intolerant, you desire a good source of protein milk in your diet. It also may be the case that you have immense love for your environment, so you chose to become a vegan and look for an alternative milk substitute. Soy Milk is the most popular milk substitute or cow milk alternative known within budget.

Soy Milk has numerous nutritional advantages. Flavoured soy milk is also available in the market, but generally, it has sugar added to it with the flavour. However, the self-life of Soy Milk is more than dairy products, and certain packed varieties can be kept at room temperature also for months, thus avoiding food spoilage and wastage.

According to the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,  except for premature infants,  Soy Milk can serve as the sole protein source in all human beings. If we are not missing out, the protein in soy milk is the most proportional protein for human consumption.

Health Benefits of Soy Milk

1-Lactose Intolerance

For individuals suffering from the issue of Lactose Intolerance for them, Soy milk and Tofu are wonderful foods. It has been observed that more than 50% f the Indian and global population face problems digesting Dairy milk—the deficiency of dairy milk results in abdominal pains involving embarrassing flatulence. Soy milk and tofu are an excellent food for people suffering from this problem.

2-Reduce Heart Disease Risk

It has also been observed that Soy Milk may reduce the level of bad cholesterol (LDL). Research has indicated that a good amount of legumes, including soy, can lead to lower rates of heart disease.

There are a group of chemicals in the plant called phytoestrogens and isoflavones, and these chemicals can be found in Soy Milk which highlights its benefits. These chemicals can reduce inflammation in blood vessels and enhance their elasticity. Therefore, improving blood fat and lowering the chances of heart disease. The presence of saponins and compounds found in Soy Milk has a protective impact on heart health.

3-Lowers the risk of Cancers

The intake of Soy Milk lowers the risk of cancers in the digestive system. The study observed that higher intakes of soy milk result in a 61% lower risk of stomach cancer in men and a 59% lower risk in women. It also lowers the risk of cancers in the digestive system.

4-May Lower the Risk of Diabetes

A regular intake of Soy Milk may improve insulin sensitivity and lessen blood sugar and insulin levels. The presence of isoflavones in soy-based products may elevate blood sugar control. If one drinks soy milk regularly, it may lower insulin and blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity.

5-Helps to solve age-related brain illness

Population studies have indicated that in regions where people consume more soy-based products, there is a lower incidence of age-related mental disorders like Alzheimer’s due to lecithin content, which helps the body produce phospholipids phosphatidic acid (PA) and phosphatidylserine (PS). PA and PS play an essential role in the functioning of neurons.

It is also attributed to affecting skin elasticity, thus reducing wrinkles in the skin.

6-Reduces risk of Breast Cancer

Studies and journals as recent as early 2020 indicated and confirmed that drinking soy milk reduces the risk of breast cancer and may help safeguard against it. The presence of isoflavones has also positively influenced the menstrual cycle and blood oestrogen levels. It’s more beneficial if exposure to soy protein is from childhood, not that it’s not helpful if taken later.

7-Contains Calcium and Iron

There is an increase in the body’s calcium and iron intake by drinking Soy Milk. The body relies on the calcium from your diet to maintain dense and robust bone tissue. So, supplementing the body with one cup of soy milk can contribute to about 30% of the recommended calcium of the body through it.

Iron is required for the proper function of red blood cells of the body, which soy milk can provide, ensuring that all the tissues throughout the body get the necessary oxygen they need. Soy Milk provides a certain recommended amount of daily Iron the body requires.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoyed our article about the health benefits of soy milk! We know that many people have switched to soy products to help improve their health, and we hope you can too! We know that you can easily improve your overall health by enjoying soy milk & other soy products regularly.

Soy milk is a great alternative to cow’s milk for people who have dietary restrictions. Soy milk is also a great alternative for people who want to try something different from regular milk.

If you enjoyed this article but still have some queries about soy milk, please visit Soy Milk faqs.

Tofu vs Paneer : Which One Should You Really Choose?

Paneer is a well-known dairy product, and tofu is a dairy-free cheese that beats paneer when it comes to health. Both seem to be almost the same in appearance but differ in nutritional content. Both are mild, soft, and white. However, the significant difference between the two is that paneer is made from animal milk, whereas Tofu is a soybean product and is free from animal-based ingredients.

Know the Difference

Let us highlight some more details about paneer and Tofu.

As said earlier, paneer is created from the milk of buffalo or cow, which is soured using lime juice or some other acid. Indian cottage cheese is the other name for paneer. One can recall the American cottage cheese with the mild taste of paneer. Paneer or cottage cheese is a very typical Asian cuisine, and its texture differs from spongy, soft, to somewhat firm.

On the contrary, Tofu is a soy milk product and does not contain any animal ingredient. It is soured just like a paneer, and one can get different textures of Tofu that involve firm and extra-firm Tofu. Tofu initially originated in China and is now consumed in different parts of the world. Soups and stir-fries are the most common tofu dishes.

This blog presents the significant differences and similarities between a soya milk product- Tofu, and a dairy product- paneer.

