Soy Allergy Diet
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.
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 |
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Breads & starches |
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Vegetables |
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Fruit |
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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:
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Hydrolyzed soy protein
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Miso
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Edamame
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Natto
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Soy albumin
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Soy cheese
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Soy fiber
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Soy yogurt
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Soy ice cream
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Soy bean (curd, granules)
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Shoyo sauce
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Soy flour
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Soy grits
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Soy nuts
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Soy milk
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Soy sprouts
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Soy protein concentrate
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Soy protein isolate
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Soy protein hydrolyzed
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Soy sauce
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Tamari
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Tempeh
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Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
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Tofu
Other possible sources of soy or soy products
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Asian cuisine
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Flavorings
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Hydrolyzed plant protein
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Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
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Natural flavoring
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Vegetable broth
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Vegetable gum
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Vegetable starch
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Flavorings may be soy-based
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Vitamin E contains soybean oil
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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.