All soy-based products are made from soybeans. Soy is commonly used in milk substitutes, such as soy milk, soy cheese and other beverages. Soy is also used as a filler in many processed foods and in ethic dishes. A soy allergy can cause minor to severe symptoms within a few minutes of ingesting the food. If you're allergic to soy, the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital recommends avoiding all soybean-based products. Talk with your doctor if you develop symptoms after ingesting soy products.
Soy Allergy
A soy allergy is a hypersensitivity of the immune system to the proteins in the soy. Soy is considered one of the most common foods that cause an allergic reaction, according to MayoClinic.com. When you ingest soybeans, your body doesn't recognize the proteins as being safe so it unleashes an attack against them. The immune system creates immunoglobulin E, or IgE, antibodies to defend the body. This chemical reaction causes the body to create other chemicals that cause common soy symptoms, such as hives, nasal congestion and asthma.
Obvious Products
Soy by-products may be found in any pre-packaged food. Read all of the ingredients of any food before consuming it. Every food manufacturer is required by law to disclose the use of any soy in a product. Common foods that contain soy are soy sauce, miso, tamari, tempeh, tofu and vegetable broth. The Cleveland Clinic states that the following are ingredients that may contain soy: vegetable starch, soy protein, textured vegetable protein, hydrolyzed soy protein, vegetable gum, natural flavoring, artificial flavoring and plant proteins.
Other Products
Some products that contain soybean by-products may not be as obvious. The Lucile Packard Children's Hospital states that the following products should be avoided: coffee substitutes, instant coffee, hot chocolate mixes, fruit beverages, protein drinks, malt beverages, deli meat, pork link sausage, meat or cheese substitutes, cakes, cookies, hard candies and butter substitutes. Consult your doctor with any dietary concerns.
Considerations
Soy beans are considered a legume. If you're allergic to soy beans, you are at greater risk of developing an allergy to other legumes, such as peanuts, beans and licorice, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital. Your doctor may recommend allergy tests to determine which legumes you're allergic to and which ones to avoid. A soy allergy can lead to anaphylaxis, a severe allergic reaction. If you experience facial swelling, an increased heart rate or a sudden drop in blood pressure, call 911.
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