How do you eat with a soy allergy?

General guidelines for soy allergy

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.

Table of Contents Show

General guidelines for soy allergy
How to read a label for a soy-free diet
Other possible sources of soy or soy products
What can people with soy allergies eat?
Can you eat out with a soy allergy?
What foods is soy hidden in?
How do I overcome soy allergy?

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 their doctors 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" cereals that 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 fruit that 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 substitutes that 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

How to read a label for a soy-free diet

Avoid foods that contain any of these ingredients:

Hydrolyzed soy protein
Miso
Edamame
Natto
Soy albumin
Soy cheese
Soy fiber
Soy yogurt
Soy ice cream
Soy bean (curd, granules)
Shoyo sauce
Soy flour
Soy grits
Soy nuts
Soy milk
Soy sprouts
Soy protein concentrate
Soy protein isolate
Soy protein hydrolyzed
Soy sauce
Tamari
Tempeh
Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
Tofu

Other possible sources of soy or soy products

Asian cuisine
Flavorings
Hydrolyzed plant protein
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Natural flavoring
Vegetable broth
Vegetable gum
Vegetable starch
Flavorings may be soy-based
Vitamin E contains soybean oil
Hydrolyzed plant and hydrolyzed vegetable protein are likely to be 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 identify the 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, and people with allergies react to the protein portion of the food.

What can people with soy allergies eat?

General guidelines for soy allergy.

Can you eat out with a soy allergy?

Ask for Restaurant Recommendations Some restaurants even have allergy-free menus or allergy-free variations of their most popular foods. Compiling a list of soy-safe restaurants, which can include input from friends, family, or an allergist, is another excellent way to ensure safer dining outside the home.

What foods is soy hidden in?

Soy is especially tricky to avoid because it is often found in unexpected places such as in baked goods, cereals, crackers, infant formula, canned tuna, prepared meats (like sausage and lunch meats), sauces and soups. In fact, soy is found in an estimated 60% of processed foods!

How do I overcome soy allergy?

There is no cure for soy allergy. The best way to treat a soy allergy is by avoiding consumption of soy products. With severe allergic reactions, an epinephrine pen should be available at all times to alleviate anaphylaxis symptoms. Call 911 if life-threatening symptoms occur.