Veg*n Help, allergic to soy.

[Ibbet]

Hello all, I need help with becoming a vegetarian. I have been one 3 times and each time I get sick. I found out it is because I am allergic to soy, I can have it occasionally but not too much too often. For that reason my parents don't want me to become one again but it honestly hurts my heart every single time I eat meat. I feel horrible. Do any of you have any tips for becoming a vegetarian without much/any soy? Also other things you could use?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Cogni]

Rice and beans; lentils. My husband has been a vegetarian since the 70s. We were poor in graduate school in the 80s and I learned many ethnic recipes made with legumes and pulses, which are the technical names for the above. We couldn't afford any meat then and soy was not widespread; I don't think I had any soy until the 90s. But with fresh fruits and vegetables, and a small amount of dairy, we were always healthy. I still don't cook meat at home but I do like a little now and again (not beef though). I do without meat for long periods, until I'm in a country where it is difficult not to eat some. The trick is to learn some good peasant cooking from around the world so that your meals are really nice and fragrant with spices and rib-sticking.

 

[JD In Van]

If you're willing to continue to drink milk and consume dairy you should be able to manage it. I don't like soy and I was still a veg for years. I would highly recommend you speak to a dietician.

 

[akstrohm]

Nuts are a good source of protein too. They're great on cereal, ice cream, yogurt, salads, etc.

You can also do a google search for: "no soy" vegetarian. Lots of results come up, just be sure to put the "no soy" part in quotes.

 

[Ibbet]

Thanks all who have responded so far.
I have been searching vegetarian soy alternatives and have found quite a few of them and am still searching. My mom agreed to let me try the alternatives, starting next week when she has the chance to get the stuff.

JD In Van: I am willing drink dairy as I am not allowed to become a vegan (yet) but I am also lactose-intolerant and must take pills whenever I drink/eat it.

 

[Cogni]

JD In Van: I am willing drink dairy as I am not allowed to become a vegan (yet) but I am also lactose-intolerant and must take pills whenever I drink/eat it.

Yogurt is often tolerated by lactose intolerant people. The "yeastie-beasties", as I call them, pre-digest the lactose. I make my own yogurt and my highly lactose-intolerant friend loves it--better and fresher than store-bought. Start with the freshest organic milk you can find, and you will love the taste of fresh, home-made yogurt. Another dairy product you might try is kefir. I have not made my own yet, and some people say store-bought is not real kefir, but making it at home is too much trouble for me, whereas making yogurt is dead easy if you have a candy thermometer. Google "making yogurt" and you will find a lot of instructions and videos on various ways to do it. Also eat a lot of greens for iron. I mean all the dark leafy green veggies. You'll need to if you're not eating meat.

 

[Ibbet]

Yogurt is often tolerated by lactose intolerant people. The "yeastie-beasties", as I call them, pre-digest the lactose. I make my own yogurt and my highly lactose-intolerant friend loves it--better and fresher than store-bought. Start with the freshest organic milk you can find, and you will love the taste of fresh, home-made yogurt. Another dairy product you might try is kefir. I have not made my own yet, and some people say store-bought is not real kefir, but making it at home is too much trouble for me, whereas making yogurt is dead easy if you have a candy thermometer. Google "making yogurt" and you will find a lot of instructions and videos on various ways to do it. Also eat a lot of greens for iron. I mean all the dark leafy green veggies. You'll need to if you're not eating meat.

Oh, that sounds good. I will definitely do that. Thank you. :cheerful:

I'm so excited right now, ha ha.

 

[ppqppq]

My son is a vegetarian for the past 2 years since he was 11. He does not eat soy and is lactose intolerant. He eats a wide variety of beans and lentils, organic free range eggs, and yogurt. He also eats cheese when he consumes some acidophilus capsules first to help with the digestion. It is very possible to have a healthy vegetarian diet without soy.

 

[JD In Van]

Lactose intolerance can be a symptom of other under laying health conditions. You should see your physician to make sure you're screened for these.

Prior to my diagnosis with celiac disease I couldn't tolerate anything but yogurt, since I was diagnosed and removed gluten from my diet I am able to consume any dairy product I want now. I know there's several other gastro-intestinal disorders that can cause similiar 'false lactose intolerance'.

Again, because you're young I still strongely implore you to see a dietician who will evaluate your current diet to ensure you're getting everything your body needs for your age.

 

[Ibbet]

Lactose intolerance can be a symptom of other under laying health conditions. You should see your physician to make sure you're screened for these.

