SF-is Soy Lecithin ok for most?
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SF-is Soy Lecithin ok for most?
I have been GF for several months, and am now going to go SF and Egg Free as well, due to Enterolab results. I've had considerable improvement going GF, but there is certainly room for more. I have read that soy lecithin is not bothersome for most people that are soy intolerant. I can't tell, as I haven't gone soy free yet. Soy lecithin is in most chocolate, which I can not bear the thought of giving up! Also, I have read that soy oil is ok for some, which is also in many products, and that surprised me. Does anyone find here that they can eat that? I don't eat too much processed food, but will have to give up mayo, which will be difficult as I use it in a lot of salads. Saw some recipes here for homemade mayo. Just don't take my chocolate away.
Hi Lisa,
Welcome to the board. Unfortunately, the experts are wrong about most people with a sensitivity to soy being able to tolerate soy lecithin and/or soy oil. They might be correct about people who do not have microscopic colitis, but the combined experiences of the many members of this board, show that those of us who are sensitive to soy do indeed react to soy lecithin and soy oil.
The good news is that while they are often difficult to locate, there are a few manufacturers of chocolate that offer products that do not contain soy lecithin. If you are unable to locate any, please ask, because someone here should be able to suggest where to find chocolate that's free of soy. Enjoy Life, for example, is one brand that is free of gluten, dairy, and soy.
http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/chocolate-bars/
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
Welcome to the board. Unfortunately, the experts are wrong about most people with a sensitivity to soy being able to tolerate soy lecithin and/or soy oil. They might be correct about people who do not have microscopic colitis, but the combined experiences of the many members of this board, show that those of us who are sensitive to soy do indeed react to soy lecithin and soy oil.
The good news is that while they are often difficult to locate, there are a few manufacturers of chocolate that offer products that do not contain soy lecithin. If you are unable to locate any, please ask, because someone here should be able to suggest where to find chocolate that's free of soy. Enjoy Life, for example, is one brand that is free of gluten, dairy, and soy.
http://www.enjoylifefoods.com/chocolate-bars/
Again, welcome aboard, and please feel free to ask anything.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Welcome from Illinois, Lisa!! 
I live in a northern suburb of Chicago. Are you in a suburb north, south, west, or do you live in the city? It's a fantastic area to live in if your diet is restricted. There are many restaurants and grocery stores serving a large diverse population.
You don't need to give up chocolate because you can't eat soy lethicin. There are several options you can pursue. As Tex mentioned, you can eat Enjoy Life chocolate chips. If you'd rather have a little larger amount of chocolate to munch on, you can melt the chocolate chips and pour the melted chocolate into candy molds, then refrigerate them until solid. Remove them from the molds and store in a bag in the refrigerator.
My husband makes chocolate-covered buttercreams at Christmas - similar to Fannie May's, but better. After smelling the aroma of melting chocolate for days, I told him that if he can make the buttercreams for friends, he certainly can make them for his wife (who has endured this torture for 5 years). He substituted ghee for the butter, soy-free chocolate for the coating, and I made sweetened-condensed milk for the fondant mixture. They are delicious, better than I ever remember them with regular butter. And they don't seem to bother me! If anyone wants the recipe, I'll be happy to post it.
I've heard that Trader Joe's sells soy-free chocolate bars - perhaps someone here can verify this or give you more information.
Gloria
I live in a northern suburb of Chicago. Are you in a suburb north, south, west, or do you live in the city? It's a fantastic area to live in if your diet is restricted. There are many restaurants and grocery stores serving a large diverse population.
You don't need to give up chocolate because you can't eat soy lethicin. There are several options you can pursue. As Tex mentioned, you can eat Enjoy Life chocolate chips. If you'd rather have a little larger amount of chocolate to munch on, you can melt the chocolate chips and pour the melted chocolate into candy molds, then refrigerate them until solid. Remove them from the molds and store in a bag in the refrigerator.
