The key to an allergy-free diet is to avoid all foods or products containing the food to which you are allergic. A soy allergy is an abnormal response of the body to the proteins found in soy. Soybeans are classified as a legume. Other foods in the legume family are navy, kidney, string, black and pinto beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), lentils, carob, licorice, and peanuts. Sensitivity to one legume can often be in association with sensitivity to another legume.
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 requires U.S. manufacturers of packaged food items to state clearly on the label if it contains soy or a soy-based ingredient.
| Foods | Allowed | Not allowed |
| Breads & starches | - Breads, baked goods, cereals not containing soy ingredients
- Potato chips or popcorn cooked in soy oil (Note: Most soy oil does not contain soy protein, which causes soy allergy, because the soy protein is removed during processing. Thus, soy oil generally does not cause allergy symptoms. However, those with soy allergies should check with theirdoctors about consuming products containing soy oil or processed with soy oil.)
- Plain macaroni, rice, barley, rye, wheat, oats, or grits
| - Breads, crackers, cakes, rolls, or pastries containing peanuts, peanut oil, soy flour
- Processed and "natural" cerealsthat contain soy ingredients
- Soy pasta
|
| Vegetables | - Fresh, frozen, or canned vegetables (except those listed as not allowed) without sauces or breading containing soy ingredients
| - Soybeans, soybean sprouts
- Any vegetables prepared with sauces or breading containing soy products
|
| Fruit | - All fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and juices processed without soy products
| - Fruit drink mixes, sauces or toppings for fruitthat contain soy ingredients
|
| Beverages | Soft drinks Tea,coffee Fruit juice | Soy-based formulas, coffee substitutes with soy, instant coffee, hot cocoa mixes, malt beverages, fruit drink mixes made with soy ingredients |
| Meat & meat substitutes | Any fresh or frozen beef, chicken, lamb, pork, turkey, veal, or fish served without prepackaged sauces, breading, or gravy | Pork link sausage, deli/luncheon meats made with soy Commercially prepared meats where soy is used as a meat extender Meat or cheese substitutesthat contain soy: tofu/bean curd, natto, miso Textured vegetable protein (TVP) |
| Milk & milk products | Milk, cheese, cottage cheese, or yogurt without soy products | Milk drinks or milk substitutes that contain soy |
| Soups & combination foods | Homemade soups and commercial soups that do not contain soybeans | Soy is used in many canned soups, commercial entrees, and combination foods |
| Desserts & sweets | Ice cream, gelatin, cookies made without soy ingredients | Baked goods, such as cakes or cookies,that contain soy flour Soy products may be used in some commercial ice creams and other frozen desserts Hard candies, nut candies, fudge, and caramels made with soy flour |
| Fats & oils | Butter, margarines, shortening | Margarine and butter substitutes Some salad dressings, mayonnaise, sauces, or gravies containing soy products Roasted soybeans or "soy nuts" |
| Condiments & miscellaneous | Sugar, honey, molasses, catsup, mustard, jelly, jam, plain sugar candies, syrup, pickles | Commercial vegetarian products and meat substitutes Some Worcestershire and other sauces, fermented soybean pastes (miso and natto) Soy sauce, tamari sauce, granola, or breakfast bars made with soy Imitation bacon bits made with soy |
Contact the manufacturer to identify the natural flavorings in foods. Ask if soy is used as a carrier protein for the natural flavoring.
Contact the company to identifythe vegetable broths, gums, and starches, as they have the potential to be soy.
Please note: The risk for an allergic reaction to soy lecithin and soy oils is low, but a reaction can occur. Studies show that most people who have an allergy to soy may eat products that contain soy lecithin and soy oils. This is because these substances are fat-based, andpeople with allergies react to the protein portion of the food.
FAQs
Avoid foods that contain any of these ingredients:
- Hydrolyzed soy protein.
- Miso.
- Edamame.
- Natto.
- Soy albumin.
- Soy cheese.
- Soy fiber.
- Soy yogurt.
Soy allergy can be successfully treated with oral immunotherapy (OIT). This is a safe and effective treatment for children and adults that gradually reduces allergic reactions to food allergens over time.
