Her work has been published at various cooking and nutrition websites. and Textured vegetable protein, also referred to as textured soy protein, is a meat substitute or extender. It has a good amount of protein with a low amount of calories, which is something that can be hard to get from plant sources. Nicki Wolf has been writing health and human interest articles since 1986. Let’s go over the main ways that TVP may or may not be good for you. Trace amounts are very small amounts that don’t actually affect health. Comparing it to soybeans (which TVP comes from), I think it’s fair to say that whole soybeans are healthier in a typical diet and the preferable option. Here’s a brief overview of how TVP is made: The high heat likely destroys most of the nutrients (vitamins and minerals), which isn’t great. Copyright © Nutrition is the starting point for whether a food is healthy or not. In total, protein makes up 52 out of the 90 calories in a serving, or 58% of calorie, which is really useful for vegan athletes. The common sense conclusion is that TVP is healthy to include in your diet as one of your protein sources, but not something most people should eat in large amounts. It is worth noting that it does pose potential health risks, however. TVP is a trademarked brand name that has become the frequent identifier. TVP (like almost anything) can be a component of a healthy diet. I did a detailed summary of many relevant studies on this topic and they all come to that conclusion. Additionally, a serving of TVP provides 16 percent of the calcium and 1 percent of the vitamin A you require daily. diagnosis or treatment. Chemical engineer turned semi-professional soccer player and freelance nutrition writer. In terms of vitamin and minerals, it has some, but nothing too crazy. Primarily made of soybeans, TVP is often sold as a dehydrated mix, although it is possible to purchase it in ready-to-eat blocks. If you’re struggling to get enough protein, it’s a “healthy” addition to your diet. Lots of vitamins and minerals? You require 130 grams of carbs per day for best health. In terms of other nutrients, it’s not really very healthy or unhealthy. Finally, there’s the long standing myth of soy causing estrogen levels to rise. . After a quick search, I can’t see any studies that have looked at anything around that topic. TVP is a high-fiber, high-protein meat substitute made from soy flour. Processed foods aren’t dangerous, but they can reduce the amount of fiber and micronutrients found in foods, which are important. Texturized vegetable protein, or TVP, serves as an excellent meat replacement. MyFitnessPal: Textured Vegetable Protein - Vegetarian Protein, McKinley Health Center: Macronutrients: the Importance of Carbohydrate, Protein, and Fat, University of Maryland Medical Center: Potassium, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Adolescent and Adult Results From the Shanghai Women's Health StudyStudy, American Journal of Clinical Nutrition: Soy Consumption and Prostate Cancer Risk in Men: A Revisit of a Meta-Analysis, PARTNER & LICENSEE OF THE LIVESTRONG FOUNDATION. Many bloggers without scientific backgrounds raise alarm about this. TVP Nutrition Nutrition is the starting point for whether a food […] At the same time, some studies point to soy as the blame for breast cancer because of its phytoestrogen content. But you have to realize a few things. A 1-cup serving of prepared TVP contains 224 calories. The consensus is that this hexane is harmless, that you'd have to eat absurd amounts of TVP in a very short amount of time for it to be able to accumulate enough to do any damage. The carbs in a serving of TVP break down to provide energy to keep your body functioning as it should, and the nutrient plays a role in the health of your brain, muscles and kidneys. The generic name is Total Soy Protein, or TSP, which is actually a more accurate description since it contains a derivative of soybeans rather than actual vegetables. , You could test almost any food and find trace amounts of dangerous elements like arsenic. But is it good or healthy for you? Advantages & Disadvantages of TVP. Vegetarians often need to get creative when it comes to meeting their protein needs. When it comes to hexane, the FDA has an upper limit in spices of 25 parts per million (ppm). Probably healthy. Leaf Group Ltd. Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the LIVESTRONG.COM One serving contains 81 percent of the daily recommended intake. Copyright Policy Texturized vegetable protein, or TVP, serves as an excellent meat replacement. However, evidence published in the July 2008 issue of the journal "Human Reproduction" correlates high soy consumption with decreased sperm quality. Let’s go over the main ways that TVP may or may not be good for you. I guess I will use it sparingly. Another thing that can make a food unhealthy is being overly “processed.”. Textured vegetable protein, also known as TVP, is a manufactured soy product. Other than that, there's the soy estrogen stuff, which has no evidence to back it up. One serving of TVP provides you with 32 grams of protein, making it an excellent source of this macronutrient and a good choice for vegetarians. TVP, primarily made of soy, may help prevent breast cancer, although soy's cancer protective benefits are inconclusive. It is incredibly wealthy in complete protein and contains no fat, so it is an excellent alternative to meat. The material appearing on LIVESTRONG.COM is for educational use only. During the manufacturing process, many manufacturers use hexane as a solvent. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English from Temple University. Your friendly neighborhood vegan from Toronto. Moreover, we do not select every advertiser or advertisement that appears on the web site-many of the Terms of Use Long story short, no, soy does not affect estrogen or testosterone levels. i’ve yet to find a conclusion on wether there is or isnt dangerous amounts of aluminum in tvp. We have to be careful with that work because processed just means something was done to a food. Textured Vegetable Protein is a highly nutritious soy product. What Is Textured Vegetable Protein? TVP (Textured vegetable protein), similar to soy curls, seems like a great food for vegans (or anyone really) at first. If you adhere to a 2,000-calorie diet, the calories in a serving of TVP make up 11.2 percent of the amount you may consume daily. used as a substitute for professional medical advice, Probably unhealthy. TVP contains trace amounts of hexane, used in processing. Coconut Milk vs Almond Milk: (Nutrition, Taste, Environment), Seitan Nutrition Data: Macros and Protein Content, Soy protein isolate is removed from whole soybeans by mixing them with an alkaline solution and running them through an acid wash, The resulting slurry is heated to remove moisture to make a powder, The powder is put through high temperatures and pressures and extruded to make TVP shapes. You will also get 35 percent of the iron you need each day in a serving of TVP. Textured vegetable protein may not be harmful for everyone, but it contains a hidden ingredient that causes reactions in some people. LIVESTRONG.com may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. 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