For some women going through menopause, a diet containing phytoestrogens may help to relieve some symptoms of menopause. Try out this tasty, phytoestrogen-rich bread.
- B Breakfast
- L/D Lunch/Dinner
- DF Dairy free
- Ve Vegan
- VG Vegetarian
- S/S Sides/Snacks
- MP Menopause
- Prep time 15 mins
- Cook Time 60 mins
- Serves 5
- Difficulty easy
Method
- Preheat oven to 180°C.
- In a bowl, combine all dry ingredients and chopped herbs. Set aside.
- In a separate large bowl, mash the tofu with a fork or, for a smoother consistency, use a food processor.
- Gradually add soy milk to tofu until smooth. If using lemon, now add the juice and zest.
- Stir through, then add dry ingredients, mix until combined.
- Place mix in a loaf tin lined with baking paper and press down with back of a spoon.
- Sprinkle extra seeds on top.
- Bake for 1 hour.
- Allow to sit for 5-10 minutes before turning out from tin.
- Slice into 10 pieces.
Serving suggestions
Serve fresh and warm, drizzled with olive oil, or as a bread topped with avocado and cheese or feta.
The sliced bread freezes well and can be toasted (after a day it starts to dry out just like fresh bread does).
Nutritional information
By Jean Hailes naturopath and herbalist Sandra Villella
Phytoestrogens (plant oestrogens) are substances that occur naturally in plants. Eating phytoestrogens can produce either some of the same effects as human oestrogen (oestrogenic effects) or opposite effects (anti-oestrogenic effects). Which effects are triggered depends on existing levels of oestrogen in the body, and how the phytoestrogens bind to oestrogen receptors in the body.
For some women going through menopause, a diet containing phytoestrogens may help to relieve some symptoms of menopause, such as hot flushes. Read more about phytoestrogens.
This bread contains phytoestrogens from a variety of sources. Soy bean isoflavones are one of the most well-researched phytoestrogens with the greatest potential for therapeutic effects. The bread also contains phytoestrogen-rich linseeds, as well as phytoestrogens from soy flour, if used instead of wheat or besan flour.
Soy protein aids cardiovascular health, as it helps to lower LDL cholesterol (the so-called 'bad' cholesterol). This recipe is high in vegetable protein. If using soy or besan flour, it makes a deliciously aromatic gluten-free alternative to bread.
