Tofu is a product obtained by cessation of soy milk and pressing it into blocks like cheese.
Calcium sulfate and magnesium chloride (nigari) are used to make the tofu soft and keep its shape.
This type of tofu is very low in calories and a good source of protein.
It also contains all essential amino acids.
In addition to not containing trans fat and cholesterol, tofu is rich in unsaturated fats and helps to reduce bad cholesterol.
It is a good source of manganese, copper, and selenium.
It is helpful in relieving the symptoms of osteoarthritis and IBS with its anti-inflammatory feature. It also supports fat and carbohydrate metabolism.
Tofu is an effective nutrient in the improvement of skin lesions, hair, and nail health. Helps protect memory and brain health.
It has a risk-reducing effect on some types of cancer.
You can supplement your diet by adding tofu, which is a great source of plant-based protein, to a variety of recipes, such as vegan paneer.
Soft tofu Quick Nutrition Facts
Here's a quick nutrition overview for 3.5 ounces (100 grams) of soft tofu:
- Energy: 61 calories
- Carbs: 1.18 grams
- Sugar: 0.7 grams
- Fiber: 0.2 grams
- Protein: 7.17 grams
- Fat: 3.69 grams
- Saturated Fat: 0.533 grams
Jump to a section where you can learn more about soft tofu nutrition value, including macronutrients, vitamins, minerals, protein quality, and more.
Health Benefits of Soft Tofu
Thanks to a significant amount of specific vitamins and minerals, soft tofu could provide several health benefits.
Continue reading to discover the potential benefits of consuming soft tofu.
They May Improve Nerve Functions
Copper is needed for the optimal functioning of the nervous system. It can improve mood by regulating the balance of hormones in the brain.
It can also support nerve functions and improve the transmission of signals between different parts of the body.
Copper can keep the nerve cells healthy and reduce the risk of neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
It is also needed by the body for several functions, including the formation of red blood cells.
Copper can support the defense mechanisms of the immune system involved in infection prevention.
It also helps in the formation of collagen, a protein that makes up our skin, bones, and other tissues. It protects the cells from damage and improves the absorption of iron in the body, thereby increasing the availability of this vital nutrient.
Copper is also needed for regulating carbohydrate metabolism. It can help to convert sugar into a usable form of energy, thus ensuring the body receives a steady supply of fuel to perform its critical functions.
They May Help Relieve Symptoms of Osteoarthritis and IBS
Manganese can reduce inflammation and hence, can be useful as a potential therapeutic agent for the management of inflammatory disorders such as osteoarthritis and inflammatory bowel disease.
Manganese is a vital nutrient that helps in the formation of connective tissue, blood clotting factors, bones, and reproductive hormones.
It also supports the metabolism of fat and carbohydrate and enhances calcium absorption. It can help with blood sugar regulation, thereby improving glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
Manganese is also needed for normal nerve and brain function. When combined with other nutrients like calcium and zinc, manganese can support the bone formation processes and improve bone mineral density.
This is especially important for postmenopausal women and older men who are at a higher risk of osteoporosis due to the decline in bone mineral density.
Manganese is an integral part of the body’s antioxidant mechanisms. It helps in the synthesis of an enzyme called superoxide dismutase, which acts as a powerful antioxidant in the body and prevents oxidative stress linked to the high risk of cancer, autoimmune disorders, and diabetes.
May Improve Skin, Hair, and Nail Health
Selenium can improve the health of the skin, hair, and nail. It can support the healing of skin lesions and promote hair growth.
It can boost immune functions and reduce the risk of infections.
Selenium can also regulate the activities of the immune cells against allergens and irritants and, thus, prevent the symptoms of allergic diseases like asthma, dermatitis, and rhinitis.
It also plays a role in restoring healthy immune functions, thus preventing the development and progress of autoimmune disorders that occur when the immune cells fail to recognize the body’s tissues as their own and attack them.
Selenium can also support a healthy thyroid and prevent the occurrence of thyroid dysfunctions.
It may help to lower the risk of some forms of cancer.
This benefit of selenium could be attributed to its ability to reduce oxidative stress and DNA damage, boost the immune system, and destroy cancer cells.
Soft tofu Nutrition Facts
Continue reading to find out the following soft tofu nutrition information:
- Macronutrients
- Vitamin Content
- Mineral Content
- Amino Acid Profile
- Fat Breakdown
- Carbohydrate Breakdown
Macronutrients
Macronutrients, often called macros, are most commonly used term when it comes to eating a healthy diet or losing weight. There are three types of macronutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
Macronutrients provide energy to your body and allows it to function properly. The following table contains the information on soft tofu macronutrients, while reading further will give you a better understanding on each of these macronutrients.
