Soy Allergies in Children: Symptoms, Prevalence, and Nutrition Benefits

 

Key Takeaways:

• Soy allergies are uncommon and often outgrown. While soy is part of the Big Nine allergens, it affects only about .4% of U.S. children.
• Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Soy allergies can induce skin rashes, facial swelling, respiratory issues, digestive discomfort, and in rare cases, anaphylaxis. Parents should monitor first exposures closely and seek allergist testing if a reaction occurs.
• Soy provides key nutrition for non-allergic children. For kids without soy allergies, soy foods are nutrient dense, a good source of protein and can support their growth.

Soy Allergies in Children

While soy is part of the Big Nine allergens, which account for 90% of all food allergies in America, it is not as common as eggs, milk or peanuts. In fact, soy has one of the lowest prevalence rates among the leading allergens.

Understanding soy allergies and soy’s many nutritional benefits can help parents make informed decisions about including soy in their child’s diet.

Signs and Symptoms of Soy Allergies

Soy allergies can appear with a variety of symptoms. Common signs include:
• Skin reactions: hives or a soy allergy rash
• Facial symptoms: swelling of the lips, face, or tongue
• Respiratory issues: wheezing or difficulty breathing
• Digestive problems: abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting
• Severe cases: anaphylaxis, a life-threatening reaction requiring immediate medical attention

Parents should be especially cautious when their child tries soy for the first time. If symptoms appear, visit an allergist for evaluation. Testing methods like skin prick tests and blood tests can confirm a potential diagnosis.

How Common Are Soy Allergies?

It’s estimated that soy allergies affect about 0.4% of children in the United States. The good news is that soy is a “transient allergy," meaning around 70% of children will outgrow their allergy before the age of 10. It’s rare to see soy allergies in teens and adults. Parents who suspect their child may have a soy allergy should work with a healthcare provider to determine whether soy should be introduced or avoided in their child’s diet.

If a Child Doesn’t Have Soy Allergies…

For children without a soy allergy, incorporating soy foods into their diet can provide a variety of benefits supporting their growth. Soy is a nutrient-dense powerhouse, and one of the few plant based complete proteins to contain all nine of the essential amino acids, making soy particularly beneficial for children who may be picky eaters or follow vegetarian or vegan diets. Soy-based foods contain other essential nutrients important for the development of children and their overall health. For example:

• Fortified, unsweetened soymilk provides vitamin D, calcium, and protein
• Tempeh is a good source of iron and zinc
• Edamame provides fiber

Unsaturated, or good fats, are also key nutrients for a healthy diet. Polyunsaturated fats like omega-3 alpha-linolenic (ALA) and omega-6 linoleic acid (LA) are found in soybean oil. These oils are important for heart health and even promote skin health.

It’s important to note that because soybean oil is refined, it only contains trace amounts of soy protein, which means it isn’t technically an allergen and shouldn’t labeled as such. Trace amounts aren’t enough to trigger individuals with soy allergies.

Easy Soy Recipes

Whether you’re featuring soy as the main ingredient or sneaking it into dishes for picky eaters, it is easier than you think to add soy into your family’s diet. Try these delicious, kid-friendly soy recipes that the whole family will love:

• Soy banana bread: a delightful twist on a beloved classic. Adding soy flour gives banana bread an extra boost of protein.
• Spaghetti with olive, caper, and tempeh tomato sauce: is a colorful pasta dish with added tempeh to amp up the heartiness.
• Mac and cheese: made with silken tofu, this creamy mac and cheese recipe is the perfect comfort food that delivers important nutrients like calcium and protein.
• Tofu peanut noodle bowl: a savory, vegan Thai-inspired dish that combines savory flavors, veggies, and slurp-worthy noodles.
• Cherry mango berry popsicles: the perfect summer treat (or for any sunny day); these popsicles are made with cherries, mangoes, blueberries, and soy milk.

Read more about soy and food allergies.