Negative Effects of Soy???

Updated on September 09, 2009
A.G. asks from Boca Raton, FL
10 answers

I have a 2 year old who is allergic to milk, egg, peanuts, tree nuts, seeds, and beans. I breastfed him until he was nine months old and since then have relied on soy formula, soy milk, soy cheese, and any other soy alternatives I can find. (icecream, cream cheese, chocolate pudding, etc.) I am concerned about the responses to the soy post from the other day saying how bad and how much damage soy products can have. What do you do when soy is your only alternative? I occasionally give him rice milk but I feel it has very little nutritional value. He does eat chicken and meat but won't eat vegetables. Have I damaged my son? He is very advanced for his age cognitively so I don't think it has had a negative effect on his development. Where do I go from here?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

Featured Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.H.

answers from Miami on

I'm one of the mom's who was asking about Soy because I've been giving my daughter soy milk/products as well. I've decided to give my daughter hemp milk and am going to try some goat milk too. I found one rice cheese (cheddar flavor) that is soy free. I'm going to continue the hunt for soy free products. My sister just told me about a new pasta (barilla plus I think) that has 17 grams of protein in one serving. I am not really concerned that my daughter needs so much milk, I just think she needs more fats/proteins. Because she is also allergic to peanuts/eggs and has some sensitivity to cheese/milk (not convinced it's allergy or lactose intolerance) we are somewhat limited. She eats super healthy - no cookies or junk so she doesn't get any fat really other than from the little bit of meat she eats or the milk. Please keep me posted if you find good alternatives. Having kids with special diet needs is hard work!

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

M.H.

answers from Jacksonville on

A.,

I don't have much advice to offer other than what has been mentioned. I would definitely limit as many soy products as possible other than tofu or tempeh.

I would urge you NOT to try raw milk. If your son has an allergy to milk, he is allergic to the PROTEIN in milk not the SUGAR (lactose). An intolerance to milk has to do with the sugar(lactose)an allergy has to do with the protein. So, while it is true that many people with milk INTOLERANCES can benefit from raw milk, a person with a true milk allergy will not.

The good news is that he is very, very likely to outgrow the allergies to milk and eggs.

I hope you have found some answers. Don't feel guilty, you have NOT damaged your son. You are a good mama and doing the right thing trying to gather information and making informed decisions.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

N.J.

answers from Fort Walton Beach on

I BF my son until he was 7 months, and then to soy. He has an intolerance to the proteins in cows milk. He's been on soy formula and then milk since. He's 19 months now. About 6 months ago, I started to give him half soy/half rice milk. He likes the rice milk, but like you don't think it has enough of the good stuff he needs. My son is also cognitively really advanced, and physically too. He hasn't had any developmental problems. If your still worried about the soy, just give him the rice milk, and give him a gummi vitamin. He's get the stuff he needs. I would also just try and get him to eat more veggies.

Sounds bad, but my kids love ketchup. So I let them "dip" everything into ketchup including all their veggies. :) They eat all kinds of stuff now, and I've been not giving them as much ketchup. I'm slowly weaning them off ketchup. LOL

Hope this helps..

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

E.B.

answers from Boca Raton on

There are so many alternatives to soy milk. Almond and hemp milks are great! You can even make your own almond milk, just google a recipe. Coconut milk is great mixed with the above, as it adds some good fats and makes the drink so tasty. Also try cocnut icecream, by Coconut delight. All of this is avaliable at Whole Foods.
Soy is ok sometimes, but I would not use it regularly!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.M.

answers from Orlando on

Below is my post to the previous Soy post. I would strongly encourage you to stop using soy for your son. His estrogen levels are likely sky high already.

Goat's milk is readily available all over. Whole Foods and Publix both carry it next to the cow's milk...give it a try. Otherwise, don't worry about milk. It's not a requirement for good health. If your son enjoys milk, try goat's milk.

Soy can and will cause developmental problems due to the high estrogen levels, as he matures.

You might also consider seeking out a chiropractor who can help with the food allergies. In the long run that would be the most healthful for your son. :)

******************************
More and more research is showing that the estrogen in soy can be dangerous. One serving of soy per day while pregnant, for example, can result in your son being born with 20,000 (TWENTY THOUSAND!) times the normal levels of estrogen!

Personally, I do not let my son eat soy at all except on rare occasions in trace amounts. I check labels and prefer for him to eat home cooked, whole foods the vast majority of the time.

A couple good links:
http://www.westonaprice.org/mythstruths/mtsoy.html

http://www.soyonlineservice.co.nz/03summary.htm

People will tell you that soy has phytoestrogens and thus aren't a concern. However, your body recognizes estrogen as estrogen whether it is plant or animal based.

Also...lots of soy isn't good for you either. Soy made me infertile. I was unable to conceive until I removed soy from my diet. (I was doing Weight Watchers and was using soy since it was low in calories, high in fiber, to lose my weight. I lost 85 lbs that way, but at a high cost to my health.)
***************************************

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.G.

answers from Boca Raton on

There is nothing wrong with rice milk, I give this and almond milk to my son and I don't feel it is nutritionally inferior to regular milk. Rice milk and almond milk are both fortified with calcium and vitamins A, D & E. (Vitamin D is important because we can't absorb calcium without it). But definitely limit the amount of soy as much as possible!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

T.R.

answers from Tampa on

I would have to agree with the posts about soy mimicking estrogen. He may be developing normally now, but could have problems later in life when he tries to have children.
I urge you to do research on the Weston Price website already mentioned.
I know it is controversial, but another option is raw milk. A lot of people that are allergic to dairy are actually reacting to the process of pasteurizing. Raw milk has enzymes in it that brakes down the lactose in the milk.
You also may consider yogurt (preferably plain full fat) since when cultured, most of the lactose is gone.
If you want more info on raw milk, there are a couple coops in the Tampa area.
T.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

A.R.

answers from Jacksonville on

My daughter (14 months) is also allergic to milk, eggs, peanuts and wheat! This is new to me. She was breast fed for 5 months and then developed the milk allergy so we had to put her on soy formula. I was wondering if this "caused" these other allergies also? She is currently on rice milk because she actually has a very mild allergy to soy, according to her blood tests. The rice milk actually has the same nutrients as 2% milk does which is what I have always given my older child, who is not allergic to anything by the way.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.S.

answers from Tampa on

Hi A.,
No, you have not damaged your son! Soy is a fine alternative to cow's milk. In other countries they use goat's milk, but I don't think that's readily available in the US. The fact that you breastfed him for two months is awesome and great for cognitive development. My daughter was colicy and when I cut dairy from my diet while I was nursing, it was like I had a different baby. She has been on soy formula and milk since then. I tried cow milk when she was one, but she doesn't like as well, so I switched back to soy (she doesn't have an actual allergy and does fine with other dairy products.) If you are really concerned, you could call his doctor's office for reassurrance. The important thing is that he is developing normally and getting a balanced diet. Some soy milk is enhanced for kids, but I can't remember what the actual difference is. Soy milk has the required amount of calcium and vit D.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

C.O.

answers from Miami on

Hi A.,
My son is also allergic to milk and gets exzema when has dairyM
Becareful of soy though, it has high levels of estrogen and is not good on a daily basis. I would try Rice milk or Goat milk.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions

Related Searches