Just diagnosed with a soy allergy or intolerance?
Love Chinese food? Edamame? Well, there is hope folks!
This guide will help you navigate the often-complicated world of soy-free living to help you avoid those foods that contain soy.
Soy Allergies
Did you know that soy allergy is the most common allergy in infants and young children? I didn’t. The good news is that most of these children will grow out of their soy allergy by the time they are age ten years old. We found this to be true when our son developed a soy allergy as a 1-year-old and outgrow it by the time he was 8. For most, the reactions to soy can be mild but for some, they can be severe. If you have a severe reaction to soy be sure to see your physician to obtain an epinephrine auto-injector such as EpiPen®, Auvi-Q™, or Adrenaclick® and carry with you at all times.
Soybeans are a legume that has pods similar to beans, peas, lentils, and peanuts. Can I be allergic to peanuts if I’m allergic to soy? While there is a possibility you could be allergic to other pod type veggies, the possibility does not seem as great.
Whole soy like edamame, tempeh, and tofu are easy to recognize, and to avoid, soy is added to many foods so make sure you check those labels carefully. Some of these foods include baked goods, canned tuna and meat, cereals, cookies, crackers, high-protein energy bars and snacks, infant formulas, low-fat peanut butter, processed meats, sauces, and canned broths and soups.
Those with soy allergies need to be especially careful with Asian cuisine because the use of soy in Asian foods is high and there is a greater risk of cross-contamination. What about soybean oil? Studies show high refined soybean oil and soy lecithin can be safely eaten by most of those allergic to soy. Ask your doctor, whether it is safe for you to consume refined soy oil or soy lecithin.
I’ve included a printable list of these ingredients here. You can even print your list out and carry it with you to the store. Remember to read all labels carefully before using any product, even if it has been used safely in the past.
So, go ahead ….
Read those labels!
Know your avoid list!
Always tell your server about your allergies!
Look for hidden sources!
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Stay tuned for additional posts where I will explain where you may find hidden sources of dairy and how to substitute dairy when you are cooking.
Sources: FDA http://www.fda.gov/Food/ResourcesForYou/Consumers/ucm079311.htm; and FARE Food Allergy Research and Education.
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