Beginner’s Guide to Soy
We hope that reading this Beginner’s Guide to Soy will help you better understand Soy Intolerance and Soy Allergy. We are also including many questions and answers that are often asked in our group about Soy and a helpful list that includes sneaky places that you should check for Soy and Derivatives of Soy.
Q. You have just discovered upon eating a food that contains soy, that you reacted to it by some of the following symptoms: brain fog, memory loss, anxiety attacks, panic attacks, rapid heart race, migraines/headaches, joint pain, inflammation, itching, insomnia, lethargy, muscle jerk movements, throat swelling, coughing, sneezing, rashes, hives, shortness of breath/trouble breathing, stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, constipation, or diarrhea. What do you do now?
Key definitions; these symptoms could be associated with, Dementia,Dementia with Lewy Bodies,Alzheimer's Disease,Vascular Dementia,Frontotemporal Dementia (FTD), Epilepsy,Multiple Sclerosis,Parkinson's disease,Fibromyalgia, and many different neurological diseases ether directly caused by soy or exasperated. As the person writing this I was in route to die from dementia in 2014, I'm one of many that beat the system. I hope you believe my story and try going soy free too, to see if soy is affecting you like it did me and many others. 2025 and we are still thriving.
The most accurate recommendation to see if you have an intolerance—or an allergy to Soy is to complete a total detox from Soy for 10 weeks . A detox means that you do your best to avoid all forms of soy—all derivatives of Soy, Soy Oil and Soy Lecithin for the entire 10 weeks. Then one at a time reintroduce each back into your diet for a minimum of 3 days to clarify which one(s) you react to of each food source. Depending on your severity you might want a professional nearby when re introducing or have an epi pen handy.
Q. What is the difference between a Soy Allergy and a Soy Intolerance?
A food allergy is more severe, is triggered by an immune system response, and even the smallest amount of food can trigger a range of symptoms. Your body makes antibodies that react to the protein in the food and attacks it. A food intolerance often only affects the digestive system and causes less symptoms.
Q. Can’t I just look for “Soy Free” on the package and be safe to eat the product?
No, “Soy Free” only refers to the regulated Soybean protein; the FDA, by Law, allows manufacturers to put “Soy Free” on the product even though there are many unregulated derivatives of Soy, Soybean Oil, and Soy Lecithin by different names that are still allowed in those products. This is the most common way our members get “Soy’d”. That means there are other ingredients that are made from Soy, Soy Oil, and Soy Lecithin that-legally-they allow in the product, even though it says “Soy Free”. (Not just food—also non-food items).
Q. How do I know it is safe to eat, or use, if the product says “Soy Free” and still can contain Derivatives?
The only way to be certain is checking the ingredients and knowing the Derivatives of Soy (we have a list in the group you can search for). There is also an App called FIG that allows you to scan your barcode at the grocery store for foods and it will show you your ingredients. It will allow you to put certain diets in the app, but is new to the Soy Allergy, so you still have to “know the Derivatives” that you are looking for.
You also have skinsafeproducts.com that will allow you to look at ingredients in non-food items. This option is free. Will also let you scan barcodes. Again, you cannot go by “Soy Free” ever, because that refers only to the regulated Soybean protein in Soy, not all of the Derivatives. However, it will allow you to click each ingredient and will let you know what they are, and sometimes where they are derived from!
You also have smart label.org which is another free resource to use. You can see all ingredients listed in a product and it makes it easy to contact the manufacturer directly—should you need to clarify the ingredients.
When in doubt, contact the Manufacturer and ask about what the ingredients are derived from and make sure to explain how intolerant or allergic you react to Soy—that way they understand.
Q. Why is it that I have a reaction to Soy, but when I drink milk or eat cheese I am also having the same reactions that I have with Soy? Am I also intolerant or allergic to dairy?
Great question!!! Soy can travel through animal feed into the isoflavones of the milk and if you consume a dairy product that was made from this milk—you are going to get “Soy’d”. The best way to avoid this is to drink only grass-fed finished fed milk (for example, Organic Valley Grassmilk) and eat cheese that is 100% organic and made from grass-fed finished fed cows. This means they weren’t given feed or supplements that contain soy. This also applies to whipping cream, sour cream, butter, ice cream, etc.
IF, you still are reacting, we would recommend doing a detox, and reintroducing the grass-fed finished fed dairy back to see if you are still having an issue with dairy. Then you will 100% know for certain, but MOST of the time, it is because you were consuming products with soy in them—without knowing it.
Also, know that the Soy can also pass into the meat of the animal as well. So if you are reacting to beef, you want to only eat the meat from grass-fed finished fed cows.
Q. How come I cannot eat eggs or chicken—after I went Soy Free? I react the same as I do with Soy.
This is the same thing as with the cows. The chickens often get fed either chicken feed that contains Soy, or supplements that do. There has been research that showed the Soy passes right through into the MEAT & BY-PRODUCTS of that animal. You want to find chickens that were fed Soy free.
