If you've been diagnosed with a soy allergy, it's more important to identify foods not to eat, than foods to eat. If you accidentally eat foods that contain soy, you could develop a severe allergic reaction that could potentially lead to death, according to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network. Soy is not always easy to identify because many different ingredients may have various names that don't specifically use the word, "soy." Talk with your doctor before modifying your diet to treat any medical condition.
Soy Allergy
Soy is a byproduct of soybeans, which is considered one of the most common food allergies. When you eat soy products, your immune system malfunctions and identifies the proteins in the soy as dangerous. The body reacts as if it was under attack and builds a defense with antibodies and histamine, according to the MayoClinic website. Antibodies are disease-fighting agents that attempt to ward off the soy proteins. Histamine is a hormone in the body that helps to prevent infection, but high levels of the chemical causes inflammation.
Symptoms
Symptoms vary from person to person from mild to severe reactions. Common symptoms that develop within a few minutes after ingesting soy include hives, eczema, itching, tingling in the mouth, dizziness, fainting, lightheadedness, wheezing, a runny nose, difficulty breathing, abdominal pain, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting and swelling in the face, lips or tongue, according to MayoClinic.
Foods to Avoid
Cleveland Clinic explains that soy is in the legume family, along with peanuts and beans. If you have a soy allergy, you may also be allergic to other legumes. Foods that should be avoided are soy nuts, soy flour, soybeans, soy sauce, tamari, vegetable broth, miso, tofu, soy protein, hydrolyzed plant proteins and textured vegetable protein. The Food and Drug Administration requires that all food manufactures disclose the use of soy on the product's package. Read the ingredients before eating any pre-packaged food and ask your server when eating out.
Foods to Eat
Eat foods that are not in the legume family and that are rich in vitamins and nutrients such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Eat pre-packaged foods that state they are soy and peanut free. According to the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, studies show that soybean oil may be safe to consume even if you have a soy allergy. Talk with your doctor before using soybean oil if you've been diagnosed with a soy allergy.
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