Soy-free All-Natural Eggs From Pastured Hens

At Hidden Camp Farm, the hens are free to forage in the fields, to scratch in the dirt, and to nestle themselves in the shade on sunny days. While their diets are supplemented with minerals and grains, we take great care to serve them only the most natural, non-gmo & hormone free grains that never contain soy. 

Our hens arrive on the farm as pullets, and they will not have access to any soy products throughout their lives. These hens are skilled foragers that love roaming the pastures, in search of: grasses, seeds, insects, and worms. On days that are too cold for the hens to be outdoors, they are fed a mixture of all-natural grains that includes alfalfa meal, barley, wheat, flax and corn. None of these grains include GMOs.

For those that have an allergy to soy or may be soy sensitive, commercially farmed eggs pose an immediate risk. Soy contains a high amount of isoflavones, specifically a plant estrogen called phytoestrogen. Studies have found that phytoestrogen is present in the yolks of eggs from soy-fed hens. Many believe that phytoestrogen can contribute to hormone imbalances in humans, both male and female. Children are most susceptible to developmental issues, stemming from these hormone imbalances.  

Diets high in soy have been shown to reduce Vitamin D stores in both hens and humans. Not surprisingly, eggs from soy-fed hens have been shown to contain up to 6 times fewer the amount of Vitamin D, than eggs from pastured hens that did not have any soy in their diet. For those that are concerned about Vitamin D deficiency, it may be especially important to seek soy free eggs.  

We hope that you can continue enjoying our pastured, soy free, all-natural, brown eggs. 

Why We Say No To Soy

Often, soy is sought out as an alternative source of protein because of fears over fats and cholesterol and concerns about safety of animal foods produced by modern factory farming. Yet soy products are hard to digest and are to low in two essential amino acids to count as complete protein.

Soybeans are very high in physic acid, which binds to minerals, such as zinc, calcium and magnesium, and hinders their absorption . Soy also contains potent

enzymes inhibitors. The phytic acid and enzyme inhibitors in soy are not neutralized by ordinary soaking, only fermentation. Even worse, soy contains phytoestrogens – plant hormones which interfere with our own hormones and which depress thyroid function.

And in addition, most soybeans are commercially grown from GMO seed and are heavily sprayed – more reason to avoid them.

Consumers are also attracted to soy because of health claims made for it. The soy industry has lead people to believe that soy claims made for it. The soy industry has led people to believe that soy helps protects us from cancer, heart disease, osteoporosis and other health problems. They point out the supposedly good health of Asians and

credited their traditional soy dishes. What they fail to say is that Asian soy foods are the product of lengthy fermentation process, and that they are eaten in small amounts as condiments. Concerned researchers have exposed may unsettling fact about soy. It is to blame for many thyroid problems, intestinal disorders and allergic reactions and is believed to contribute to many other health problems, including cancer. Perhaps saddest of all is the damage done to babies when they are fed soy milk or soy formula.

Not only is soy lacking in important nutrients needed for good health and development, the extremely high levels of phytoestrogens from a steady diet of soy will cause an imbalance of hormones and cause problems in their development that can follow them for life.

Soy is used as soybean oil, soy flour, soy milk, soy lecithin, soy protein, etc., and is an ingredient in many commercially processed food, drinks, baby formulas and nutritional

supplements.

By Katie L Stoltzfus, author of

“Wholesome Home Cooking”