Sensitivity to peanuts (a legume) is more common, but soybean (also a legume) sensitivity is prevalent as well. If a person is sensitive to one legume they could be sensitive to another and some others are navy, kidney, string and pinto beans, chickpeas (garbanzo beans), lentils, and peas.
Soybeans are widely cultivated in the United States and many uses have been found for them in both food and non-food products. The food products are derived from extensive processing to produce a texture and appearance similar to conventional foods and are readily available in most supermarkets, check labels. READ LABELSto see if there is presence of soy because, ingredients in products may be changed by manufacturers without warning. Also remember to check ingredients in fast foods, like meat and buns.
| FOOD GROUPS | FOODS ALLOWED | FOODS to AVOID |
| Breads and Grains | breads, rolls, bagels, crackers, waffles, and pancakes NOT containing soy flour or soy milk; most hot cereals (oatmeal), dry cereals NOT containing soy | breads, rolls, hamburger and hot-dog buns, crackers, stuffing, pancakes, and waffles WITH soybean flour or milk; processed breakfast cereals; English muffins; granola and natural cereals; grits; cream of wheat |
| Starches | rice; potato; sweet potato; soy-free noodles and pasta; macaroni | soy-containing pasta; store bought pasta and rice in sauces; instant potatoes; canned and dry pizza mixes |
| Vegetables | All with exceptions | soy sprouts; canned and frozen vegetables in any sauce or breaded (Asian) |
| Fruits | All | fruits in commercial baked goods |
| Milk and milk products | Cow’s milk; cheese; yogurt | soy milk; coffee substitutes; non-dairy creamers; milk substitutes (like ProSobee, Isomil); soy cheese or yogurt; some processed cheeses |
| Meat and Meat products | beef, chicken, pork, turkey, and fish WITHOUT soy added; eggs; all nuts except soy nuts | meat (hamburger) extenders; tofu; veggie burgers, other frozen patties; lunch meats; hot-dogs; sausage; meat loaf; canned tuna in vegetable oil |
| Fats and Oils | butter | vegetable oil or sprays; margarine, mayonnaise, salad dressing; Crisco |
| Desserts and Sweets | homemade ice cream or candy, pastries, puddings, pies, cakes, doughnuts, frostings made WITHOUT soy; honey; jelly; jam; molasses; sugar | non-dairy whipped topping; commercially prepared cakes; dumplings; ice cream; ice cream cones; pies; puddings; pastries; frostings; doughnuts; sauces; cookies; creamy; gelatin desserts; Soya ice cream products; chocolate candy; gelatin, hard, or nut candy; fudge; pancake syrup; chocolate chips; semi-sweet chocolate; caramels |
| Snack foods | popcorn popped with corn or canola oil, rice cakes | pretzels; potato chips; corn chips |
| Seasonings and condiments | homemade salad dressing and mayonnaise; pure spices and seasonings; pure beef or chicken broth | soy sauce; Teriyaki sauce; some steak sauces; Worcestershire sauce; flavor enhancers; sandwich spreads |
| Beverages | Cow’s milk; coffee; tea; fruit juices; carbonated beverages; vegetable juices | coffee substitutes; drink mixes (like lemonades); beer; wine; vodka |
| Miscellaneous | homemade soup; noodle soups made WITH soy-free noodles | store bought soups; canned and dry mixes; noodle soups with soy; Tempe; Miso; soy nut butter (similar to peanut butter); some baby foods |
Some non-food products containing soybean:
oils
inks soap
crayons cosmetics
solvents resins
clothing plastics
bio-diesel
Remember to read labels. Items to look for on label are:
Vegetable broth Hydrolyzed soy protein
Vegetable gum Soy albumin Vegetable starch
Natural flavoring Hydrolyzed plant protein lecithin
Hydrolyzed vegetable protein
Textured vegetable protein (TVP)
For additional help and information go to: www.foodallergy.org The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network www.aaaai.org American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology