I have added edamame to my family's diet after reading Dr Hyman's books. I am currently reading Michael Pollan's In Defense of Food. He makes the point (p. 175 of the paperback version) that "The soybean itself is a notably inauspicious staple food; it contains a whole assortment of "antinutrients-- compounds that actually block the body's absorption of vitamins and minerals...." He makes the point that fermented soy (tofu) is ok which Dr Hyman also suggests. My question: is it harmful to eat steamed edamame regularly and cooked soybeans from a can?

I am by no way a medical anything.  I am just a mother of 3 who has observed my boyfriends daughter being brought up vegetarian from day one.  I have known her for 6 years.  She is very healthy as far as getting colds or the flu.   In fact I have never seen her have a cold.  She is now 10 years old and developed well beyond her classmates.  She started wearing a bra at 9!  I feel so strongly that this is due to the soy she consumes.  Vanilla soymilk, soy bacon, soy sausage, soy cheese..etc.   I have no facts to back it, just my gut.  She does not eat a 'balanced' vegetarian diet.  I worry about her as she is so developed and I'm afraid it is due to the hormones in these soy products. 

I am all for a vegetarian diet, but my intuition says its OK to eat soy, but like anything else...in moderation and organic (with no hormones). 

 Good luck and good health..