8 Foods You're Afraid to Try... But Should

Check out these superfoods that will boost your health -- if only you'd give them a chance (10 Photos)

Leslie Goldman on Jun 17, 2010 at 12:39PM

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8 Foods You're Afraid to Try... But Should

Michael Rosenfeld

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Tofu



It's not just for vegans and hippies! Once only found in Asian supermarkets, you can now purchase tofu from most mainstream grocery stores. Made from the curds of soybean milk and typically sold in blocks, tofu has the ability to take on the flavor of sauces and neighboring ingredients, making it extremely versatile for cooking. And as a plant-based protein, it's rich in isoflavones (a class of disease-fighting phytochemicals) and fiber.

Some breast cancer survivors avoid soy because isoflavones act like weak estrogens in the body. Research is conflicting, but Ventrelle says 25 grams of natural soy sources a day, like tofu, soy milk and edamame, can be safe for everyone. If you have a personal or family history of breast cancer, just avoid isolated versions of soy protein such as soy protein powders and products fortified with soy protein.

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