Prior to my diagnosis with celiac disease I couldn't tolerate anything but yogurt, since I was diagnosed and removed gluten from my diet I am able to consume any dairy product I want now. I know there's several other gastro-intestinal disorders that can cause similiar 'false lactose intolerance'.

Again, because you're young I still strongely implore you to see a dietician who will evaluate your current diet to ensure you're getting everything your body needs for your age.

Hm, well I know I am just lactose intolerant but thank you for your help and I will definitely talk to my mom about seeing a dietitian.

 

[MyZoo2]

Actually, most people are intolerant of lactose in milk. It is a true allergy, but also a sign of how our milk is processed. People who are lactose intolerant usually do better on whole milk or they do sell a brand called Lactaid. Be very careful with soy milk alternatives, as sometimes they still contain soy. You will need to be very viligant reading the label. Most commonly used is almond or rice milk. However, if you really want to make sure you are getting pure almond milk, cashew milk, etc make it from scratch at home! If you google something like "homemade cashew milk" or "cashew milk recipe" you will find a good bundle of info.

Actually we just went soy free, and gluten free to help deal with some health issues I have.

So other things you have to look for are items like soy lechitin, soy oil, etc. You have to learn all the components that soy beans are derived into so you can read labels more easily. In my opinion if you don't understand the label, then you shouldn't probably be consuming it anyway.

You are welcome to PM me, and I can give you more info you want. We have already replaced a lot of our food with the soy-free versions, and there are a few books that might help you as well.

 

[Ibbet]

Actually, most people are intolerant of lactose in milk. It is a true allergy, but also a sign of how our milk is processed. People who are lactose intolerant usually do better on whole milk or they do sell a brand called Lactaid. Be very careful with soy milk alternatives, as sometimes they still contain soy. You will need to be very viligant reading the label. Most commonly used is almond or rice milk. However, if you really want to make sure you are getting pure almond milk, cashew milk, etc make it from scratch at home! If you google something like "homemade cashew milk" or "cashew milk recipe" you will find a good bundle of info.

Actually we just went soy free, and gluten free to help deal with some health issues I have.

So other things you have to look for are items like soy lechitin, soy oil, etc. You have to learn all the components that soy beans are derived into so you can read labels more easily. In my opinion if you don't understand the label, then you shouldn't probably be consuming it anyway.

You are welcome to PM me, and I can give you more info you want. We have already replaced a lot of our food with the soy-free versions, and there are a few books that might help you as well.

Wow, thank you. That really helps. What books would you recommend?
If I have any specific questions I will PM you, thanks.

 

[MyZoo2]

Wow, thank you. That really helps. What books would you recommend?
If I have any specific questions I will PM you, thanks.

I would recommend:

"Chill out & Get Healthy" by Aimee Raubb
It is a general health book, and is written by a chinese medicine practioner. She is very young, and the book isn't your usual staunt health book. She's very real, approachable. Would be a good book for someone your age, and you can apply many of her principles to your entire family. It sucks trying to do stuff on your own.

Also, since you are interested in becoming vegan. There is a very strict vegan book called "The Rave Diet." I am not personally vegan, nor veg'n, but I found a lot of his principles useful. Particularly the one you find the most useful is how he addresses a soy free vegan diet.

Just make one small change at a time, and see what happens. For example you can change your bread over now to a bread that is dairy free & soy free. And your chocolate chips for your cookies. Try baking with applesauce instead of butter. It's going to be way too hard if you try to do it all once, and your family will enjoy having something to share.

 

[Ibbet]

I would recommend:

"Chill out & Get Healthy" by Aimee Raubb
It is a general health book, and is written by a chinese medicine practioner. She is very young, and the book isn't your usual staunt health book. She's very real, approachable. Would be a good book for someone your age, and you can apply many of her principles to your entire family. It sucks trying to do stuff on your own.

Also, since you are interested in becoming vegan. There is a very strict vegan book called "The Rave Diet." I am not personally vegan, nor veg'n, but I found a lot of his principles useful. Particularly the one you find the most useful is how he addresses a soy free vegan diet.

Just make one small change at a time, and see what happens. For example you can change your bread over now to a bread that is dairy free & soy free. And your chocolate chips for your cookies. Try baking with applesauce instead of butter. It's going to be way too hard if you try to do it all once, and your family will enjoy having something to share.

I'll try to check both of those books out. You make a lot of sense and I'll be sure to try your tips. Thank you for taking the time to respond, it really helps a lot.