My husband makes chocolate-covered buttercreams at Christmas - similar to Fannie May's, but better. After smelling the aroma of melting chocolate for days, I told him that if he can make the buttercreams for friends, he certainly can make them for his wife (who has endured this torture for 5 years). He substituted ghee for the butter, soy-free chocolate for the coating, and I made sweetened-condensed milk for the fondant mixture. They are delicious, better than I ever remember them with regular butter. And they don't seem to bother me! If anyone wants the recipe, I'll be happy to post it.
I've heard that Trader Joe's sells soy-free chocolate bars - perhaps someone here can verify this or give you more information.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
Gloria,
Did you check the link in my post? Enjoy life also makes 3 types of chocolate bars. The dark chocolate bar appears to have safe ingredients. The other two would be safe for most of us, except that they contain carrageenan.
Tex
Did you check the link in my post? Enjoy life also makes 3 types of chocolate bars. The dark chocolate bar appears to have safe ingredients. The other two would be safe for most of us, except that they contain carrageenan.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Tex,
I'm still eating chocolate bars that I bought back in '10, when I was able to eat chocolate daily. It will be a while before I'll be looking to buy more. I eat about 2 pieces every 10 days or so due to the high histamine level of chocolate. I know the chocolate doesn't last long, but so far, it's OK.
I'm aware of the Enjoy Life bars, but I must have seen the carrageenan and dismissed them. Thanks for pointing that out for others.
Gloria
I'm still eating chocolate bars that I bought back in '10, when I was able to eat chocolate daily. It will be a while before I'll be looking to buy more. I eat about 2 pieces every 10 days or so due to the high histamine level of chocolate. I know the chocolate doesn't last long, but so far, it's OK.
I'm aware of the Enjoy Life bars, but I must have seen the carrageenan and dismissed them. Thanks for pointing that out for others.
Gloria
You never know what you can do until you have to do it.
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Christine.
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:15 pm
I have read that some people do not react to soy lecithin and soy oil. I avoid it anyway since i do react to other forms of soy, but the few times I have inadvertently eaten it I did not react. I also do eat beans and peanuts occasionally (on purpose) without problem. Trader Joes has dark chocolate bars without soy lecithin in a couple of flavors. The one I have now is in a pink wrapper and it has almonds.
Christine
Christine
I did find some at Trader Joe's, ehhhh on the taste, maybe another kind would be better. I found some at another local grocery store, too, which I bought but haven't tried yet. So, Christine, you are saying that if sensitive to soy, many have to watch out for peanuts and beans, too? I eat quite a bit of peanut butter, luckily I don't think it's been a problem. I am finding that I think I can tolerate some soy lecithin, but not too much. When I have too much, it doesn't agree with me it doesn't work, but a few pieces of chocolate seem to be ok. I'll keep testing it, and try some of the other soy free chocolate. Thanks everyone for your comments!
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Christine.
- Gentoo Penguin
- Posts: 260
- Joined: Mon Feb 20, 2012 1:15 pm
Lisa
Yes. Lots of us that can't tolerate soy also don't eat other legumes. I like almond butter better than peanut butter anyway so that isn't an issue. But I do eat beans in soup or as a side dish. I'm wary of eating too many at a sitting, though.
As for chocolate, I wanted to be polite so i had some homemade candy last night with nuts, corn syrup and chocolate chips. (The truth really is that I haven't eaten stuff like that for over a year and I really wanted it). I'm sure my neighbor didn't use soy-less chocolate chips or else she put a dab of cream in the toffee and forgot to tell me; in any case I surely was cleaned out as of mid day today! Oh we'll, back to square one with easy, safe food.
Christine
Yes. Lots of us that can't tolerate soy also don't eat other legumes. I like almond butter better than peanut butter anyway so that isn't an issue. But I do eat beans in soup or as a side dish. I'm wary of eating too many at a sitting, though.
As for chocolate, I wanted to be polite so i had some homemade candy last night with nuts, corn syrup and chocolate chips. (The truth really is that I haven't eaten stuff like that for over a year and I really wanted it). I'm sure my neighbor didn't use soy-less chocolate chips or else she put a dab of cream in the toffee and forgot to tell me; in any case I surely was cleaned out as of mid day today! Oh we'll, back to square one with easy, safe food.
Christine