A Brief Comparison of Tofu and Paneer

1) Nutritional Content

Protein is the leading nutrition found in both paneer and Tofu. Micronutrients are also present in distinct quantities in these products. The amount of protein in Tofu is higher as compared with paneer. This is because of the complex process of making Tofu. Both Tofu and paneer contain calcium. However, Tofu has other nutrients like vitamin B1 and amino acids, and on the other hand, paneer has potassium and magnesium as other nutrients.

Tofu has zero cholesterol levels, whereas there is 90mg cholesterol in 100gms paneer. The calorie content in Tofu is below 100 with no added fatty calories, whereas in 100gms paneer, the calorie content is above 300 with 200 additional calories from its fats.

 By viewing the details above, it is found that Tofu, also known as bean curd, is healthier than paneer. However, if you are allergic to soybeans, you should opt for paneer, and if you are allergic to dairy products, then Tofu is the best non-dairy vegan delicacy.

2) Weight Loss

Now, we are aware of the significant differences and similarities between Tofu and paneer according to the nutritional content. Both Tofu and paneer are the source of protein with the difference in their amount of nutrition content. As stated above, the calorie content in paneer is higher than that of Tofu.The people who are conscious of their weight must prefer Tofu over paneer to maintain a healthy weight.

Midas Soy will be the best option to get fresh Tofu that is healthy and hygienically prepared and will support you in a desirable weight loss.

3) Taste

Let us now come to the taste of dairy-based and soy products. Tofu and paneer don’t taste similar. Tofu does not have a taste of its own. It lacks flavour. However, it takes the flavour into whatever marinated or seasoned in. This aspect is also true of paneer, but Tofu does it significantly better. The taste of paneer is sour and milky, whereas Tofu has a bean taste.

4) Other Benefits

Tofu is the best meat alternative and the best paneer substitute that helps reduce weight and helps maintain cholesterol levels. It is relatively higher in iron content than paneer and is recommended to people with a low haemoglobin level.

What’s the Conclusion?

Tofu is healthier than paneer in various aspects, as described above. Paneer holds cholesterol and Trans fats that are not good for a healthy diet. It would be best to stick to Tofu for its many health benefits and healthy living.  

Know the Benefits of a Vegan Delicacy – Tofu

Tofu originated in the Far East countries and is also called Bean Curd. Now, it is the most desired vegan delicacy. 

Tofu is made from soybeans. It is a tasteless & odorless processed Soybean food product that quickly adopts the taste of the medium when marinated. Tofu is a low-fat and low-calorie diet. Having a solid medicinal, nutritional, and substitutive value, Tofu has gained a place worldwide. It is the most fantastic alternative for meat, including beef, chicken, pork, and seafood recipes.

Furthermore, soya paneer is the way for those intending to reduce weight and cut down on calories. It is rich in healthy minerals/items like manganese, iron, copper, phosphorus, selenium, and magnesium. Well, these are just a few of the reasons to include tofu in your diet; there are tremendous other reasons why you should include tofu in your meal.

Why Eat Soy Paneer or Tofu?

The benefits of Tofu are many. Many of us are unaware of how nutritious Tofu is, but let me tell you; it is loaded with goodness. From promoting weight loss to preventing the risk of heart disease, Tofu has covered it all. Following are the causes why you should include Tofu in your diet:

Promotes Weight Loss

Many individuals opt for Tofu for one of the primary reasons: it facilitates weight loss. Replace the dairy paneer with Tofu if you intend to lose your extra weight. Many individuals go to gyms or plan to get a slimmer body; look to Midas Soy Nutrition to get high-quality tofu and have it daily in their diet.

Rich in Protein

As Tofu is made from soy milk, it is highly rich in protein content, and this becomes the most apparent reason to have Tofu every day. Hence, it benefits us in several ways, like it affects skin elasticity, thus reducing wrinkles in the skin, controlling ageing, and many more. Tofu may also prevent liver damage caused by various coagulants caused by free radicals. It also contributes to healthy hair.

Boosts Immunity

Improving our immune system has been immensely important since the Covid-19 pandemic broke out. The initial action towards a fit body is to power it with nutrients. As Tofu is highly rich in minerals, proteins, antioxidants, and nutrients, it improves the functioning of the immune system.

Prevents Risk of Stroke

One can also protect themselves from getting a stroke with the intake of Tofu, which is another fantastic health benefit. The regular consumption of Tofu will safeguard you from cardiovascular disease. It can reduce the insufficient cholesterol level in the body and decrease the number of triglycerides to defend you from a stroke. Filled with bioactive peptides, Tofu acts like an anti-inflammatory agent, thus controlling blood pressure.

Helpful for Diabetics

If you have diabetes, Tofu could be a nourishing food for you. People do not have to think twice before having Tofu as it is shallow in fat and calories. The consumption of a minimum of 200 grams of Tofu every day will reduce the danger of getting Type-2 diabetes. The presence of isoflavones in Tofu may elevate blood sugar control. If one is consuming Tofu regularly, it may lower insulin and blood sugar levels and insulin sensitivity. 

 If you wish to lower the risk of getting diabetes, then include Tofu on the typical diet menu.

