What is a soy allergy?
A soy allergy is an abnormal response of the body to the proteins found in soy.
Soybeans are a legume. Other foods in the legume family include navy, kidney, string, black, and pinto beans, plus chickpeas, lentils, carob, licorice, and peanuts.
- Sensitivity to peanuts is most common, but soybean sensitivity is also prevalent.
- Children are often sensitive to more than one legume.
Which foods and ingredients must a soy-allergic person watch out for?
Avoid foods with any of the following ingredients:
- hydrolyzed soy protein
- miso
- shoyo sauce
- soy flour
- soy grits
- soy nuts
- soy milk
- soy sprouts
- soy protein concentrate
- soy protein isolate
- soy sauce
- tempeh
- textured vegetable protein
- tofu
Other possible sources of soy or soy products include:
- flavorings
- hydrolyzed plant protein
- hydrolyzed vegetable protein
- natural flavoring
- vegetable broth
- vegetable gum
- vegetable starch
The following table gives guidelines about which foods are generally safe, and which should be avoided.
| Foods | Allowed | Not Allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Breads & Starches |
Breads, baked goods, cereals not containing soy ingredients Potato chips or popcorn cooked in soy oil Plain macaroni, rice, barley, rye, wheat, oats, or grains |
Breads, crackers, cakes, rolls, or pastries containing peanuts, peanut oil, soy flour Processed and "natural" cereals which contain soy ingredients Soy pasta |
| Vegetables | Fresh, frozen or canned vegetables (except those listed as not allowed) without sauces or breading containing soy ingredients |
Soy beans, soybean sprouts Any vegetables prepared with sauces or breading containing soy products |
| Fruit | All fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and juices processed without soy products | Fruit drink mixed or sauces/toppings for fruit which contain soy ingredients |
| Beverages |
Soft drinks Tea, coffee Fruit juice |
Soy-based formulas, coffee substitutes with soy, instant coffee, hot cocoa mixed, 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 which 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 which 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 Heinz® Worcestershire sauce, Lea & Perrins® sauce, fermented soybean pastes (miso and natto) Soy sauce, tamari sauce, granola, or breakfast bars made with soy Imitation bacon bits made with soy |
Soy Allergy | Programs & Services
Departments
Immunology
Department
The Division of Immunology treats asthma, allergies, immune system disorders, skin diseases, and rheumatologic and inflammatory conditions.
