Soy Allergens: Foods to Avoid

Soy, and soy-related products, come from the soybean plant. Once thought to be a miracle food, scientists and consumers have found that soy products are not all they were thought to be. Many people have become allergic to soy or have an intolerance to soy products; soy is now listed as one of the top eight food allergens. This is especially disturbing because soy is in many processed foods. From bread to precooked meat, soy is included in just about every product. Those with allergies to soy need to read labels and dissect each ingredient to get through the soy product jungle.

History

• Soybeans have been used in Asian cultures for centuries. However, while Asian cultures use soy in their foods, they do so in limited quantities and only when the soybean is fermented (such as soy sauce or tofu), thereby eliminating the toxins that the soybean contains. Soybeans were also originally only fit for farm animals, not for human consumption.

Misconceptions

• Soybeans were thought to be a miracle food. Soy was easily cultivated in many parts of the world. It was used as a protein, in beauty products and made into oil.

  However, recent research has shown that using soy products has adverse effects on the thyroid, causes gastrointestinal problems and increases cancer risks.

  Soy is actually a phytoestrogen, which is a form of the female hormone, estrogen. The use of soy products has been linked to premature sexual development and even infertility.

Natural State

• The natural state of the soybean is called edamame. Edamame or baby soybeans are small, round and green.

Oils and Margarine

• The oil from the soybean plant is used widely in many different processed foods. Soy oil is inexpensive and therefore allows manufacturers to keep costs of processing foods down. Soybean oil, however, is not listed as such. Typically, it is listed on food labels as vegetable oil.

  Soybean oil or vegetable oil is used in potato chips, breads, frozen dinners, pastries and cereals. Margarine is also soy-based, because margarine is primarily soy oil.

Flour and Lecithin

• Soy flour is also incorporated in many baked products. Many commercially baked breads contain soy flour.

  Lecithin is a product of the soy plant. Virtually all breads and baked products, including cakes and pastries, use lecithin.

  Lecithin is also used in many beauty products. Shampoo, hand lotions, mascara, eyeliner and eyeshadow contain lecithin, or soy.

Sauce, Soup and Gravy

• Many commercially prepared sauces contain soy. Other than the obvious, soy sauce, other sauces include Worcestershire, teriyaki sauce, tamari and almost every salad dressing. Many brown-colored sauces contain soy sauce, so be certain to check the label carefully.

  Soups and stocks also contain soy. Soy oil (or vegetable oil), or soy proteins, are used in place of meats.

Meats and TSP

• Textured soy protein (TSP) can be found in many packaged products including soups, stews and frozen meals. TSP is a substitute for many meats and is commonly found in many of the meat-free, or vegetarian, foods.

  Cooked and sliced chicken that is prepackaged also contains soy. Many other prepackaged meats contain soy (usually as a flavor enhancer).