Soy

What is a Soy Allergy?
Soybeans are legumes, and many people are allergic to more than one type of legume.  Soy allergy is caused by an immune reaction against soy proteins.  Soy allergy results when antibodies against soy allergens are produced by the immune system.  The combination of the allergen and antibody produces a series of reactions and symptoms typical to an allergic reaction.

Symptoms
Allergy to soy protein has many features similar to those of cow’s milk protein allergy.  In infants, soy allergy can cause loose stools and diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal discomfort, irritability, crying, intestinal blood loss, anemia, and poor weight gain.  Other symptoms include coughing, wheezing, asthma, runny nose, hives, tissue swelling, and eczema.

Treatment
A totally soy-free diet is essential if an allergy to soy exists or is suspected.  If soy proteins in any form are consumed, it is likely that you would have an allergic reaction.  An anaphylactic (life-threatening) reaction to soy is extremely rare. 

If you have a soy allergy, you may also want to avoid other legumes such as navy beans, kidney beans, string beans, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, lentils, carob and licorice. 

How to read a Food Label for a Soy-Free Diet
Fortunately, a new food labeling law now requires food manufacturers to disclose in plain language whether products contain any of the top eight food allergens.  For your information, below is a list of foods containing soy.

Emulsifiers*
Lecithin*
Miso
Shoyu
Sobee
Soy
Soy albumin
Soy beans
Soy flour
Soy lecithin
Soy milk
Soy nuts
Soy oil
Soy protein
Soy protein isolate
Soy sauce
Soy sprouts
Soy-based infant formulas
Soya
Stabilizers*
Tempeh
Tofu
Unspecified sprouts*
Vegetable broth*
Vegetable gum*
Vegetable oil*
Vegetable paste*
Vegetable protein*
Vegetable shortening*
Vegetable starch*
Textured vegetable protein (TVP)*
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)*
Hydrolyzed plant protein (HPP)*

*These items may not contain soy, but the source is seldom listed on a food label.

Shopping tips

• It is absolutely necessary to read all food labels
• Do not buy any product whose ingredients are not listed on the package
• For information about questionable products, write or telephone the manufacturer
• Be aware that pet foods often contain soy.  Keep away from children to prevent accidental ingestion.
• Some cosmetics contain soy oil and should be avoided

Click here for Health Notes information on a soy-free diet.