Can I be a vegetarian if I'm allergic to soy?

Question

I already eat organic foods and I would like to become a vegatarian but I'm allergic to soy products. Also if I can't eat Tofu then because I'm pretty sure thats made from soy where do I get my protein?

Answer 1

Beans, grains, almond milk, nuts, seeds, rice milk, peanut butter and other nut butters. Quinoa, buckwheat and oatmeal are good protein sources. Combine beans with grains as much as possible.You should be alright. There is also quorn fake meats from fungus? I think that is what it is made from (like mushrooms).

Answer 2

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 3

You are absolutely correct. Tofu is made from soy -- but is it soy bean you are allergic to, or all legumes? Beans are an excellent source of protein, and there are many, many different kinds. Check with your doctor to find out if you are only allergic to soy, or if you can tolerate other kinds of beans. Lentils, peas, chick peas and those sorts of foods are also good protein sources and shouldn't affect your soy allergy.
Are you planning to be a vegan vegetarian, who eats only fruits and vegetables, or are you planning to include fish in your diet and eschew beef, pork and chicken? There are many different kinds of vegetarians, and some do recognize fish as a viable food option. It's an excellent source of protein and Omega3 oils.

Answer 4

There are many options out there for you that have nothing to do with soy.

Also, be aware that there are some that make the claim to being a vegetarian but clearly are not. Double check the history of - shall I say *SOME* - that have posted in here.

I am not a vegetarian - but when I see someone totally misrepresent themselves as "vegetarian" when they clearly are not - makes me shake my head and wonder what lack they have in life that they have to post evidently clearly false statements in an area that is suppose to be where people can find help with the questions that they are asking.

As someone that comes to this area to get views on different topics to do with food - then seeing someone pull a comment from a previous question posted by another - and then they post it as if it is their own - that sort of thing just bothers me.

I guess that some have forgotten their "contented cow" and the "wonderful raw milk" that they upheld not that long ago.....

Answer 5

Nuts, seeds, beans (other than soy, of course!), pulses (lentils), and if you are not opposed to it, eggs or dairy products. Whole grains have protein. Even the potato has protein. If you read a box of pasta, you will see that a serving of plain pasta has 7 to 9 grams per serving. If you are worried, have eggs and or dairy several time a week. Good luck!

Answer 6

If you are willing to eat dairy you can get protein there: cheese, milk, yogurt. Eggs are high in protein. Beans are very high in protein. The truth is that we don't need as much protein as we may think we do. I believe that you can get protein powders that don't contain soy. I think that spirulina also contains protein. Do a little research on the internet and you'll be surprised. Another option, by the way, and one I use is to eat only fish, no other meat. Or you could do just fish and chicken. No mammals. Good luck and good health.

Answer 7

I to am allergic to soybean products of any kind therefore I choose to eat, cooked from scratch, foods. I do not eat in restaurants except for salads and bring my own dressing. I do not eat at fast food outlets at all! As far as tofu goes it is OUT! I tried it ONCE and that was enough! So I generally eat vegetables, fruits, cereals, grains, breads (some), and get my protein from fish that I fix at home - the restaurants grill the fish with sauces and oils I am not sure of. It is a good healthy life but not total vegetarian.

Answer 8

Well I agree with all these answers but if you are allergic to soy your pretty much screwed. Here are some veggies that do have protein... avocado's,carrots,apples,and artichoke heads and hearts. But tofu is made from soy.

Answer 9

I am vegetarian and allergic to wheat, soy, eggs, dairy, corn, peanuts, tomato and avacado. Its much more challenging, but it can be done. You can get your protein from beans, pulses, legumes, lentils, and whole grains such a quinoa and millet. Tofu is made from soy. If you a creative cook, you can make a non soy "tofu" at home with black beans and a coagulant such as magnesium sulphate or calcium chloride. I make homemade rice, almond and sesame milk, and some times use the pulp to make a soy cake substitute. All of the meat subs have soy and wheat gluten, so I avoid them. Good luck, hope this gives you some encouragement-if I can do it, anyone can!

Answer 10

Sure- Soy is the easiest way, eaten with corn or rice, to get the essential amino acids necessary to construct needed proteins. Soy is not complete by itself either. Quinoia, adzuzu beans, garbonzos, a lot of legume type things, some of them legume tubers. Remember "Jurassic Park" where they were certain the dinosaurs wouldn't get away and start reproducing? They were witholding a key amino acid--but the dinosaurs escape to the mainland where a bean that supplied the required amino acid lets they start reproducing.

Answer 11

dont worry about the protein....its everywhere. everything u eat has protien in it. that is what the genetic material is made of....even for a vegetable. although al vegetables dont have all the amino acids required by human so eating a variety helps get all the 20 aminoacids reqired for production of proteins in our bodies. the truly protein rich items are beans, lentils, grams, nuts and dairy products.