 misakent
Living with allergies can be difficult, and being allergic to Soy/Dairy I know this first hand. So with the hopes of educating others, I have created a very informative blog with a focus on living soy and dairy free, while maintaining a healthy diet. I
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When I found out I had a soy allergy I quickly dismissed it as being easy to cut from my diet. I didn’t drink soy milk, eat soybeans, use soy sauce, or eat tofu, so how hard could it be. Man was I in for a wake-up call! Who would have guessed that soy was in nearly everything. I can only imagine whoever is sitting at the top of the soybean growers counsel is quite rich since soy appears to be in nearly every prepackaged, prepared, processed food found at the grocery store, not to mention its practically pushed by MD’s and nutritionists alike, as the next wonder food. Shocking considering it’s among one of the top eight food allergies, and depending on the person’s level of sensitivity can cause death. And if that doesn’t make soy difficult enough to avoid, it’s often not clearly stated on the label of the product. Eliminating the obvious, anything with the word soy in it, leaves you with quite a lengthy list of ingredients, which are partially or entirely derived from soy to look out for. I’ve listed a few of the common ones below.
Lecithin
Natural Flavors (may contain soy)
*I’ve never had a reaction to this one, so it may be in a few of the products I have listed as prepackaged soy replacement products.
Vegetable Oil / Vegetable Broth (usually 100% derived from soy)
Vegetable Shortening (usually derived from soy)
HVP (hydrolyzed vegetable protein, or simply put “Soy”)
HPP (Hydrolyzed Plant Protein)
Stabilizers
Xanthan Gum (soy is often the medium in which it is grown on)
Emulsifiers (soybean oil is one of the most frequently used)
Guar Gum, vegetable gum (may contain soy)
*I have never had a reaction to this one when listed as “Guar Gum” and for that it is in a few of the products I have listed as dairy/soy replacements. I would absolutely stay away from it if listed as “Vegetable Gum”!
Vitamin E: d-alpha tocopheral (usually derived from soybeans)
*I’ve been told by manufactures of products containing vitamin E derived from soybeans, that due to the process they use there should be no “soy” left in the product. Do not take that chance, I’ve tried some and got a reaction every time! I avoid any product containing vitamin E in the ingredients, be it an edible or topical product.
MSG
Mono-diglyceride
Protein
Because of this versatility, availability, and sheer abundance of supply, it has become the manufactures secret weapon; literally. So when most people become aware of this, full-blown panic becomes their first reaction at just the thought of having to remove soy from their diets. And can you blame them? The average American’s lifestyle has become so busy, and our priorities so distorted, that day-to-day health (our preventative maintenance) has taken a back seat to most anything else, giving way to the ever so popular fully prepared meal in a box, or as I like to call it “soy in a box”.
Is it possible then to avoid soy? Is it possible to avoid eliminating all the meals we love off our daily menu? Is it possible to, well, eat? Yes, it’s called eating healthy and eating smart. I’ve been doing it for over a year now, without having to eliminate one recipe from my favorite recipe book, and I’m healthier and feel better than I have in years.
For starters don’t look at a soy allergy as dietary weakness, but instead think of it as positive boost towards a healthier you. Don’t think of it as a menu restriction, but rather a menu shake-up. Think of it as the much needed excuse to close the door to all the bad eating habits that have caused obesity to be one of the fastest growing epidemics in the United States, and in turn opening your mind to brand new way of thinking about food. It’s not a bad thing to have to put a little more thought and effort into your meals. You can start by introducing yourself to a forgotten friend, the produce aisle. You are sure to lose weight, and improve your health by cutting out processed foods, prepackaged ready to eat meals, and fast food from your diet.
http://www.cookingallergyfree.blogspot.com
Living with allergies can be difficult, some harder than others. Being allergic to both soy and dairy, I know this first hand. So with the hopes of educating others, I have created a very informative blog with a focus on living soy and dairy free, while maintaining a healthy diet. My belief in natural healing and natural cures is the driving force behind my desire to be as healthy as I can be...body and mind.
