Diagnosed With An Allergy To Soy As A Vegetarian? Here Are Some Alternate Protein Sources
As a vegetarian, you'll often rely on tofu as a source of protein. Given that you aren't eating animal proteins, tofu is effective for including in several meals throughout the week to provide this necessary part of your diet. If you've started to experience troubling symptoms and you believe that you may be reacting to tofu, it's important to visit an allergist to get tested. Tofu is made from soy, and many people have soy allergies. Learning that you're indeed allergic to soy and that you can no longer eat it can be a rude awakening when you're a vegetarian who has relied heavily upon tofu. Fortunately, you can consume protein through the following means after your diagnosis.
Dairy Products
Dairy products can be an effective source of protein, and while vegans will stay away from such foods, many vegetarians rely on dairy to get protein and a mixture of vitamins and minerals. When you begin to incorporate dairy products after you've eliminated tofu because of a soy allergy, you should get in the habit of checking the nutritional information to assess the protein content. For example, Greek yogurt is extremely high in protein, and you'll commonly find that it contains more protein than conventional yogurt.
Protein Supplements
You've likely been in the habit of consuming tofu in a number of ways, including in soups, salads, and even in breakfast smoothies. Now that you'll be staying away from this soy-based product, you may want to experiment with different protein supplements. Many of these products are suitable for vegetarians. For example, whey protein includes dairy, but if you're fine with that, there are many whey proteins on the market. Should you wish to stay away from dairy in large amounts, choose a plant-based protein supplement. Pea protein, for example, is readily available in health food stores and can work sprinkled into soups and smoothies.
Nuts
As a vegetarian, you've likely been consuming nuts for their protein. After a soy allergy diagnosis, you may wish to increase your intake of nuts. Fortunately, there are many different types of nuts that are easily available, so you won't struggle with the feeling of always eating the same thing. Macadamia nuts, Brazil nuts, almonds, cashews, and pistachios, for example, are all packed with protein and work well either on their own as snacks or sprinkled onto salads. Nut butter can also be an effective way to get more protein in your diet.
For more information about food allergy testing or food allergy treatment, reach out to your doctor.
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