Tofu is a favorite food for many, but is it better to eat it alone or to cook it in combination with other foods? Recently, experts believe that tofu should not go "single," but should find a "partner."
Nutritionists believe that the nutritional value of protein in food depends on the types, quantities, and proportions of the amino acids that make up the protein. If the amino acids in a protein are complete in variety, abundant in quantity, and well-proportioned, then the biological value of that food's protein is high, meaning its nutritional value is high. Otherwise, even if a food is high in protein content, its nutritional value is not high.
Although tofu is high in protein, its nutritional value is significantly reduced because the content of methionine, an essential amino acid for the human body, is low in its protein. How can we maximize its strengths and minimize its weaknesses? The solution is very simple: just cook tofu with other animal or plant foods. For example, adding various minced meats to tofu, or deep-frying tofu wrapped in eggs, can make fuller use of its rich protein content and enhance its nutritional level.
In addition, although tofu is rich in calcium, if eaten alone, the human body's absorption and utilization rate of calcium is quite low. If tofu is cooked with a food high in vitamin D, the absorption rate of calcium by the body can be increased by more than 20 times with the help of vitamin D. For instance, braised fish head with tofu. This dish is not only delicious but also a very scientific combination, because the vitamin D in the fish head can improve the body's absorption and utilization of calcium from the tofu.
Some experts also recommend pairing tofu with kelp or other seafood high in iodine. Because tofu contains a substance called saponin, although this substance can prevent the production of oxidized lipids that cause arteriosclerosis, it can also lead to the excretion of iodine from the body. Long-term consumption can easily lead to iodine deficiency. Therefore, cooking kelp and tofu together is a perfect combination, achieving the best of both worlds.