Can you do a vegan diet with an allergy to soy?!

Can you do a vegan diet with an allergy to soy?

You should be able to, the main function of soy in a vegan or vegitarian diet is protein, there anr many other sources of protein other than soy.

The key is to mix a grains (rice, wheat, etc.) and pulses (beans, green peas, chick peas). this should give you all the essential amino acids (building blocks of protein) that you need.

I would suggest getting a good indian vegitarian or vegan cook book. Indian cooking does not use soy, and involves a wide variety of vegitarian dishes. The Hare Krishnas (who run a restraunt chain called Govindas) are nearly vegan (they do not eat meat, or eggs, or a few other things for religious reasons) and do not use much soy. They still use some milk, but not in all their cooking. Look for a Hare Krishna cook book.

You will still need vitamin and mineral suliments, but you would need this even if you ate soy. The ones i can think of are Iron, and Calcium, but there are a few others, and you should find a reliable refrence or a professional nutritionist for this.

You will probably need to take calcium in pills, or be very careful in your choice of vegitables. Soy does not naturally contain much calcium, soy milk often has added calcium to make it a better milk substitute (so vegans who eat soy often don't need to think about their calcium intake).

If you have any other allergies you will find it hard to have a balanced and interesting diet, but it's definately possible.