Saturday, April 6, 2013

Adam: Is Miso Soup Relatively High in Iron?















Jess: Hey Adam, that is a good question. For a little Miso baseline...Miso soup is a japanese soup that is actually highly touted in Japan for its many health and nutritional benefits.  Miso, similarly to soy paste and tempeh is actually a type of fermented soy protein which has been more recently studied in western cultures throughout the 20th century due to their health benefits in r/t phytochemicals (1) and isoflavones (2). In 1999 the U.S. FDA actually approved the food label health claim in the prevention of coronary artery disease. (more info Jess The RD Nutrition Facts Panel/Health Claims)

So, is miso soup high in iron? For a health claim to be "high" indicates that the product must contain 20% of your dietary recommendation for a specific item.  The dietary recommendation for iron per the Food and Nutrition Board at the Institute of Medicine recommends...

    Infants and children
                                                    Younger than 6 months: 0.27 milligrams per day (mg/day)
7 months to 1 year: 11 mg/day
1 to 3 years: 7 mg/day
4 to 8 years: 10 mg/day

    Males
                                                                                9 to 13 years: 8 mg/day
14 to 18 years: 11 mg/day
Age 19 and older: 8 mg/day

    Females
                                                                              9 to 13 years: 8 mg/day
14 to 18 years: 15 mg/day
19 to 50 years: 18 mg/day
51 and older: 8 mg/day

    Unfortunately based on multiple nutrition label evaluations, miso soup is NOT a high iron food. It frequently ranges from 5-8% the recommended daily intake of iron.  Look at this list of the Top 10 Iron Rich Foods - WebMD for some high iron options.  A traditional miso soup recipe includes miso, vegetables and tofu. It is believed to be a detoxifying agent to potentially prevent cancers, digestive, and heart concerns. it is even believed to improve cognition and mental focus! So, although this item is frequently high in sodium (740-1100mg in 1 serving) it still has some positive health claims for an item to be consumed in moderation. Also, you will find many high iron foods would actually be a great accompaniment in your Miso soup to add a little nutritional bang EX: dark leafy greens, beans, iron rich grains. Continue reading below for sample nutritional evaluations and some RECIPES :)  Thank you Adam for your great question!


    MISO RECIPES

Miso Soup Recipe - Womens Health Magazine

Tbsp dried wakame
c water
packet (0.75 oz) dashi stock base (such as Dashi Moto)
Tbsp white miso 
12 oz package silken-firm tofu, drained and cut into cubes
1 c (about 3 oz) thinly sliced shiitake mushroom caps
1/4 c thinly sliced scallions
1/2 Tbsp low-sodium soy sauce

1. 
Soak wakame in warm water for 15 minutes or until fully rehydrated; drain.

2. In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add dashi packet; reduce heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes. Remove packet. 

3. Ladle a half cup of dashi into a small bowl; whisk in miso and set aside.

4. Stir tofu and mushrooms into pot; simmer for 2 minutes. Stir in miso mixture, top with scallions and soy sauce, and serve immediately. 

Makes 4 servings.
 Per serving: 81 cal, 4 g fat (0.4 g sat), 349 mg sodium, 7 g carbs, 1 g fiber, 7 g protein

Wakame
A seaweed packed with the antioxidant compound fucoxanthin.
It can be tough, so use kitchen shears to cut it into smaller pieces.

Dashi
It's pretty much the chicken bouillon of Japan. Made from dried fish flakes and seaweed, dashi is what gives miso soup its signature subtle fish flavor and light amber color. Dashi comes in three forms, all of which can be used to whip up instant miso: powdered, liquid concentrate, and stuffed in a handy packet like the one used in the recipe above.

Miso Glazed Salmon: Good Housekeeping - Light and

 Healthy Cookbook
For another variation check
out the recipe at 
Little Bears Kitchen
Prep: 10 minutes  Broil: 10 minutes

1/4C White Miso
5 tsp sugar
4 tsp seasoned rice vinegar
3 tsp water
2 tsp minced, peeled fresh ginger
4 salmon steaks, 1in thick (6oz each)
1 green onion, thinly sliced diagonally

1. Preheat broiler, lightly spray rack in broiling pan with non stick cooking spray

2. in small bowl, mix miso, sugar, vinegar, water, and ginger: set aside

3. Place salmon steaks on rack in broiling pan. Place pan in broiler closest position to heat source: broil salmon 5 minutes. Remove pan from broiler and spread half of miso mixture on salmon: broil 1 minute longer.

4. Remove pan from broiler: turn salmon over and top with remaining miso mixture. Broil salmon until miso mixture is bubbly and salmon is opaque throughout, 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle with green onion before serving. makes 4 main dishes.

Each serving: about 260 calories (24% calories from fat), 35g protein, 13g cho, 7g total fat (1g saturated), 86mg cholesterol, 870mg sodium. 


References
Barnes, Stephen "Evolution of the Health Benefits of Soy Isoflavones" Experimental Biology and Medicine, March 1998, vol 217.3 386-396
Chao Wu Xiao "Health Effects of Soy Proteins and Isoflavones in Humans" The Journal of Nutrition June 2008 Vol 138 No. 6 1244-1249
www.myfitnesspal.com

Resources
Medline Plus - Iron for signs and symptoms of iron deficiency + general nutritional iron information.
Health Claims and Their Descriptors

1. Phytochemical 
A nonnutritive bioactive plant substance, such as a flavonoid or carotenoid, considered to have a beneficial effect on human health. 
2. Isoflavone 
           A flavonoid found in soy
3. Flavonoid - 
Any of a large group of phytonutrients that are water-soluble pigments, considered to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Also called bioflavonoid.


Information on Sodexo Workplace - Miso Soup www.myfitnesspal.com

  

Calories70Sodium1100 mg
Total Fat2 gPotassium110 mg
Saturated0 gTotal Carbs8 g
Polyunsaturated1 gDietary Fiber2 g
Monounsaturated0 gSugars2 g
Trans0 gProtein6 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Vitamin A9%Calcium5%
Vitamin C2%Iron6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.


Information on Kikkoman - Instant Tofu Miso Soup Soybean Paste With Tofu from www.myfitnesspal.com 

  

Calories35Sodium740 mg
Total Fat1 gPotassium0 mg
Saturated0 gTotal Carbs3 g
Polyunsaturated0 gDietary Fiber0 g
Monounsaturated0 gSugars0 g
Trans0 gProtein3 g
Cholesterol0 mg
Vitamin A0%Calcium2%
Vitamin C0%Iron6%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie need

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