Even the Healthiest Tofu Can Be Harmful If Paired with These 4 Foods

Tofu is known as a delicious, wholesome, and nutrient-rich food. But when combined with the wrong ingredients, it can become a health hazard and lose much of its nutritional value.

Tofu is one of the most popular foods in Vietnamese households. Despite being affordable, it's rich in plant-based protein, calcium, iron, and a variety of vitamins and minerals. It offers numerous health benefits — boosting energy, supporting bones and joints, aiding weight loss, improving heart health, and enhancing digestion.

However, these benefits are only available when tofu is eaten properly. Especially, you should never combine tofu with the following four foods, as doing so can not only strip away its nutrients but also potentially harm your health:

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1. Tofu and Honey

The combination of tofu and honey is considered a major dietary taboo. When consumed together, they can trigger an unwanted chemical reaction that irritates the stomach and intestines.

This mix may lead to symptoms like nausea, diarrhea, or digestive discomfort. For those with sensitive digestion or young children, the effects can be more severe. To protect your gut, it’s best to avoid eating tofu and honey together.

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2. Tofu and Oxalate-Rich Vegetables

Certain vegetables like water spinach, spinach, kale, amaranth, watercress, and asparagus are high in oxalic acid. When oxalic acid binds with the calcium in tofu, it forms calcium oxalate, an insoluble compound that’s the primary component of kidney stones.

Regularly combining these two food types increases the risk of stone formation, which can be painful and damaging to kidney function. To safeguard your kidneys, either space out the intake of these foods or opt for other vegetables when eating tofu.

3. Tofu and Persimmons

Persimmons are rich in tannins and pectin. When these substances react with the protein and calcium in tofu, they can form indigestible precipitates in the stomach.

This combination can lead to bloating, indigestion, and abdominal pain. In large amounts, it may even block the intestines. Those with weak digestion or existing stomach problems should absolutely avoid this pairing to prevent further health issues.

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4. Tofu and Beef

Beef is high in protein and iron, while tofu is rich in calcium. However, eating them together is not ideal for nutrient absorption.

Beef contains a large amount of phosphoric acid, which reacts with the calcium in tofu to form calcium phosphate — an insoluble compound that’s difficult for the body to absorb.

Over time, this may lead to a calcium deficiency, which negatively impacts bone health — especially for those with higher calcium needs. To optimize nutrient absorption, it’s best to eat tofu and beef at separate times rather than in the same meal.

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In addition to these four combinations, other foods should also be eaten with caution when consuming tofu — such as soy milk (if excessive protein is consumed), egg yolks, fresh bamboo shoots, and goat meat.

Understanding how to properly combine foods allows you to maximize the health benefits of tofu and protect your body in the long run.