

It is a topic of great interest, fear and confusion all at once. SOY! Traditionally soy has been used in Asian and Japanese cultures as a condiment. Nowadays people include soy as the main part of their meal. Soy has also been added to so many commercial products including infant formulas, milks, cheese and other packaged products as a stabilizer or enhancer.
Unfortunately as a result of this people have developed allergies and intolerances to soy. It usually begins with the introduction of a soy-based formula. Soy allergies may develop when a child is switched to a soy-based formula after an allergic reaction to a milk-based formula.
Even though what causes the problem is unknown, there are some factors to be mindful of. The way that the soybean is grown, harvested, processed, stored and prepared in the kitchen can affect how allergenic it is. Raw soybeans are the most allergenic, while old-fashioned fermented products (miso, tempeh, natto, shoyu and tamari) are the least. Modern soy protein products processed by heat, pressure and chemical solvents lose some of their allergens, but not all.
People allergic to soy protein face constant danger. Hidden soy exists in thousands of foods, cosmetics and industrial products such as inks, cardboards, paints,
Here are some of the few low allergen types of soy that can be enjoyed in moderation if you choose. These are the types of soy that are traditionally used in ancient cultures and should be consumed as both organic and non GMO.
Tempeh: fermented soybean cake with a firm texture and nutty, mushroom-like flavor. Enjoy in stir fries, on sandwiches, ground up into “burgers” or just as is!
Miso: fermented soybean paste with a salty, almond butter-like texture. Make miso soup, put it in a salad dressing or marinate.
Natto: fermented soybeans with a sticky texture and strong, cheese-like flavor.
Tamari, Braggs or Nama Shoyu: Are traditionally made by fermenting soybeans, salt and enzymes. Tamari is the modern, healthy version of soy sauce. It is pure, gives great flavour, you can also get it as low sodium and wheat free! Great in salad dressings, sauces, marinades.
Edamame (whole soybeans) can be found on this list. They are not fermented, but they are also left in their natural form. Be sure to also buy these organic. They make an excellent snack with some sea salt! Or buy them shelled and load them into a salad or cooked vegetable dish!
Soy can easily be eliminated from the diet as well, especially when other nutrient rich foods such as beans, legumes, greens, nuts and seeds are consumed.
However if your looking for some alternatives to soy milks, cheeses and yogurt, choose from coconut based (yogurt), nut based (almond milk, cashew cheese), grain based (rice milk) and even traditional miso can be replaced with chickpea or barley miso.
Marni Wasserman is a culinary nutritionist in Toronto whose philosophy is stemmed around whole foods. Find out more at www.marniwasserman.com
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