What is a soy allergy?
If your child has been diagnosed with a soy allergy, his immune system “over-reacts” when he eats or drinks soy protein. He may show signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, rashes, wheezing, or vomiting.
If your doctor thinks your child may have a life-threatening allergy, you should carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times.
What foods should my child avoid?
Your child shouldn’t eat any foods containing soy protein. Food containing soy must be labeled in one of two ways:
- Listing the word “soy” in the ingredient list, such as “Ingredients: Wheat, canola oil, soy,” OR
- Having an allergy statement at the end of the ingredient list, for example “Contains soy”
Reading ingredient labels is very important to make sure your child doesn’t eat anything containing soy.
Common foods containing soy protein are:
- Soya sauce
- Tofu
- Tempeh
- Edamame or soy nuts
- Vegetarian foods like veggie burgers or veggie hot dogs
- Soy milk or soy formula
- Texured vegetable protein (TVP)
Important points about soy oil and soy lecithin:
Soy lecithin is a very popular ingredient in processed foods like granola bars and crackers. Products with soy lecithin need to have a “Contains soy” statement, however soy lecithin is usually safe for people allergic to soy. Your child’s allergist can tell you if your child needs to avoid soy lecithin.
Processed foods often contain a highly refined soy oil and do not need to be labeled with “Contains soy”, since there is no soy protein left in this oil. If you encounter a crude, extruded, or cold-pressed soy oil, it likely contains soy protein and should be avoided.
What nutrients do I need to worry about?
In general, children following a soy-free diet are not at risk for major nutrient deficiencies. Some children who avoid processed foods containing soy lecithin and soy oil don’t get enough calories. If your child is vegetarian, you need to make sure his protein intake is adequate without soy-containing meat replacements.
If your child also follows a milk-free diet, you should monitor his calcium and vitamin D intake to make sure he’s getting enough.
Need more helpful advice on how to implement a nutritional plan for your child who has soy allergy? Feel free to contact us!