Your child is running late for school and he grabs a breakfast bar. It's better than nothing, and it's pretty healthy, anyway, right? It is if it's made from soy, according to a study published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition.

Researchers from the University of Kentucky found that study participants who ate soy based meal replacement bars and drinks had lower levels of LDL (bad) cholesterol and slightly lower blood sugar values than those who ate milk-based meal replacement foods and drinks. They also lost slightly more weight when the meal replacement products were used for weight loss.

While a diet of a variety of healthy, low fat foods is better than replacing meals with bars or drinks, the message about soy is clear - it may be a valuable tool in maintaining overall health. There are many options for incorporating soy into your diet. Some ideas:

• Use soy milk on cereal or in a fresh fruit smoothie
• Cut up chunks of tofu to add to a stir fry
• Sprinkle soy nuts on salad
• Use soy crumbles in chili, sloppy joes or spaghetti sauce
• Try soy cheese on pizza