Eight foods, aka the Big 8, cause the majority of food allergies. Of those eight, peanuts, milk, and shellfish get a lot of attention, but soy is a major food allergy, especially among children, and is just as hard to avoid. In adults, soy has been associated with an immunological inflammatory condition called eosinophilic esophagitis which can cause chest pain and swallowing difficulties.
Different from a food sensitivity, a food allergy is an immune reaction that can cause rashes, hives, digestive issues, or sometimes even life-threatening anaphylaxis. Complete avoidance of a food allergen is the only way to prevent an allergic reaction.
Soy is a product of soybeans a legume native to East Asia and is found in many items like:
- Soy sauce
- Miso
- Non-dairy milk, yogurt, ice-cream, cheese
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Tamari
- Edamame
Additionally, there are other products that MAY contain soy like:
- Canned tuna
- Canned broth/soup
- Processed meats
- Vegetable oil
- Cereals
- Baked goods
According to Mayo Clinic, “besides ‘soy,’ ‘soya,’ and ‘soybeans,’ other words on food labels may indicate that the product contains soy, including:
- Glycine max
- Hydrolyzed vegetable protein (HVP)
- Hydrolyzed plant protein
- Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
- Monodiglyceride
- Monosodium glutamate (MSG)
- Artificial flavoring
- Natural flavoring”
Reading labels and tracking down ingredients can feel like a job for a detective. Rest assured that whether you have a soy allergy, soy sensitivity or just don’t like the taste of it, my soy-free, gluten-free, peanut-free and dairy-free products deliver all the taste you expect without a soy surprise.