What happens if you have a soy allergy and eat soy? ›
A soy allergy is a type of food allergy that occurs when your immune system mistakenly triggers a defensive response to soy. This response — or allergic reaction — can cause various symptoms, including vomiting, stomach cramps, indigestion, diarrhea and, in severe cases, anaphylaxis.
Why are so many people allergic to soy? ›
Soy allergy is caused by your immune identifying certain soy proteins as harmful invaders. When your body comes in contact with soy, antibodies in your body recognize it as an invader and releases histamine and other chemicals in your bloodstream. These can create a range of allergic reactions.
Can you eat eggs if you have a soy allergy? ›
The results proved there was no trace of soy in the egg. Being soy free will no longer stand in your way of experiencing delicious eggs.
Can you eat peanut butter with soy allergy? ›
Ask your doctor about soy oil and lecithin.
Most people with soy allergies can handle highly refined soy oil. The same goes for soy lecithin, which is often used in chocolate candy, peanut butter, and margarine.
Can soy trigger inflammation? ›
The claim that soybean oil leads to inflammation is based on its high content of the omega-6 essential fatty acid, linoleic acid. However, research shows that neither soybean oil4 nor linoleic acid5 causes inflammation.
What antihistamine is good for soy allergy? ›
During a mild reaction
Take a non-drowsy antihistamine, such as loratadine (Claritin), as your doctor recommends. Be safe with medicines. Read and follow all instructions on the label.
What does a soy intolerance look like? ›
Symptoms of a soy allergy may be mild or severe, and can include: Hives, itching or eczema. Tingling sensation in the mouth. Swelling of lips, face, tongue, throat or other parts of the body.
Why you shouldn't eat soy everyday? ›
However, some worry about soy's potential downsides, including its GMO content, possible estrogen-like effects, and long-term influence on growth, digestion, sexual maturation, thyroid health, and breast cancer risk. Currently, few of these concerns are backed by strong science. However, more research is needed.
Milk and soy proteins must be eliminated from your diet. Be aware that it may take up to two weeks for the proteins already in your system to be eliminated.
Can you outgrow a soy allergy? ›
What Is Soy Allergy? Soy allergy is more common in infants and young children than in older children and approximately 0.4% of infants in the U.S. have soy allergy. Most children eventually outgrow their allergy to soy, although some individuals remain allergic to soy throughout their lives.
What percentage of Americans are allergic to soy? ›
Estimates of the prevalence of soy allergy range from 1 to 6 per 1,000 adults. The prevalence of food allergy is greater among children than adults, although recent data indicate that food allergies often begin in adulthood. As in adults, soy allergy prevalence among children is the lowest among the Big 8.
What foods should you avoid if you have a soy allergy? ›
If you have a soy allergy, you must avoid tofu and tempeh, which are found in most textured vegetable protein meat substitutes and many vegetarian convenience foods. Milk and eggs: Lacto-ovo-vegetarians use these as a rich source of protein and vitamin B-12.
How to flush food allergens out of your system? ›
If symptoms are severe, that means administering epinephrine. There is no way to flush food allergens out of your system. Rather, you need to avoid ingesting the food that triggers your allergy. And if severe symptoms occur, you need to treat the symptoms, with epinephrine.
What foods are high in soy? ›
Unfermented foods include – tofu, soymilk, edamame, soy nuts and sprouts, while fermented soy products include – miso, tempeh, natto and soy sauce. Some soy products are sources of calcium and iron – such as tofu or tempeh (made with a calcium coagulant) and calcium-fortified soy drinks.
Who should avoid soy? ›
People with kidney failure who use soy products might have blood levels of phytoestrogens become too high. If you have kidney failure, avoid taking large amounts of soy. Kidney stones: Soy products might increase the risk of kidney stones. Soy products contain large amounts of chemicals called oxalates.
Does mayonnaise have soy? ›
Mayonnaise: Almost all mayos are made from soy oil. You can find soy-free mayo in some grocery stores in the natural foods section and at most health food stores. However, most are made from canola or safflower oils and unfortunately these oils are also usually genetically modified.
