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Welcome to the Soy Free Group website.
Soy is one of the most common reactive foods. Approximately 1 in 200 individuals (0.5%) in Australia are affected by soya ingredients. Due to a great deal of use, it is found in a large amount of processed foods (approximately 50-60%) and is now required by the Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) to be declared as such on ingredient lists (as of 2003) either in a contains statement or as a source in the product ingredients.
For individuals allergic or sensitive to soy and soy products, finding alternatives has never been easy. This is not only due to the abundance of soy products in much of today's foods but also due to very little awareness amongst some general public as to what contains soy.
Today, soy finds itself into many of our processed foods. These include the well known (amongst general public)...
Soy Sauce (Shoyu, Tamari)
Tofu (bean curd)
Soy Milk
Edamame
Tempeh
Miso
Natto
+ variety of asian condiments
...the less well known, but high in soy ingredients (amongst general public)...
Pre-baked products (almost all of these varieties contain soy flour)
Bread
Burger Buns
Baguettes
Croissants
Pies
Sausage Rolls
Donuts
Pizza Bases
Bread Mixes
Hot Dogs
Vegetarian Options
Gluten/Dairy Free bread alternatives (many of which contain soy)
Non-dairy milk/ice cream/chocolate
Soup
Stock
Gravy
Flavoured Potato Chips (generally use HVP/flavour derived from soy)
Processed Small goods (manufactured turkey, chicken, kabana, etc.)
Ready-Meals (many will contain soy protein as a binding agent)
High Protein Breakfast Cereal
Salad Dressing
...the unexpected (amongst most of the general public, where many foods contain soy at "trace level" i.e. (soy lecithin, soybean oil)*)...
Vegetable Oil (ingredient statement will likely mention soy)
Canola Oil Cooking Spray (these contain soya lecithin/322(soy))
Vegetable Shortening (most will contain either soy lecithin/soy oil)
Margarine (most margarine contains soy lecithin)
Cakes/Cake Mixes (most contain soy lecithin)
Ice Cream Cones (most contain soy lecithin)
Cookies (most contain soy lecithin)
Chewing Gum (just about all contain soy lecithin)
Chewing Gum (just about all contain soy lecithin)
Carob Confectionery (usually contains soy lecithin)
Chocolate Confectionery (all other than some extra dark varieties)
Cereal Bars (many contain soy lecithin/protein as a binding agent)
Whilst this list may serve as a wakeup call to some individuals, its abundance in foods is a fact of life. Because soy has only been extensively used in our processed foods for less than a century, many do not realise how difficult finding a soy free option can be. Below is a list of alternatives, most of which generally do not contain soy. Remember, however, to always check the ingredient listing on every product.
Pancake mixes and shakes (some contain soy flour so take care)
Regular Breakfast Cereal with Milk
Gummi Confectionery (snakes, gumi bears, mallow, liquorice, etc)
Plain Chips (original Smiths Crisps, Grain Waves, Doritos etc.)
Olive Oil Spray (some may contain soy-derived lecithin)
Ice Cream
Pavlova
Meringues
Bacon
Ham
Salami
Classic Mayonnaise/Canola Mayonnaise
Regular Yoghurt
Tortillas/Mountain Bread/Flat Bread, etc.
There are many soy free products out there, however it does take time to find out what alternatives may exist. Once you're familiar with items that generally do and don't contain soy, shopping is a much easier task.
* There have been many significant studies which show that soy emulsifiers and antioxidants may be exceptions, as these soy derivatives are so highly processed that little residual protein is present in these ingredients. As the protein is the substance to which an individual reacts, these ingredients have been suitable for some individuals with soy allergies and are often regarded as soy free despite originating from soy. It is recommended that extremely sensitive individuals are guided by their health professionals before making any decision regarding consumption of any soy ingredients.
DISCLAIMER: WHILST EVERY ATTEMPT HAS BEEN MADE BY THE SITE ADMINISTERING TEAM TO ENSURE ACCURACY OF DATA AND INFORMATION, USE OF THIS WEBSITE AND INFORMATION OBTAINED SHOULD NOT OVERRIDE MEDICAL OR HEALTH ADVICE GIVEN BY A MEDICAL PRACTITIONER OR DIETITIAN. ALL INFORMATION CONTAINED ON THIS WEBSITE IS SOURCED FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. THE SITE IS INTENDED TO BE HELPFUL IN MAKING LIFE EASIER FOR INDIVIDUALS WHO SUFFER FROM A CONDITION WHICH REQUIRES SOY AVOIDANCE. THE SITE IS NEITHER COMPLETE NOR COMPREHENSIVE AND WHILE WORK IS IN PROGRESS TO IMPROVE THIS FACILITY OVER TIME, YOUR COOPERATION AND UNDERSTANDING IS APPRECIATED. FOR FURTHER DETAILS, PLEASE CLICK HERE.
