Living with a Soy Allergy
Soybeans have become a major part of processed food products in the United States. Avoiding products made with soybeans can be difficult. Soybeans alone are not a major food in the diet but, because they’re in so many products, eliminating all those foods can result in an unbalanced diet.
Symptoms of soy allergy are typically mild, although anaphylaxis is possible. Soybean allergy is one of the more common food allergies, especially among babies and children.
Keep in Mind
- Soybeans and soy products are found in baked foods, canned tuna, cereals, crackers, infant formula, sauces and soups.
- At least one brand of peanut butter lists soy on the label.
- Studies show that most soy-allergic individuals may safely eat soybean oil (not cold pressed, expeller pressed or extruded oil). If you are allergic to soy, ask your doctor whether or not you should avoid soy oil.
How to Read a Label for a Soy-Free Diet
All FDA-regulated manufactured food products that contain soy as an ingredient are required by U.S. law to list he word “soy” on the product label.
Avoid foods that contain soy or any of these ingredients:
Edamame
Miso
Natto
Shoyu
Soy (soy albumin, soy cheese, soy fiber, soy flour, soy grits, soy ice cream, soy milk, soy nuts, soy sprouts, soy yogurt)
Soya
Soybean (curd, granules)
Soy protein (concentrate, hydrolyzed, isolate)
Soy sauce
Tamari
Tempeh
Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
Tofu
Soy is sometimes found in the following:
Asian cuisine
Vegetable broth
Vegetable gum
Vegetable starch
Keep the following in mind:
- The FDA exempts highly refined soybean oil from being labeled as an allergen. Studies show most allergic can safely eat soy oil that has been highly refined (not cold pressed, expeller pressed, or extruded soybean oil).
- Most individuals allergic to soy can safely eat soy lecithin.
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