I have a friend considering going vegetarian, but shes allergic to nuts AND soy. what could she eat?

Question

This friend is considering going vegetarian [I already am] but she cant eat the substitues because she is allergic to soy, and she is allergic to nuts, wich are the main sources of protein minus eggs. Are there Any substitutes out there that dont contain soy/nut products?

This friend is considering going vegetarian [I already am] but she cant eat the substitues because she is allergic to soy, and she is allergic to nuts, wich are the main sources of protein minus eggs. Are there Any substitutes out there that dont contain soy/nut products?
*Please keep in mind that being 13 years old, its hard to access the things we need.
I also would like to note that there isnt any near by health food stores, just regular grocery stores. The nearest whole-foods is in toronto.


**I would like to thank everybody for their answers, I really appreciate it.
But, if you just cant handle the idea of being a vegetarian, dont answer my question telling us to eat meat.

Answer 1

Most people make a huge deal out of protien, did you know that most americans eat 5 times the amount of protien that thayer body needs? Amino acids are the bulding blocks of protien, there are 23 different amino acids and all are essential. 15 of those can be produced by the human body. 8 must be eaten in foods, all fruit, all veggies, sprouts, seeds, nuts, legumes all contain almost all of thee foods contain amino acids and most of them contain at least 6 of the eight your body needs in food, and a large portion of them contain all 8! Amino acids is what your body used to buld protien, every animal needs a certain amount of each kind of acid. How do you think powerfull animals like elephants, oxen, horses, gorillas get enough protien to grow so big and strong? well they certainly don't eat meat! horses, oxen and elephants don't even eat nuts or other protien rich plants, they eat almost 100% grass and a little bit of other plants bcause plants are rich in amino acids. Gorillas only eat 2% meat/insects and they don't even need them to live.

It is true your body can gain amino acids out of flesh foods, but it is a long hard digestion process, your body can't take chicken protien, cow protein, pig protien and imediatly make it into human protien because our protien is made with a different combonation of amino acids. so our body first has to break down each the animal protien cells, has to reverse it then take the amino acids the way your body wants them, protien is the most difficult kind of food to digest, and that is why, it takes more energy from your body than any other food.

A realy good book to learn about health is "Fit For Life"
it helps you become a vegetarian 1 step at a time, teaches you how to combine your food properly and much much more. It explanes the many myths about eating, and starts you on a program, teaches you how to eat a balanced diet if you eat meat or are vegetarian. If you eat food than its the book for you!

I have been vegetarian for 7 years and I feel awsome, I would NEVER turn back! I am learning to go vegan now.

Hope this helps and good luck!

Answer 2

I also have a nut allergy and a slight soy allergy. I control the soy allergy with medication and avoid nuts completely. If you look at a food pyramid, the legume, nut, seed, and meat alternative group is one of the smallest (2-3 servings). Also, foods like vegetables, rice, and beans have protein in them. Often meat eaters question a vegetarian's protein intake because they don't understand that meat is not the only source of protein. They also don't understand that they consume far too much meat to be healthy. I haven't eaten meat in about 8 years and my diet usually consists of salads, cooked and raw vegetables, pasta dishes, etc. Basically the same diet as anyone else, just without the meat. I don't need meat alternatives (although I do enjoy them occasionally). I have never been underweight or sick and I never worry about my protein intake. I have also found that most natural food stores have a section with soy and wheat free food products.

Answer 3

You most certainly can be a veggie w/ a soy allergy! People are worrying too much about protein. Meat-eaters actually have too much protein in their diets. You will get more than enough by eating a variety of whole grains, beans, fruit, vegetables and legumes. There are many amino acids in these foods (which are important for your body to build and use protein). The big difference is that these amino acids are much easier on your body than those found in meat and animal products. I guess I'm just saying - eat everything* but soy and you'll still be just fine! Good luck! *except meat, of course!

Answer 4

Protein isn't that hard, Dark green veggies and lettuces have some sometimes, lots of lentils, and no, not all beans are gross! Rice milk is often as easy to find as dairy, in your regular grocery stores, check out the healthy foods sections, there are lots of vegan/veggie choices. This can work for her. If there are any other questions, look at vegetariantimes.com in the recipe section, you can search based on ingredients, this way you could look for stuff without soy/nuts. This will take some research, but you can do it!

Answer 5

As long as she eats enough calories then she won't have a problem with protein.She can drink milk for protein also.

MYTH: "Vegetarians get little protein."

FACT: Plant foods offer abundant protein. Vegetables are around 23% protein on average, beans 28%, grains 13%, and even fruit has 5.5%. For comparison, human breast milk is only 5% (designed for the time in our lives when our protein needs are as high as they'll ever be). The US Recommended Daily Allowance is 8%, and the World Health Organization recommends 4.5%.

MYTH: "Beans are a good source of protein."

FACT: There is no such thing as a special "source of protein" because all foods -- even plants -- have plentiful protein. You might as well say "Food is a good source of protein". In any event, beans (28%) don't average much more protein per calorie than common vegetables (23%).

Answer 6

Yes she could easily still be a vegetarian no problem. I'm not allergic to soya but I do limit my intake, and I'm not too keen on nuts but I manage fine. Instead of soya mince she could use quinoa mince, which is very healthy and a fantastic source of protein. I use that for most of my main meals. She could also concentrate her meals around beans and lentils, and you can make hundreds of inventive dishes using those ingrediants. Tell her to use lots of different gains as well - as hey contain protein - millet, buckwheat, oats, rye are all good sources. Rice and almond milks are available so she won't have to use soya milk.
It would be best for her to get a recipe book that caters for veggies with allergies or restricted diets. I think if you go to www.vegansociety.com they sell a couple of books related to people who have problems with staple foods.
Good luck to her, let her know that this doesn't mean she can't be veggie as there are ALWAYS substitute foods around!

Answer 7

Try visiting a nearby health food store. There are some protein mixes that are whey based (so no soy involved). If you are talking about lacto-ovo style veg, she could still consume dairy or goat's milk products for example. If your friend consumes eggs, I would not worry about the protien issue. But there are other products that provide protien besides soy and nuts. Best of Luck!

Answer 8

Many people get along fine not eating "subsitutes". There are some of the products that use wheat.
I too am allergic to soy,add nuts, eggs, dairy, gulten
I putting up a website that is true Veggie with out all the man made junk.
I am doing a modified version of this groups diet with excellant success.
http://www.hacres.com/home/home.asp

Answer 9

Pasta, pizza, wheat gluten foods, various vegetables, cooked stir fry or however preferred. Just have to watch the carbs with all the pasta and pizza. The best thing to do is hit the health food store and read the labels on all the "mock" meats offered. There are tons of vegetarian recipes online as well.

Answer 10

rice based products.. The Manufacturers of Rice Dream can provide you with a booklet of rice based products. Instead of Nuts.. Kelp.
Instead of Soya Burgers.. Use kelp. Kelp is seaweed! Pumpkin, Beans. Tomatos, beets, celery, fruits. Did U know if U eat mushrooms then nuts that can cause a false allergic reaction in most people!?