How to Avoid Soy while Pregnant
Studies have shown that pregnant women who consume soy regularly may negatively affect their child's development. Although soy is a great source of protein, soy can raise levels of isoflavones in the amniotic fluid, possibly stunting reproductive growth in their children. Although soy and its derivatives are found in many food products, avoiding soy to protect the health of their unborn child is simple with a little education and effort.
Things You'll Need
- Fruits
- Vegetables
- Beans
- Nuts
- Seitan
- Polenta
- Water
- Decaf coffee
- Decaf tea
- Fresh fruit juice
- Almond or rice milk
- Almond or rice cheese
- Olive oil
Instructions
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Avoiding Soy
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Eat a diet of mostly fresh, whole foods, such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, dairy products and meat or non-soy meat substitutes. Avoid pre-packaged foods, especially pre-made foods that contain sauces, flavorings and breadings, which typically contain soy or a soy derivative.
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2
Steer clear of packaged drinks such as instant coffee or coffee substitutes, hot cocoa packages or fruit drink packages, as many contain soy. Instead, stick to water, freshly squeezed juices, or decaffeinated coffee or teas.
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3
Get your protein from sources other than soy. If you eat meat, fish, poultry and pork offer plenty of protein. In place of tofu, vegetarians can consume the protein they need from beans, vegetables, nuts, peanut butter and whole-grain pastas. Also, consider seitan, a meat alternative made from wheat gluten that packs more protein than tofu. Polenta, made from ground cornmeal, is another vegetarian-friendly alternative to soy.
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4
Don't drink soy milk. Instead, drink low-fat or non-fat milk, or if you're lactose intolerant, try almond or rice milk. In addition to containing nutrients such as magnesium, potassium and calcium, almond milk has a slightly nutty taste. Typically fortified with calcium and vitamin D, rice milk tastes similar to regular milk.
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5
If you're vegan, steer clear of cheese made with soy products. Instead, use cheeses made from almonds and rice in your diet.
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6
Avoid cooking with vegetable oil, which contains soy. Try cooking with olive oil instead.
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When in doubt, read nutritional labels of products you suspect might contain soy. Avoid anything containing the words soy, soya, tofu, miso, tempeh or vegetable on the label. Also, look out for soy by-products such as soy lecithin, glycine, tocopherols or phospholipids.
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Check labels for products manufactured in facilities that handle soy products in case of cross-contamination. This information will typically be in the allergy warnings section of the label.
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