Soy is one of the things that vegans consume most of the time. They use it as an alternative to meat and a replacement for other meat-products. Hence, it is rich in protein that our body needs. But some people are allergic to it or have soy intolerance. Even with the given benefits, other people are afraid to eat too much soy. It may increase their chance of breast cancer and stop thyroid function. Further studies are needed to prove this to be true or not.
People who are allergic to soy cannot consume products or foods that contain soy. If you have a friend are a family member who has a soy allergy, it is best if you know some important facts about it.
1. It is most common in babies.
This type of allergy is common to infants, but it may also happen in teens and adults. It begins when the mother starts to switch the milk-based formula to a soy-based formula. If you think that your child is allergic to soy, go to an allergist. In order to know if your child has an allergy, there is a skin prick test or a blood test. However, if the test turns out to be positive, remove all soy-based products from your child’s diet.
If you want to avoid foods containing soy, it is best to check your child’s food labels. Soy can be hiding in some ingredients in the food without you knowing. Always double-check the labels. Avoid using utensils infected with soy. It still might cause an allergic reaction to your child.
2. Soy is a priority food allergen by Health Canada.
Health Canada is the country’s health department, and it focuses on maintaining and improving people’s health. Soy is on their list of priority allergens. The number of children with a soy allergy is 7,029 and 28,122 for adult Canadians. Canada commits itself to provide the citizens, information about their food. It is to keep the people safe from different allergens. They work with food industries to provide proper labeling of products. Allergy can be very dangerous, so Canada must do its best to protect its citizen’s welfare.
3. Soy allergy is different from legumes
If you are allergic to soy, it is still possible that you are not allergic to peanuts or other legumes. You can include peanuts or other legumes in your diet if your body does not overreact to it. Hence, it means it is safe for you to consume it even if you are allergic to soy.
4. You can outgrow soy allergy.
Did you try feeding your baby or child with soy milk? Then, you saw allergic reactions happening in your baby or child. Do not worry about it because your child may outgrow his/her soy allergy. But if not, it can also be a lifelong condition. It is good to ask for your doctor’s advice before you start to add soy to your child’s diet. Also, it does not mean that if you are an adult, it will be impossible for you to have a soy allergy. It can still happen later in life.
5. There are replacements for soy based-foods.
Do not lose hope if you have soy intolerance or an allergy. There are still other replacements for soy. If soy milk causes you to have a soy milk allergy, replace it with oat milk or dairy milk. Soy sauce is the most common condiments found in the kitchen. You can replace it with Liquid Aminos to achieve that soy sauce taste. Also, if you want a good protein source aside from soy, you can try using beans.
Tips for a Soy-free Diet
- Always look in the label for the words “contains soy.” Food labeling is part of every food product.
- Avoid food products that say “may contain soy” because there might be traces of soy products.
- If you are not sure if the product contains soy, you can ask the manufacturer about it. You can see their contact number in the packaging. It is better to be safe than sorry.
- Do not consume products that do not contain a clear list of ingredients. Some food labels are not right. It is good to become extra careful.
- When you are eating out, ask if they are using soy or soy-based products to make the food. It is also important to let the waiters know that you are allergic to soy. Soy milk allergy is caused by soy milk. You should avoid food that contains soy milk.
