20110917 - Nutritional balance of low-fat soymilk (2011)

[Data]

[<Normal page] [PEREZGONZALEZ Jose D (2011). Nutritional balance of low-fat soymilk (2011). Journal of Knowledge Advancement & Integration (ISSN 1177-4576), 2011, pages 124-126.]

Table of Contents

Low-fat soymilk BNI - 2011

International standards

Generalization potential

Low-fat soymilk BNI - 2011

Perezgonzalez re-assessed the nutritional balance of low-fat soymilk in 2011², following on the steps of a similar study done in 2008¹. Both data were collected as part of a research on the nutritional balance of milk and milk alternatives in New Zealand.

In 2011, low-fat soymilk has, on average, a nutritional balance of BNI 26.77s⁴, being particularly unbalanced towards excess of sugar. The average low-fat soymilk is also adequate in fat and fiber, low in saturated fat, high in protein and sodium, and low in carbohydrate. It also provides about 119mg of calcium per 100ml.

Illustration 1: Nutrition information (low-fat soymilk)

BNI	26.77s	0.00

Food, 100ml	2011	Ideal
Protein	2.9	2.1
Carbohydrate	4.6	5.7
Sugar	2.1	< 1.0
Fat	1.3	1.2
Saturated fat	0.2	< 0.5
Fiber	0.8	0.6
Sodium	0.059	< 0.042
Kcal	41.7	41.7
kJul	174.5	174.5

Illustration 2: Nutritional profile (low-fat soymilk)

55%
50%
45%		*
40%		*
35%		*
30%	*	*	*
25%	*	*	*
20%	*	*	*
15%	*	*	*
10%	*	*	*
5%	*	*	*	*
mid	p	c	f	fb
max		s	sf		na
5%		*	*		*
10%		*
15%		*
20%		*

ideal % = grey cells; actual % = asterisk (*)

International standards

Low-fat soymilk appears as slightly unbalanced according to international Recommended Dietary Intakes (RDIs), although it is very close to balance according to U.S. and Canada's standards, which allow for a higher content of sugars and fat.

Illustration 3: Nutritional balance across different RDIs

Low-fat soymilk	(diet)	26.77	46.77	0.47	26.40	18.76

Product 100ml	Company	BNI	WHO	US/CAN	AUS/NZ	UK
So Good essential	Sanitarium	14.20	33.71	1.62	14.29	11.53
Pams soy milk low fat	Pams	19.47	39.47	0.00	18.49	10.51
Vitasoy high fibre	Vitasoy	19.62	39.99	1.75	19.45	15.84
Signature Range organic soy lite	SR Brands	29.60	33.78	2.61	29.21	27.21
So Good lite (chilled)	Sanitarium	34.02	53.82	1.03	33.85	18.62
So Good lite (UHT)	Sanitarium	34.02	53.82	1.03	33.85	18.62
Vitasoy vitality	Vitasoy	35.81	55.81	5.09	25.42	12.59
Vitasoy Soy Milky lite	Vitasoy	42.76	62.76	4.04	32.17	16.17
So Natural light	Freedom Foods	52.79	72.79	5.34	42.01	26.01
Vitasoy light	Vitasoy	55.73	69.12	25.41	55.38	53.94
(Source: Perezgonzalez, 2011a²)

Correlations between indexes are positive, and tend be high between pairs of international indexes, except, perhaps, for the US/CAN index.

Illustration 4: Correlations between RDIs
(n=10)	BNI	WHO	US/CAN	AUS/NZ
WHO	.932
(p)	.000
US/CAN	.684	.562
(p)	.029	.091
AUS/NZ	.935	.819	.779
(p)	.000	.004	.008
UK	.711	.504	.909	.872
(p)	.021	.137	.000	.001

Methods

Research approach

The original research was an exploratory study for describing the nutritional balance of milk alternatives in New Zealand in 2011. It was a follow up of a similar study done in 2008¹.

Sample

The initial research sample included 34 alternative milk products (ie, soymilk. ricemilk and oatmilk)². The food products were collected in a convenient manner, looking more for a variety of brands than a random sampling of the same. The results in this study simply describe the 'subsample' of low-fat soymilk products within the original sample: ie, 10 brands of low-fat soymilk.

Materials & analysis

Alternative milk products were purchased from local supermarket chains in Palmerston North, New Zealand. Nutrition information for each milk product was retrieved from the nutritional information panel on each item, to be assessed using the Balanced Nutrition Index™ (BNI™) technology (see Perezgonzalez, 2011b³). SPSS-v16 was used for variable computations, including BNI and international indexes, and statistical analysis, which included descriptives and correlations.

Generalization potential

Most of the products are made internationally, especially in Australia. Thus, the results of this study may be generalizable to the following populations (in order of decreasing generalization power):

Australia.
Internationally, if one assumes milk alternatives to be of approximately similar nutritional composition anywhere.

References

1. PEREZGONZALEZ Jose D (2008). Milk and milk alternatives in New Zealand in 2007-2008. The Balanced Nutrition Index (ISSN 1177-8849), 2011, issue 3. (Retrievable from http://www.lulu.com/BNI-INE).

2. PEREZGONZALEZ Jose D (2011a). Milking veggies. The Balanced Nutrition Index (ISSN 1177-8849), 2011, issue 5. (Retrievable from http://www.lulu.com/BNI-INE).

3. PEREZGONZALEZ Jose D (2011b). Balanced Nutrition Index™ (BNI™). Journal of Knowledge Advancement & Integration (ISSN 1177-4576), 2011, pages 20-21. Also retrievable from Wiki of Science.

+++ Footnotes +++

4. This is the dietBNI. The foodBNI is 34.02s, based on the sample's median.

Want to know more?

BNI™ database: The database offers individual nutrition analyses for foods, including those referred to in above article.
BNI™ journal (2011, issue 5) - Milking veggies: This issue of the Balanced Nutrition Index™ journal collates all BNI™ nutrition information for the original sample in a single book.
Wiki of Science - Balance Nutrition Index™ (BNI™): This Wiki of Science page offers more information about the BNI™ technology.