Carbohydrate | 1.18 g | |
Protein | 7.17 g | |
Fat | 3.69 g |
Vitamin Content
Soft tofu are not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.
However, they contain a good amount of Vitamin B9 (Folate) and some Vitamin B1 (Thiamine).
Here's the full soft tofu vitamin content per 100g:
Vitamin A | 7 IU | |
Vitamin C | 0.2 mg | |
Vitamin D | 0 µg | |
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) | 0.047 mg | |
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) | 0.037 mg | |
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) | 0.535 mg | |
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid) | 0.051 mg | |
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine) | 0.052 mg | |
Vitamin B9 (Folate) | 44 µg | |
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin) | 0 µg | |
Vitamin E | 0.01 mg | |
Vitamin K | 2 µg |
Mineral Content
Soft tofu are not an excellent source of any particular vitamin.
However, they contain a good amount of Copper, Manganese, and Selenium and some Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, and Zinc.
Here's the full soft tofu mineral content per 100g:
Calcium | 111 mg | |
Copper | 0.157 mg | |
Fluoride | 0 mg | |
Iron | 1.11 mg | |
Magnesium | 27 mg | |
Manganese | 0.389 mg | |
Phosphorus | 92 mg | |
Potassium | 120 mg | |
Selenium | 8.9 μg | |
Sodium | 8 mg | |
Zinc | 0.64 mg |
Protein and Amino Acid Profile
Soft tofu contain 7.2 g of protein per 100 g, or in other words, soft tofu provide 11.75 g of protein per 100 kcal.
Similarly to most other plant proteins, protein in soft tofu contain all nine essential amino acids, however, they are a little bit low in methionine.
Histidine OK | 0.191 g | |
Isoleucine OK | 0.324 g | |
Leucine OK | 0.498 g | |
Lysine OK | 0.431 g | |
Methionine Low | 0.084 g | |
Phenylalanine OK | 0.319 g | |
Threonine OK | 0.268 g | |
Tryptophan OK | 0.102 g | |
Valine OK | 0.331 g |
Fat Breakdown
Around 54% of the calories in soft tofu are from fat. Soft tofu have 3.69 grams or 5% of recommended daily values per 100g.
Saturated fat and trans fat can increase cholesterol levels and increase the heart disease risk.
Soft tofu fat content mostly consists of healthy unsaturated fats.
According to FDA, dietary cholesterol should be kept below 300 mg per day. Luckily, soft tofu is cholesterol free.
Soft tofu do not contain trans fats. Trans fats should be kept as low as possible.
Total Fat | 3.69 g | |
Saturated Fat | 0.533 g | |
Monounsaturated Fat | do not have a %DV | 0.814 g |
Polyunsaturated Fat | do not have a %DV | 2.08 g |
Trans Fats | do not have a %DV | 0 g |
Cholesterol | 0 mg |
Carbohydrate Breakdown
8% of the calories in soft tofu come from carbohydrates.
Carbs in soft tofu are mostly sugars (59%), followed by starch and fiber.
When it comes to sugars, soft tofu are relatively low in sugar, containing grams of sugar per 100g.
Total Carbohydrate | 1.18 g | |
Dietary Fiber | 0.2 g | |
Sugars | 0.7 g |
Articles related to Soft tofu
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Soft tofu Nutrients, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service
https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/172449/nutrients -
Listing of vitamins, Harvard Health Publishing, Harvard Medical School
https://www.health.harvard.edu/staying-healthy/listing_of_vitamins/ -
Appendix 7. Nutritional goals for age-sex groups based on dietary reference intakes and Dietary Guidelines recommendations. (n.d.).
https://health.gov/dietaryguidelines/2015/guidelines/appendix-7/ -
International tables of glycemic index and glycemic load values 2021: a systematic review
https://academic.oup.com/ajcn/article/114/5/1625/6320814?login=false -
Health Claim Notification for Saturated Fat, Cholesterol, and Trans Fat, and Reduced Risk of Heart Disease
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/health-claim-notification-saturated-fat-cholesterol-and-trans-fat-and-reduced-risk-heart-disease -
Nutrient Recommendations: Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI), Food and Nutrition Board of the National Academies of Sciences Engineering, and Medicine
https://ods.od.nih.gov/HealthInformation/nutrientrecommendations.aspx -
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https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/43411/WHO_TRS_935_eng.pdf -
Nutrition Facts Labeling RDIs Nutrients, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.fda.gov/media/99069/download -
Nutrition Facts Labeling DRVs Food Components, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
https://www.fda.gov/media/99059/download