Here’s Why Tofu Feta is Good for Adrenal Recovery

When your body is already experiencing several signs of adrenal fatigue, the best thing to do is find effective ways to reverse the symptoms as soon as possible. If you don’t, you would only end up feeling a lot worse. Even more concerning, you can find yourself at greater risk for a host of diseases including Grave’s disease, Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, fibrocystic breast disease, and breast cancer. The best way to avoid these and start recovery is by ensuring that the foods you take provide good nutritional support without further overworking any of your body’s functions. One of the foods that can do exactly this is tofu feta cheese. It’s a healthier and safer alternative to a lot of other readily available soy products today.

Soy and Adrenal Fatigue

Soy is one food item that is both good and bad for you if you are suffering from adrenal fatigue. This is because there are generally two types of soy products: the fermented and the non-fermented.

Non-fermented soy products include soy milk, soy protein powders, textured vegetable protein, and edamame. The problem with these foods is that non-fermented soybeans are known as an anti-nutrient. This is because they contain significant amounts of phytic acid, which would bind to minerals in the digestive tract and proceed to carry them out of the body. In fact, a study conducted by the University of Copenhagen and the Technical University of Denmark has found that phytic acid would strongly bind with metallic cations of calcium, iron, manganese, magnesium, potassium, and zinc. When this happens, they become insoluble and thus, their nutritional benefits become unavailable to the human body.

At the same time, phytic acid also reduces protein digestibility in the body. Because of this, body functions would have to work harder and essentially put further stress on your body while you’re already suffering from adrenal fatigue.

Adrenal fatigue is a condition that arises as a result of continuous exposure to stress. Typically, the body copes with stress by way of the NeuroEndoMetabolic (NEM) Stress Response system. This is composed of six key circuits, including the hormonal circuit where the adrenal glands play a key role.

When stress occurs, the adrenal glands respond by producing several hormones including cortisol, the body’s primary stress hormone. Cortisol then stimulates the thyroid gland to also function, which includes producing the thyroid hormone. The problem is, once you consume non-fermented soy, it also utilizes iodine which the thyroid needs to produce the thyroid hormone. This causes the thyroid to become overworked, which eventually causes the adrenal glands to become overworked as well. At some point, the adrenals would no longer be able to produce enough cortisol which causes significant hormonal imbalance in the body.

In contrast, fermented soy products such as miso, tempeh, shoyu, and tofu feta cheese do not stress the body out when eaten. At the same time, they are also a rich source of fiber, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that your body needs to fight off adrenal fatigue.

The Easiest Way to Make Tofu Feta

As you’ve just learned, fermented soy products such as tofu cheese are a much healthier option, especially if you are already dealing with adrenal fatigue. Even better, it is quite easy to make your own tofu cheese at home so that you can be sure that you always have some to include in your meals.

On the other hand, keep in mind that it is possible for you to have an allergy or intolerance to soy. If that is the case, you can end up experiencing symptoms such as tingling in the mouth, swelling in the lips, hives, itchy skin, rapid pulse, dizziness, shock, and difficulty breathing. To avoid these, it may be best to consult with your physician first before consuming any type of soy product. This way, he or she can first rule out any allergy or intolerance issues.

That said, here is a recipe for tofu feta cheese that you can easily try at home:

Tofu Feta Cheese

Ingredients A:

• 1 block extra-firm tofu, pressed and cut into small cubes

Ingredients B:

• 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
• 3 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• ½ teaspoon coarse salt

Method:

1. In a large bowl, combine all of ingredients B together and mix well.
2. Pour the mixture into ingredients A and transfer everything into a large jar.
3. Let everything marinate together for at least an hour. This can also stay marinating overnight.
4. Serve as is or include in a dish. Drizzle in some lemon juice onto the tofu cheese if you desire.

Tofu Feta Dishes for Adrenal Recovery

Now that you know how to make your very own tofu cheese at home, it’s time to discover what kind of simple and nutritious meals you can prepare with it to help you with adrenal recovery.

In fact, here is a recipe that you can readily try:

Strictly Vegan Greek Salad

Ingredients A:

• Tofu cheese
• 8 cups fresh lettuce
• 2 cups cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• ½ cup kalamata olives, chopped
• 1 can organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed

Ingredients B:

• 1 clove garlic, finely minced
• ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
• ⅓ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

1. Mix together ingredients B and set aside.
2. Place all of ingredients A in a large bowl and toss together well.
3. Drizzle in ingredients B mixture.
4. Serve immediately.

Tofu Cheese Salad Wrap

Ingredients A:

• 1 gluten-free wrap bread

Ingredients B:

• Tofu cheese
• 1 tomato, sliced
• 4 pieces romaine lettuce leaves

Ingredients C:

• ½ teaspoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar
• ½ teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon chives, chopped

Method:

1. Combine ingredients C together and mix well. Set aside.
2. Assemble ingredients B on ingredients A.
3. Drizzle in ingredients C mixture.
4. Roll the wrap and pack or eat immediately.

Roasted Chickpeas with Tofu Cheese

Ingredients A:

• Tofu cheese
• ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
• ¼ cup green onion, chopped

Ingredients B:

• 1 can organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 teaspoons garlic powder
• 2 teaspoons dried basil
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary, crushed
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Ingredients C:

• 1 cup fresh spinach with stems, roughly chopped
• 1 cup fresh chard with stems, roughly chopped
• ½ cup onion leeks, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons canola oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• Salt
• Pepper

Method:

1. Preheat your oven to 400°F.
2. Mix ingredients B together in a bowl before transferring to a lined baking pan.
3. Bake the chickpea mixture in the oven for around 22 to 27 minutes or until they become crispy and golden brown. Set aside.
4. In a heated skillet, sauté together ingredients C until the greens have become wilted.
5. When serving, place some of the cooked greens on a plate and top with the roasted chickpeas. Add in ingredients A and serve immediately.

As you can see, there are several ways that you can incorporate tofu feta cheese into your daily meals. In fact, you can make a big batch of tofu cheese during the weekend so that you would be able to enjoy it throughout the week. Moreover, you can also fold it into your breakfast omelet or even sprinkle it on top of your favorite stew. On the other hand, you can also add other different kinds of vegetables to your meals to make them tastier and healthier.

Without a doubt, adrenal fatigue recovery doesn’t have to feel like you’re stuck with the same kind of foods over and over again. Instead, you have a lot of healthy and tasty options such as tofu cheese. Choose healthier food options like this and in time, you won’t have to worry about adrenal fatigue any longer.