Understanding the Animal-Based Diet Philosophy
The animal-based diet is an eating pattern centered on nose-to-tail consumption of animal products, including meat, organs, and raw dairy, often complemented by certain select fruits and raw honey. The core philosophy involves eliminating or drastically reducing plant-based foods, particularly those considered to contain high levels of naturally occurring compounds known as 'antinutrients'. Proponents believe these compounds, including lectins, oxalates, and phytates, can cause digestive issues and inflammation in some individuals, which they aim to avoid. Unlike the stricter carnivore diet, a more moderate animal-based approach may allow some low-toxicity plant foods, but soy is generally not on that list.
The Reason Soy is Excluded
The reason soy is excluded from a standard animal-based diet is multifaceted, primarily due to the antinutrient content and the presence of phytoestrogens. Soybeans contain several compounds that proponents of the animal-based diet find problematic.
- Phytates: High concentrations of phytic acid in soy can bind to minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium, hindering their absorption.
- Lectins: These glycoproteins can disrupt the intestinal lining, potentially leading to increased gut permeability and inflammation, which is contrary to the diet's goal of supporting digestive health.
- Protease Inhibitors: These can interfere with the body's ability to digest protein effectively.
- Phytoestrogens: Soy contains isoflavones, which are plant-based compounds that can mimic estrogen in the body. While research is mixed and highly debated, some in the animal-based community have concerns about potential hormonal disruptions.
Can Fermented Soy Be Included?
The process of fermentation is known to reduce the levels of certain antinutrients in soy, leading some to question if fermented soy products like natto, miso, or tamari could be acceptable. While fermentation does increase digestibility and nutrient availability, most strict adherents to the animal-based philosophy still avoid it. This is because the core principle is to eliminate or severely limit all plant-derived foods, not simply to mitigate their negative effects. For many, the risk of consuming any plant toxin, even in reduced form, is not worth the potential reward, especially when the diet focuses on nutrient-dense animal products.
Comparison: Animal-Based Diet vs. Soy Inclusion
| Feature | Animal-Based Diet Approach | Soy Inclusion Approach | Compatibility | Why It Differs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Core Protein Source | Primary focus on grass-fed beef, wild-caught fish, and organ meats. | Can be a primary or supplemental protein source, often replacing animal protein. | Incompatible | The central tenet of the animal-based diet is prioritizing animal-sourced protein over plant alternatives. |
| Carbohydrates | Limited to low-toxicity sources like fruit and honey, with some variations excluding them entirely. | Soy products introduce carbohydrates, particularly in forms like soy milk or tofu, which is not aligned with the strict low-carb approach of many animal-based diets. | Incompatible | Soy introduces carbs outside the narrow scope of approved fruits, challenging the dietary structure. |
| Antinutrients | Explicitly aims to minimize or eliminate antinutrient consumption from plants. | Contains significant levels of phytates, lectins, and protease inhibitors, even when processed. | Incompatible | The presence of antinutrients in soy, despite processing, is the primary reason for exclusion. |
| Inflammation | Proponents believe removing plant toxins reduces inflammation. | Conflicting views exist on soy's inflammatory effects; some studies link certain compounds to inflammation, while others praise its anti-inflammatory properties. | Incompatible | The diet's philosophy is centered on inflammation reduction via plant avoidance, and soy is viewed as a potential inflammatory agent. |
Making Your Decision: Considerations for Health and Diet
Choosing a diet is a personal journey, and whether to include soy on an animal-based diet depends on your specific goals and level of dietary restriction. While some followers of an animal-based diet might tolerate small amounts of fermented soy, the general consensus within the community is to avoid it entirely. The diet's emphasis on minimizing plant toxins means any soy, even fermented, is a risk not worth taking for many. This is a highly restrictive approach designed for those who experience health issues related to plant compounds, not a dietary pattern for everyone.
For those who do not have severe reactions to antinutrients, a more moderate and balanced diet incorporating both animal and plant products is generally recommended by mainstream health authorities. Soy can be a healthy protein source for many, but it is fundamentally at odds with the core principles of an animal-based diet. It is always best to consult a healthcare professional before making significant changes to your diet to ensure it aligns with your health needs. Understanding the strict philosophy behind the animal-based diet clarifies why soy is not part of the standard protocol.
Conclusion: The Final Verdict on Soy
Ultimately, the answer to "Can you eat soy on an animal-based diet?" is no, if you adhere to the diet's core principles. The foundational rules of an animal-based diet, as promoted by figures like Dr. Paul Saladino, are built on the exclusion of high-antinutrient plant foods, a category that includes soy. This stance is not accidental but integral to the diet's health philosophy. While fermented soy reduces antinutrients, its inclusion would still violate the strict avoidance of legumes and plant toxins that defines this dietary framework. Therefore, for anyone aiming to follow an authentic animal-based diet, all forms of soy are off the menu. For those seeking dietary flexibility, a different eating pattern that allows for a wider range of plant-based foods may be more suitable.
Why is Soy Excluded from the Animal-Based Diet?
The exclusion of soy from the animal-based diet is based on the philosophical avoidance of plant toxins and antinutrients. The diet prioritizes nutrient-dense animal foods and fruit, while eliminating foods like legumes, grains, and seed oils that contain compounds believed to be harmful. Soybeans contain notable amounts of lectins, phytates, and phytoestrogens, which are the main reasons for its prohibition in this dietary framework. The goal is to strip the diet down to what proponents consider the most bioavailable and least irritating food sources.
For example, studies on animal feed have shown that antinutrients in soy, like protease inhibitors, can negatively impact nutrient digestion and utilization. While the effects on humans are debated and often dependent on preparation methods, adherents to the animal-based diet choose to avoid the risk altogether. This is part of the diet's appeal for individuals looking for a minimalist approach to address digestive issues or chronic inflammation. The inclusion of soy, even in small amounts, would be seen as a compromise to these core principles.
Potential Issues with Phytoestrogens
Phytoestrogens are a specific point of contention regarding soy. Isoflavones in soy can weakly mimic estrogen, which raises concerns for some individuals about potential hormonal impacts. While the hormonal effects of moderate soy consumption are generally not a concern for the average person and have been linked to potential benefits like reduced cancer risk in some populations, the animal-based diet takes a precautionary stance. This view is that introducing any compound that could potentially disrupt hormonal balance is contrary to the optimization of health and hormonal function, a key tenet of the animal-based movement. This conservative approach is a major distinction from many plant-inclusive diets that view soy as a healthy and beneficial food.
