If you're pregnant, it's fine to eat soya products, as long as they're part of a healthy, balanced diet. Soy or soya products include:
- soya drinks
- soy sauce
- yoghurt
- desserts
- tofu (a vegetable protein made from soya beans)
- soy vegetable oils
- miso (a paste made from fermented soy beans, used to make soups and sauces)
If you eat soya alternatives, check they have calcium added.
Phytoestrogens
Soya contains compounds called phytoestrogens that occur naturally in plants. For some groups of people, phytoestrogens may act as a weak form of the human hormone oestrogen and may produce weak biological effects.
Much research has been carried out to try to understand the dietary risks and benefits of phytoestrogens. Phytoestrogens have been linked to a lowered risk of osteoporosis, heart disease and menopausal symptoms. However, some phytoestrogens are also thought to disrupt the production of hormones and cause potentially harmful health effects.
Read more about having a healthy diet in pregnancy.
Further information:
Your health, your choices