Q. Can any meat bother me if animals were fed Soy or supplements?
Yes, it doesn’t matter what meat, or even, by-product you consume if the animal isn’t “grass-fed finished fed or completely Soy free fed” then we will react to it.
Q. Why does it bother me when I eat fresh vegetables/fruits at certain stores, since getting diagnosed with Soy Intolerance/Allergy?
There is a product called Apeel. It is a wax that is sprayed to the outside of fresh fruits and vegetables “to preserve freshness” and this wax is made from Soy Derivatives. It literally soaks into the meat of the vegetable/fruit and becomes part of it. Even though they state they are abiding by the FDA’s regulated Soy guidelines and not using regulated Soy—a lot of individuals still react to the lipids from Soy, and oils from Soy. Soybean Oil and Soy Lecithin are NOT required to be labeled AND are not recognized by the FDA, even though over 85,000,000 reported individuals have this Allergy and react to them in the USA. Apeel is really good at talking in circles and you have to read between the lines. Here is their website: www.Apeel.com. We recommend doing, at least, a 15-30 minute fruit and veggie soak with Distilled White Vinegar to remove the wax from your produce. Don’t worry—you cannot taste the vinegar at all! After soaking, just rinse with fresh water!
Q. I love eating chocolate and heard that Enjoy Life was a safe brand for me to eat, is this true?
No, Enjoy Life is not a safe brand for us to eat. They actually can contain Soy and/or Derivatives and have been known to have cross contamination in their products. The only consistently Soy Free chocolate that we have found so far is Pascha and 100% Hershey cocoa powder. That one has been tested and tried by the most sensitive of our members and is safe to use.
Q. Why have I switched my detergent, but I am still having a reaction to my bra, and panties/underwear?
Soy is an ingredient found in the elastic of bras, panties, and underwear. So if you have tried changing your detergent, fabric softener, and soap—it may be that you need an all cotton set.
Q. After removing foods that contain soy, why am I still having issues? Is it something else or am I missing something?
That can be a difficult answer, not to say it isn’t soy because it very likely is. You need to understand that soy has been in non foods such as paint, building materials, pretty much everything built up around us has some form of soy in it since the 1800s. And is not required to be listed. So a lot of confusion sets in. We have built a basic list to help you navigate below.
Another complex location is dental. It often can be the central source of complicated allergies that could be the start and or a constant reaction point from which your body is reacting negatively from. Root canal’s nerve root replacement is often blended with soy derivatives making life more complicated trying to avoid soy all the while it’s being constantly introduced to your body. Only options we know of is removal and if you can afford replacement with an implant. Even regular repair on teeth can come with issues with soy derivatives. We advise you to test the ingredients separately before letting them be implanted into your mouth. Bone grafting can be sourced from soy, please do your research. Even the numbing agents and teeth cleaning products need to be scrutinized.
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Places SOY & SOY DERIVATIVES Can Hide
Kitchen
Food
Juice Concentrates
Bacon (Nitrates can contain Soy)
All Milk, Ice Cream, Sour Cream, Butter, and Dairy need to be Grass Fed Finished Fed
Cheese needs to be made Organic from Grass Fed Finished Fed Cows
Eggs Need to be Soy Free Fed
K-Cups (the K-Cup container lid contains soy)
Tea Bags (MOST have glue that contain soy—have to verify the one you use)
Coffee Filters
Spices & Mixed Spices can contain anti-caking agents (better to buy single spices)
Cooking Oil
Dish Soap
Pam Cooking Spray
Sea salt (often unrefined, often produced with people walking through the process without proper equipment)
Bathroom
Toilet Paper
Hand Soap
Shampoo
Conditioner
Body Wash
Deodorant
Toothpaste
Mouth Rinse
Dental Floss
Razors (the Moisture Strip contains Soy)
Shaving Cream/Gel
Lotions
Perfumes/Cologne
Make-Up
Band-aids (the adhesive glue can contain soy)
Medicated Ointment/First Aid Ointment
Medication
Lining in Disposable Gloves (such as Nitrile Gloves)
Latex (gloves and paint) depends on the brand
Birth Control pills
Condoms
IUD’s - the estrogen and other ingredients used to make this item is often sourced from soy derivatives.
