Yes, it's true. You may have noticed that I almost never use tofu or soy products in my recipes... or maybe you didn't, but I like to focus on on other sources of protein because I'm very sensitive to soy! You may not know you are allergic but here are some common symptoms:
*Bloated feeling after consumption
*Cramps and discomfort
*Gas
*Nausea
*Skin breaks out
*Cramps and discomfort
*Gas
*Nausea
*Skin breaks out
Keep in mind that some of these symptoms may not occur until the next day, so it's difficult to tell sometimes. I found out while working at a vegan restaurant for a few months. I thought something was seriously wrong with me because I've never been so uncomfortable in my body as in those three months.
I'm grateful for the experience now though because I can warn other people. It just happens that soooo many vegan restaurants and recipes use tofu, soy milk etc in almost all of their dishes. And of course, in order to get to know those dishes and be able to recommend things, I had to sample them.
People always seem shocked when I tell them this and inevitably say "What the hell do you eat then?? What's left??" Well the answer is that I eat all sorts of incredible, beautiful food! It's actually really great because you have to be way more creative with your dishes than simply relying on tofu to save the day. Here are just a few great sources of protein that I love to experiment with:
1. Coconut!!! I love love love coconut
2. Almonds (makes the best milk you will ever have recipe here!)
3. Cashews (the cream of creams is made with raw cashews!)
4. Peanut butter
5. Sun flower seeds
2. Almonds (makes the best milk you will ever have recipe here!)
3. Cashews (the cream of creams is made with raw cashews!)
4. Peanut butter
5. Sun flower seeds
6. Chick Peas! (I have trouble with some kinds of beans, but chick peas are fine for me)
7. Black Beans, Pinto Beans, Kidney Beans etc.
All of these things can be used in literally thousands of ways. Stay tuned and I'll how you how in coming articles.
Soy was traditionally used as a small part of meals but today it has become the it-word of the decade. Soy is used in everything from veggie burgers to cakes to salad dressings to face creams even. What the hell would soy add to your skin? Not much, but it sounds great doesn't it?
Anyway if you suspect you may be allergic or sensitive, try going without soy products for a week or two and then reintroduce it. If you have any adverse reactions you've got your answer. Don't be discouraged if you find out you are allergic, but you love tofu. Sometimes I indulge in a dish that I know is made with it. I just have to make sure I'm near a bed and a hot water bottle after I eat it. If you do choose to eat soy try to always buy organic. These crops are very heavily sprayed with the worst chemicals, and is not well regulated at all.
Here is a really good video about soy
I hope this helps :)
xoxo
Lyn
That's good that you found out! Food allergies are terrible- I'm severly allergic to dairy but I didn't know it until I went vegan. I don't cook with soy much either. Are you allergic to beans and other legumes too?
ReplyDeleteIm allergic to soy too!!! and ALL nuts (accept pine nuts and pistachios for some reason) and All legumes (peas, chic peas etc)
ReplyDeleteI seem to be doing fine :) it would make my life much easier if i wasnt but hey...i enjoy my food tremendously!
Hi Lyn! Thank for stopping by my blog the other day. I'm so glad you did because now I know about your wonderful blog. :-)
ReplyDeleteI ate soy in the past but not anymore and don't recall having any sort of allergic reaction. It is good you discovered soy was the source of your allergy.
People are funny asking you what do you eat (if not tofu), as if it was the last food stuff on the planet.