“Our typical Western diet is full of inflammatory fats – saturated fats, trans fats, too many omega-6, inflammatory, processed vegetable oils like soy and corn oils.”
~ Mark E. Hyman

Soy allergy is one of the more common food allergies, especially among babies and children. Allergic reactions are typically very mild such as rashes and fatigue, but can also be very severe like anaphylaxis. Even if the reaction is mild, your body is rejecting it, and it is still very important to avoid if you have an allergy or intolerance.

Having a soy allergy doesn’t just mean that you can’t eat edemame (soy beans) and soy sauce. Because of the fact that soy products are typically government subsidized, which makes it an inexpensive filler ingredient, soy can be found in many forms in all types of food. Soybean oil and soy lecithin are typically ingredients in many condiments, cereals, chips, and crackers. It can be in high protein energy bars, peanut butter, and infant formulas. Soy is also used in some canned meat and cheese products. Also, like gluten, soy can be found in many personal care products such as shampoos, lotions, and bubble bath. The best way to avoid soy is to read your product labels carefully and try to eat more minimally processed foods. Aside from avoiding ingredients that actually use the word “soy,” here is a list of other foods and ingredients to steer clear of:
Miso
Natto
Shoy
Tamari
Tempeh
Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
Tofu

As with any food allergy, it is important to speak with your healthcare practitioner to get it under control and to be sure it’s not something more serious.

Look for our post next week with a tasty soy-free recipe.

Have you had to deal with a soy allergy? Want to share your story? We would love to hear it! Leave a comment!

Thanks for visiting! We at Koru wish you wellness.