Soy-Free Signals
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Soy-free isn’t a very common product label; it isn’t very often that you see it in stores, but that doesn’t mean that food items aren’t soy-free. The presence of more popular labels can be a good indication that a product is soy-free. If you are looking for soy-free food, it might be easier to look for other signals.
A gluten-free label is a good indication that the food is soy-free as well - IMAGE VIA PEXELS
Gluten Free
Soy and gluten frequently go together. This isn’t always the case, so we recommend also checking the ingredients for soy, but looking for the gluten-free label can go a long way toward finding products that are likely to be soy-free. Gluten awareness has increased dramatically over the last several years and, as a result, gluten-free options exist everywhere. We’ve previously mentioned that getting a gluten-free in-flight meal is a good way to avoid soy while flying, but it goes further than that. Want a hamburger, but not sure if the bun contains soy? Get it gluten free with a lettuce wrap. Want to make sure your chicken isn’t fried in oil? Get the gluten-free grilled chicken instead (which also removes the possibility of soy in the breading). Bread is one of the common places to find soy, so choosing gluten-free food is a great way to select foods that are more likely to be soy-free.
Since most soy in the US is GMO, finding a non-GMO product is a good way to look for soy-free food - IMAGE VIA PEXELS
Non-GMO
Almost all soy grown and used in the US is genetically modified. Since most soy is GMO, the presence of a “non-GMO” label can be a good indication that something is soy-free. Tons of foods are labeled as non-GMO thanks to an increased consumer awareness of genetically modified food. Be careful, though, as this strategy doesn’t hold in other parts of the world since they may use non-GMO soy.
Looking for gluten-free or non-GMO labeling can make it a bit easier to find soy-free foods. While they don’t provide a perfect match, they can take some of the difficulty out of researching soy-free options and can narrow down the food choices to research. To be safe, always check the ingredients for soy, but using more popular labels can be a great way to find soy-free options!
