Aw...Crap.

I've been having a skin rash (TMI? Sorry.) as an allergic reaction and te only thing I can think it would be cause by is all the soy I consume. I'm not a vegetarian due to the deal I made with my parents (I have to eat chicken), but I was wondering if anyone knows of soy-free meat alternatives. I eat nuts, beans, cottage cheese, and other things that have protein in them, but it's still not enough for my protein needs and I don't want to be stuck eating the same things all the time. I'm getting tested for allergies Thursday, I've never had any problems in my life until a few weeks ago...

Thanks in advance!

For an easy meat subsitute, you could try Quorn burgers, sausages, mince, fillets, etc... I don't know if you eat eggs, but at least the eggs used in Quorn products are free range.

High protein sources that are non-soy: 

Greek yogurt (a little tart, so I use it in place of sour cream), Spinach has an amazing amount of protein for a veggie, eggs, especially the whites, are good if you can eat them as a semi-vegetarian (I'm not one, so I don't know), flax seed is good to add to dishes for extra protein and good fats, supplements like GNC's whey protein powders, and there are MANY kinds of beans/lentils that help you keep things varied.

Hope that helps, and good luck with the allergy test.  Hopefully it's just one kind of soy that's bothering you!!

String cheese is really tasty as well. Eggs are good, too. Also, Greek yogurt is really good with a bit of honey.

This site seems to be a great resource: http://foodallergies.about.com/od/soyallergie s/tp/soyfreeprotein.htm

Soy-Free Vegetarian Protein Sources High-Protein Foods for Vegetarians and Vegans with Soy Allergies

By Victoria Groce, About.com

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by our Medical Review Board

"How can you be a vegetarian if you can't eat tofu?!" That's a common question for vegetarians with soy allergies. Soy is the main ingredient not only of tofu but also of tempeh, most textured vegetable protein meat substitutes, and a variety of vegetarian convenience foods. However, a variety of foods are safe for soy allergies and appropriate on vegetarian and vegan diets that can get you the protein you need. Read on for eight high-protein foods you can incorporate into your vegetarian diet.

Milk and Eggs

These aren't for vegans, of course, and they're common allergens in and of themselves, but for lacto-ovo-vegetarians, milk and eggs can be a rich source of protein and of vitamin B-12, a vital nutrient which isn't found in plant protein sources. One cup of whole milk contains about eight grams of protein -- more than 15% of the daily protein needs of an average, non-athletic adult -- while one large egg contains nearly seven grams.

Beans

They're cheap, they're easy to cook (though they take a while), and they're valuable sources of micronutrients like iron, folate, and magnesium, just to name a few. Beans have so many virtues in a vegetarian diet that it's hard to list them all. And they're delicious and filling to boot. One cup of cooked black beans provides 15 grams of protein. Others -- pinto, cranberry, garbanzo, and navy, to name a few -- have similar nutritional benefits.

Nuts

Nuts are common allergens. So as with milk and eggs, they won't be useful for everyone. But like beans, nuts are rich vegan protein foods with other important nutrients, like vitamin E and phosphorus. One cup of pecans or macadamia nuts packs about 10 grams of protein, while a cup of whole dry-roasted almonds will net you a whopping 30. Don't overlook nut butter, nut milks, and nut flours as easy ways to add nuts to your diet.

Seitan

Made from the protein-rich gluten of wheat flour, seitan (or "wheat meat") is a commonly used vegetarian meat substitute that's safe for soy allergies in its unadulterated form (although you'll need to be careful if you're buying commercial seitan from a supermarket or health food store, as some varieties do include soy). You can make your own seitan from vital wheat gluten at home (just leave out the soy sauce). One serving of White Wave seitan will provide 18 grams of protein.

Whole Wheat

Whole wheat is an efficient way to get protein and one that's especially useful because it comes in so many different forms. Whether in the form of pasta, bread, or wheat berries (whole wheat kernels that are eaten like couscous or in cold salads), whole wheat is a great source of fiber and minerals like selenium and manganese. Be sure to buy whole grain -- not refined -- products for maximum protein. One cup of whole wheat spaghetti has 7.5 grams of protein, while one ounce of whole wheat bread with wheat berries will give you about three.

Quinoa

Touted as a "supergrain" for its nutritional completeness, the staple food of the Inca people is experiencing a bit of a commercial renaissance in North America. You'll find it sold not only as a whole grain but also blended with corn in pasta. One cup of quinoa includes 23 grams of protein (about half of an average woman's daily protein needs), and it's high in fiber, magnesium, and phosphorus to boot.

Flaxseed

Whole flaxseed is a lovely addition to muffins, where the chewy, crunchy texture works well. A few tablespoons of ground flaxseed can be added to any smoothie recipe for a slight nutty flavor and a nutrition boost. In one cup of flaxseed, you'll find nearly 31 grams of protein.