Diminish Osteoporosis

The consumption of Tofu may reduce Osteoporosis as it contains isoflavones that help reduce bone loss and enhance mineral density in bones. Isoflavones in soy-based products have positively impacted blood oestrogen levels and the menstrual cycle in women.

Favourable Impact on Brain Functions

Studies related to population have shown that in areas where there is relatively high consumption of soy-based products, age-related mental disorders like Alzheimer’s are lower. This is because soy-based products contain lecithin that further assists the body to produce phospholipids acid (PA) and phosphatidylserine (PS). PA and PS play a crucial role in the functioning of neurons. It has a favourable impact on brain functions and brain memory.

Tofu & Uses

FAQ's About Tofu

Tofu or Soy Paneer is also called Bean Curd in the Far East countries where it originated. It is a popular Vegan diet delicacy now. Tofu is made from soybeans. It is a tasteless & odorless processed Soybean food product. It has acquired a place among the world population due to its nutritional, medicinal, and substitutive value.

To order Tofu in bulk, you need to visit the contact us page of Midas Soy and fill in the details given & click on submit. Our team will get in touch with you shortly.

The products during their preparation are under complete sterilized supervision and condition. Bare hands are avoided in the course of production and prepared hygienically.

  • Tofu may help to lower the level of bad cholesterol (LDL). 
  • Research has shown that a high intake of legumes, including soy, is linked to lower rates of heart disease.
  • Lower the risk of breast cancer, stomach cancer & prostate cancer
  • May reduce risk of diabetes
  • May reduce Osteoporosis and lower incidence of age-related mental disorders 
  • It reduces wrinkles in the skin

Tofu is a vegan diet since it is made from plants and is a rich source of protein. Tofu is the most fabulous substitute for meat, including chicken, beef, pork, and seafood recipes. It has an extraordinary ability to absorb flavors through spices, herbs, and marinades.

Currently, India ranks fourth in producing good quality soybean globally. Hygienically and technically manufactured Tofu in the plants of India can easily compete with the requirement of Tofu in Western Countries. Midas Soy manufactures the best quality tofu from indigenously grown equivalent to US variety grade soybeans.

  • Regular Tofu
  • Silken Tofu
  • Firm Tofu
  • Extra-firm Tofu
  • Super-firm Tofu
  • The Seasoned/Herbal Tofu
  • Palak Tofu

Midas Soy Nutrients manufactures all the above-discussed varieties of Tofu for the domestic and export markets.

Though Tofu is a staple food of Japan and East Asian Countries, it has been increasingly popular in Western countries due to its nutritional values and rise in the lookout for Vegan diets in the western world. Both Vegetarians and Vegans love to have Tofu as it serves as an affordable alternative to meat.

Soymilk & Uses

FAQ's About Soymilk

Soymilk is plant-based milk made from soybeans. It is the best alternative source of milk in a vegan diet and regular diet and has the best medicinal and nutritional values. It is manufactured by cold grinding the water-soaked soybeans with adding water and then cooking the ground mixture at high temperature and pressure and then separating the same from cooked Soybean crush called Okara by filtering.

As per the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition”, Soy Milk can serve as a sole protein source in all human beings except premature infants. The protein in soy milk is the most balanced protein for human consumption. 

  • The study observed that higher intakes of soy milk lower the risk of stomach cancer 
  • It lowers the risk of heart disease
  • Soy milk and tofu are an excellent food for people suffering from lactose intolerance
  • Its regular intake may improve insulin sensitivity and reduce blood sugar levels
  • Lowers incidence of age-related mental disorders 
  • It reduces the risk of breast cancer

Soy Milk is generally not associated with any side effects. On the contrary, it is an alternative source of Milk for lactose intolerant individuals. The exception is those who have soy allergies.

Though other brands of Soy Milk may contain added sugar disadvantages, Midas Soy Nutrition also manufactures Sweetened yet Sugar-Free Soy Milk.

Research shows that postmenopausal women and others can benefit from soy milk consumption to prevent osteoporosis, so low bone density will benefit from drinking soy milk. Consumption of soy, and its active component called isoflavone, may lower the risk of breast cancer. Soy isoflavones act similarly to oestrogen within the body and ease the symptoms of menopause.

Nothing can be more beneficial than mother's milk for babies, but Soy milk is a good option for infants who are lactose intolerant and allergic to whole cow's milk. It is recommended for babies above one year.

Soy Milk can be made great to taste while containing all the nutrition of soybean devoid of beany taste, little bitter and chalky taste. Soy Milk has its good taste, just as coffee does not taste like tea. It can be handled and used much in the same way as dairy milk.

Some flavors like Elaichi (Cardamom), Kesar ( Saffron), Badam (Almond), Banana,  Mango, Pineapple, etc., are popular in the Indian Market

Soy milk is lower in calories than cow’s milk. The calcium content is the same as cow’s milk, but soy milk is higher in vitamin K than cow’s milk but lower in other nutrients such as vitamins B12, B2, and potassium.

Sweetened but sugar-free brands like Midas Soy are always best made from the best quality soybeans. It is better to always read the label before buying to avoid mixing soy milk with other milk varieties like ‘rice milk’ etc.

Going vegan will save our mother earth. So for the sake of the environment, being vegan is the best decision.