Living Room
Couches/Loveseats/Chairs/
Candles
Wax for Wax Warmers
Quilts (the batting material inside can be made with soy fillers)
Air Fresheners
Bedroom
Mattresses (the foam can contain Soy)
Quilts (batting can contain Soy fillers)
Pillows
Humidifier with ointment
Laundry
Elastic lining of bras/panties/underwear/clothes
Laundry Detergent
Laundry Pods can contain Soy also
Fabric Softener
Office
Copy Paper
Notebook Paper
Printer Ink
Copy Printer Ink
Ink Pens
Pencil Erasers (Pink Pencil Erasers are Derived from Soy-based gum)
Crayons
Colored Pencils
Markers
Watercolors
Artistic Paint
Glue (Elmer’s Glue Contains Soy Derivatives)
Modeling Clay/Playdough
Cushions in Computer Chairs
Library
Books
Magazines
Newspapers
Cleaning
Cleaning Supplies
Mopping Solutions
Dish Soap
Disposable Gloves (Soy can be in the lining)
Floor wax
Vehicle
Tires
Petroleum
Oil
Foam inside of Seats
Coating on Wires
Pets
Pet food
Litter box
Pet shampoo and conditioner
Building Supplies
Paint
Stain
Sheet Rock
Carpet
Dry Wall Tape (Adhesive can contain Soy)
Linoleum
Outdoors
Swimming Pools (The rubber liners in swimming pools contain Soy)
Suntan lotion will skim on the top of pools. Avoid public pools and water parks.
Insect repellent
Kids/Baby
Toys
Diapers
Wipes (usually vitamin E, etc.)
Baby Shampoo and Conditioner
Formula
Baby meds and supplements
Crayons
Playdough
Safe children glue
Stickers
Temp tattoos
Face paint
Water paints
Makeup
Perfumes (anything with a fragrance)
Vix vapor rub
Baby aspirin
Baby books (ink made from soy)
Baby Beds
Mattress
Blanket (soy fibers and ink)
Pillows
Other Names for SOY: could be hidden and sourced from these ingredients:
01. Anything Soya, Soja, Shoyo
02. Anything Lecithin
03. *Anything Vegetable, Plant, or Bean in name
04. *Anything with a Xantham or Zanthan (variations on different spellings)
05. *Anything with Vitamin E or Tocopherol (variations on spellings)
06. MSG mono sodium glutamate (please note that the terms “yeast extract and autolyzed yeast extract refer to natural and hidden sources of MSG without having to be labeled *MSG & MSG can be sourced from soy)
07. *Natural and Artificial Flavorings or just Natural Flavorings
08. Tofu
09. Miso
10. Tempeh
11. Edamame
12. *Mono-diglyceride (variations on spelling)
13. Natto
14. Okara or Akara
15. Yuba
16. *Glycerin/glycerine/vegetable glycerin
17. Tamari
18. *Teriyaki
19. *Isolates
20. Oleander
21.
22. *Bulking Agent
23. Carob (make sure this is 100% Carob)
24. *Emulsifier
25. *Protein(s)
26. *Protein extender
27. *Stabilizer
28. *Starch
29. *Thickener
30. *Textured Vegetable Protein
31. *Hydrolized Vegetable Protein
32. Alkyd Resin
33. Linseed Oil, Polymer with Pentaerythritol, Phthalic Anhydride, Oil, Styrene and Vinyltoluene
34. Soyaethyl Morpholinium Ethosulfate
35. Morpholinium Compounds
36. Ethyl Sulfates
37. Soyatrimonium Chloride
38. Quarternary Ammonium Compounds
39. Trimethylsoya
40. Alkyl Chlorides
41. Quarternium-9
42. PEG 5 (soy sterol) PEG 7 (soy sterol)
43. PEG 10 (soy sterol)
44. PEG 16 (soy sterol)
45. PEG 25 (soy sterol)
46. PEG 30 (soy sterol)
47. PEG 40 (soy sterol)
48. Stearic Acid/vegetable stearic acid or anything with stearic in the name
49. *Magnesium Stearate
50. *Tyramine
51. Abura-age (sliced deep-fried tofu)
52. Atsu-age (deep-fried tofu)
53. Gan-Modoki (a soy dumpling)
54. Glycine max
55. Kinako (Japanese for Soybean Flour)
56. *Kyodofu (freeze-dried bean curd)
57. Nimame (stewed soybeans)
58. Shoyu
59. Uno-Hana (soy pulp)
60. *Hydrolyzed Plant Protein
61. *Isolated Plant Protein
62. *Methylcellulose
63. *Monoglycerides
64. *Protein Filler
65. Caprylic Triglyceride
66. Monotriglyceride
67. Ascobyl Palmitate
68. Isostearyl Isosterate
69. Glycols
70. Tocotretrienols
71. *DATEM
*Means that soy isn’t always found in the ingredient every time you see it listed, so you have to check with manufacturer to see when it is sourced from soy, because it OFTEN IS. People will often STILL be sensitive and many have an allergic reaction due to a cross contact reaction to a similar allergy. You can read more about that at the following website:
https://mobil.bfr.bund.de/en/
Thanks to all the mods, admin and Jessica Davis helping us make Beginners to Soy from the Soy Allergy Board
Please check this post often for future updates.
Having trouble finding what you need? Consider trying an elimination diet. This method is often the most cost-effective way to identify your reactions to specific foods.