U of I researcher develops power-packed soy breakf...( URBANA Breakfast of champions? That...)

URBANA Breakfast of champions? That would be a soy protein-packed, low-fat, high-fiber cereal that meets the requirements for three different FDA health claims and leaves you feeling full so you wont be tempted to eat again until lunch.

University of Illinois scientist Soo-Yeun Lee has cooked up a recipe for just such a cereal, one thats passed the taste test of her sensory panel.

There are lots of good reasons to eat soy--and even more reasons to consume soy protein at breakfast, said Soo-Yeun Lee, a U of I assistant professor of food science and human nutrition.

Research shows that soy decreases the risk of breast and prostate cancers and lowers cholesterol and triglycerides. Diets high in soy protein are also effective in combating obesity. Soy protein is very high-quality protein, and high-protein meals eaten early in the day stick with you so you eat less, she said.

Even though its important that people consume protein in the morning, the scientist said most breakfast foodscereals, muffins, wafflesare high in carbohydrates.

So why dont more breakfast foods contain soy?

If we incorporate too much soy in a product to increase its protein content, off-flavors and off-textures can develop, which may result in less consumer acceptance of the product, the researcher said.

Lee has accomplished a lot then in getting 10 grams of protein (6.5 grams of it soy protein) and 5 grams of fiber into one serving of a cereal that people find appealing. In doing so, she also met the requirements for the FDAs soy, high protein, and fiber health claims.

Other products have used soy as a fortifying ingredient rather than a major base ingredient, she said.

How does she know her soy-based cereals appeal to consumers" The researcher asked 120 people to take part in a sensory panel to evaluate her four formulationsboth unflavored and cinnamon-flavored cereals served with and without skim milk. A second
'/>"/>