Oat Bran

Another so-called "superfood" (a group of foods such blueberries, salmon, and raw honey said to pack great nutritional punch), oat bran is the part of the whole-grain oat removed during the processing of instant and rolled oats. Like flaxseed, oat bran is an easy addition to baked goods. You can also add it to oatmeal or other hot cereals; a few tablespoons of oat bran added to instant or rolled oats won't affect cooking time but will provide a fiber and nutrient boost. You can also follow package directions to cook it by itself. One cup of cooked oat bran boasts seven grams of protein.

Thanks for all the replies you guys.

I was thinking soy-free products, but natural sources of protein are much better!

You could try Seitan... if you're not allergic to wheat gluten.

Why the hell would you promise your parents you would eat chicken? Eat what you want to eat... be true to yourself. I'm vegan.. I don't even really watch what I eat and I'm still super healthy and not deficient of anything. I hope your not allergic to the soy :(

I'm still under 18, I still have to live by their rules. The are quite a bit of issues with food in the house already and I don't want my last years here to be living hell. I've been counting the years though. 1.5 more to go!

Anyway...

I went to the allergist and they wouldn't let me take my test because I was taking Claritin, so I had to suffer another week and I go in again Tuesday. I hope they find out what's wrong...if not I guess it's off to the dermatologist. 

Seitan... that sounds great. No, I'm not allergic to wheat gluten (I hope). Can I buy that or do I have to make it, like I've been seeing online?

Hello guys,

Thanks for all of your helpful replies, but after 2 months with a rash that never fades and keeps me up at night, two visits to the allergist, and finally getting the blood test results back, my doctor has concluded that he doesn't think it is an allergy. He said "it doesn't look like a histamine reaction" and that he doesn't even know what to tell me to do next. I think I'll see if my mom can get me an appointment with a dermatologist...

Maybe the health forum would have some ideas?

Where is the rash located?  What does it look like?  Does it ever heal or is it always in the same place?

Are you positive that it's a rash and not bug bites?  Bed bugs in particular are hard to see nasty little critters that like to snack on humans.  Are there any other people in your family or pets that have any skin irritation right now?

The rash is pretty much everywhere. It started on my thighs, then went pretty much everywhere else. It's mostly on my abdomen and places that people tend to sweat most (underarms, behind knees, groin area). It just recently spread to my neck, but I hope it stays off my face because while sometimes it is more prominent than others, it never goes away. It mostly looks like small, red goosebumps, but there are bigger bumps too and small red spots on my skin with cracks.

I'm not sure about the bed bugs. I live with my mom and she doesn't have any symptoms. We have a dog, but I don't know. He doesn't seem to scratch much, but he does linger in my room since my mom doesn't let him in hers.

Is there any way I could find out if it's bed bugs?

Thanks for your help.

Edit: By the way, a lot of people haven't been getting my messages on CC. I replied to yours, but if you don't get it: Yes, please do move the thread. I think it would be helpful.

I get heat rashes in the summer all the time... all around those areas. Maybe with extra winter clothes layers, you're "overheating" in the sweating places, and getting a heat rash?

Does it itch or have a feeling to it that makes you want to rub/scratch it? I know my heat rashes itched like hell... there was some cream my mom got for me to put on it that helped somewhat... but I forget the name (you can probably google something for heat rash cream). But besides the cream (and constantly being in the pool with cool water) you just have to suck it up and live with it (given it's a heat rash).

I'd still go see a dermatologist though. 

it could be totally unrelated to food.  Try using hypoallergenic products (if you don't already use them) and washing your clothes in baby detergent (Ivory Snow, Dreft etc, or even Woolite) 

This is a job for dermatologist - it could be some sort of fungus or yeast infection rather than allergies.

Heck yes it itches. I don't scratch it all day long and put gloves and socks over my hands at night so I won't scratch it, but I wake up with the gloves off and find myself scratching my legs raw. The dermatologist my first intention, but everyone jumped to the conclusion of an allergy.

My mum bought gain with perfumes or colourings and hypoallergenic soap. Some Aveeno body wash too. Are there any products you recommend?

I really think it's a heat rash then if it itches... 

Products... I think nutrogena has a hypoallergenic line that I use (lotion). Whole Foods carries tons of hypoallergenic/organic/natural (and expensive) body products...

You'd think the doctor I go to regularly would even be able to recognize heat rash.

Do you have really dry skin?

My mom gets a rash that sounds similar to yours during the colder weather, and her doctor could never figure out what it was. They thought it was allergies for a while, but they're not sure. One thing is though, my mom has terribly dry/sensitive skin...so that probably has something to do with why she gets it.

I'm not sure about my whole body, but my elbows are pretty horrible.

What about something my diet could be lacking?

I don't think I'd be this frustrated if I knew why this was happening to me. Two months doesn't sound long, but it is to the itchy person. Heh...

you can try coconut oil....it looks like a wax when you buy it but your body temp warms it up. it is really good for dry skin. i used to have weird itchy patches on the back of my arms and they went away when i used that. it is great as an all over moisturizer and is slightly oily but absorbs quickly. it's primary use is for cooking but you can look up more uses on line for it. it is also meant to reduce the appearance of cellulite!!!  honestly i slathered it on after a shower. try it out.

I will definitely try that. It's natural too, a plus. I'm not sure how long it will last though since it is a generalized rash.