These days soy is in just about everything from sausage, cheese and margarine to milk, baked goods and snack foods.  The problem with soy is that most of the soy found in processed food is genetically modified (GM), which spells trouble.  GM foods are those foods whose DNA has been modified to either switch on desired traits or switch off undesired ones.  What's bad about GM foods is that there have been several unintended adverse health risks associated with them such as allergic reactions, viral and bacterial illnesses, birth defects, cancer and degenerative diseases.  Moreover, very little is known about what the long-term effects of consuming such large amounts of it will do to the human body and overall health.

That is why many are seeking alternatives to soy, which often proves to be unexpectedly challenging.  Soy is found in just about everything.  Its even introduced to infants upon their arrival into the world in the form of formula.  Short of becoming a raw foodist, the task of avoiding soy requires that one adopt the skills of a private detective.  Seriously, you have to approach it like an investigator not only by being diligent about reading labels, but by engaging in investigative queries.  You have to ask whether the oil used in the food product in question is soy-based.  You have to know that just because you don't see the word soy doesn't mean that it's not, in fact, an ingredient.  Soy may be called by many names.  It may be listed as natural flavorings, hydro- something (such as hydrolyzed vegetable protein), vegetable gum, starch or broth and several other aliases.

Therefore, the most effective way to avoid soy is to eat more live, organic foods such as fresh fruits and vegetables.  Also, do more cooking.  Processed foods are notoriously known for having soy as a main ingredient.  Alternatively, you may focus more on avoiding GM soy, versus avoiding soy all together,  by buying products that are certified organic or eating soy foods that are minimally processed like tempeh and tofu.

Ultimately, going soy-free is possible and many have succeeded in doing it.  However, for many doing so proves to be more trouble than its worth.  Nonetheless, the most important thing to do is to maintain your diligence in at least reducing your soy intake.  Americans are presently consuming far too much of the stuff and given what little we know of the long-term effects of doing so continuing to take such a passive approach will not be to our benefit.  So be proactive, read more labels and eat more live, organic foods.