Soy can be hidden in many readily available foods. Food products are required by law to have any soy ingredients and allergens listed on the label. You may have an allergic reaction to a food that you did not know contains soy. It is important for you to be aware of which foods contain soy and which foods are prepared in facilities that process soy. Learn to read labels in order to be in control of your allergy.
Breads and Starches
Get in the habit of reading labels carefully. You should avoid any type of bread that contains soy or soy flour. Avoid crackers, cereals and rolls that contain any sort of soy product and list soy as an allergen. Although the bread you purchase may not contain soy, it might be baked in an oven in which soy-based products are made. The soy-based food can cross-contaminate the bread you purchase and may cause you to have an outbreak.
Fruits and Vegetables
You can enjoy most vegetables, but if you purchase canned or frozen veggies, check the label for allergens. Some canned foods are preserved with ingredients that will trigger a reaction from your soy allergy. Do not eat soybeans or soybean sprouts. You can also enjoy all fresh fruits. Be careful when you purchase frozen fruits, dried fruits, canned cocktails and juices. Check the label on all fruit products for any soy allergy information.
Meat, Cheese and Dairy
When purchasing meat products, soy allergens may be listed because of the way they are processed. For example, pork link sausage, hot dogs and deli meats usually contain soy to stretch the product's volume. Raw cuts of beef, poultry, pork and fish do not contain soy. Avoid tofu and bean curd since the foundation of these products is soy. You should also eliminate vegetable-based "meat substitutesm" such as veggie burgers, soy-vegetable crumbles or tempeh. Cheese substitutes also contain soy or are processed in an environment where they are exposed to soy.
Desserts, Beverages and Fats
Eliminate any desserts that are made with soy flour or are prepared in a facility that makes soy products. Be aware that some hard candies, caramels and nut candies are also harmful for your soy allergy. Some varieties of margarine and butter substitutes also contain soy. Your favorite salad dressing may also contain soy or have a soy allergen. Read the labels on salad dressings, mayonnaise, sauces and gravies. Soy is often hidden in these food items.
Additional Hidden Allergens
Learn to understand the hidden ingredients and chemicals that will also aggravate your soy allergy. Check food labels for ingredients such as lecithin, monodiglyceride, monosodium glutamate, or MSG, vegetable oil, vitamin E, and Asian cuisine flavoring. These ingredients may cause you to have a reaction.
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