Hi J.,
I think like anything, we have to dig a little deeper & be educated about what were putting in & on our bodies. I had wanted to get off of cow milk so I switched to soy for a while but then found out that breast cancer survivors can't have any soy! I'm still learning & trying to make the best choices for my family. There are several books by Dr. John Lee that are helpful such as "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Breast Cancer". The article below is also a good starting point.
http://www.johnleemd.com/store/soy.html
Here's an excerpt:
All Soy is Not the Same
In the U.S., the soybean industry is filling our shelves with soy derivatives such as soy flour, textured soy protein, partially hydrogenated soybean oil, and soy protein isolate — none of which were part of the traditional Japanese diet. They are found in soy cheese, milk, margarine, vegetable oils, burgers and hot dogs, baby formula, and flour, to name just a few. These soy derivatives have become a major (often-unrecognized) ingredient in fast foods and prepackaged frozen meals. They should not be confused with the natural and fermented soy components of the traditional Japanese diet.
Many people with wheat allergies will use soy products as a substitute. Unfortunately, when soy is a major component of the diet, soy allergy can develop.
I hope that it is obvious at this point that soy milk is not a good staple food for children. The last thing a small but rapidly growing body needs is a hefty dose of phytoestrogens and enzymes that block protein and mineral absorption.