The Challenges of a "Soy Free" Diet

Soy & Dairy Free Option
Sold at Whole Foods Market

I am breastfeeding my son and he appears to have a food sensitivity to dairy and soy.  Our pediatrician  has recommended that I avoid eating dairy, soy, eggs, peanuts and wheat for a few months to clear my system and then introduce one at a time and see how my son reacts to the food.  My first thoughts were "no dairy" oh wow that will be challenging.  That means no cheese (which also includes Pizza), Greek yogurt (our fridge was full) and butter (everything good has butter).   But soy...no problem.  I can easily eliminate soy. I will simply avoid eating edamame, soy sauce, and soy milk.  Little did I know "soy" existed in many of my daily food choices. 

I couldn't figure it out. My son was still showing signs of a food sensitivity and I've eliminated all dairy, soy, peanuts, and eggs.  At least I thought I had.  I was beginning to think that maybe it was wheat that my little man was having a reaction to. Every time I ate Sprouted 100% Whole Grain Ezekiel 4:9 bread from Trader Joes, my baby would have a reaction.  Why? I decided to read the ingredients and to my surprise it contained sprouted soybeans. It was then that I decided to look more into what actually contains soy.

Luckily most products that contain soy will specify that it contains soy due to the Food Allergen Labeling & Consumer Act of 2004 which requires food labeling manufacturers to list that a food product "contains soy".  The only reason soy may not be listed is if it contains soy bean oil or soy lecithin. 

I began to raid my cupboards and read labels.  To my surprise soy was present in my cereal bars, some breakfast cereals, bbq sauce, the dairy free Earth Balance butter substitute I was using, hamburger buns and other breads.  That's it!  I never officially eliminated soy from my diet.  That explains why my poor son is still showing signs of a food intolerance.  

As I continue to read food labels in search of products that contain dairy and soy, I am finding that eliminating processed foods is in my best interest.  It amazes me how many food products that we consume are processed.  Even our basic hamburger buns are made of preservatives.  I have a new found respect for those with food allergies.  Its definitely not easy!