What is the soya ladder?
The soya ladder is a way of introducing soya-containing foods into your child’s diet. We suspect that your child is growing out of their soya allergy and you have been advised by your doctor or dietitian that it is safe to start introductions at home.
When should I start the soya ladder?
You can start soya reintroduction when your child is completely well and does not have any coughs or colds. Any eczema, hay fever, rhinitis or asthma they may have must be well controlled.
Choose a day when you have time to observe your child for at least two hours after they have eaten the food. If they have an emergency allergy action plan, then please ensure you have their emergency treatment with you.
How does the soya ladder work?
The ladder starts with small amounts of highly processed soya, such as soya lecithin, and increases in stages to less processed soya, and finally fresh soya products such as yoghurt and milk. Once your child has passed all of the steps without any symptoms, they are no longer considered to have an allergy to soya and can eat it freely.
Start with step 1 (see table overleaf) and choose one of the suitable foods that your child will eat. Try the food in the doses suggested, increasing the amount every few days.
What to do if a reaction occurs at any step
- If your child has any signs of an immediate allergic reaction (for example hives, swelling, onset of cough, wheeze, sneezing, itchy eyes, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhoea), STOP the reintroduction. If they have an allergy treatment plan, please give the medication as advised.
- Contact your GP if your child seems unwell.
- Contact your paediatrician, allergy team or dietitian if you need further advice.
- If your child has symptoms of a delayed allergic reaction a few hours or up to three days after eating soya (for example vomiting, diarrhoea, eczema flare), stop the reintroduction and allow your child to recover.
- You may be able to continue to include smaller amounts of soya in your child’s diet if they were tolerating this previously.
| Step | Food to be introduced |
|---|---|
|
Step
1 – soya lecithin For example Pom Bears© Milkshake made with chocolate flavour Nesquik© Dairy-free chocolate buttons Cereal bar or ice cream wafers Microwave oat porridge sachets Some dairy-free spreads such as Biona sunflower spread |
Food to be introduced Give 1 portion of food containing soya lecithin per day for 3 days. |
|
Step
2– soya flour 1-2 slices bread containing soya flour 1-2 gluten free biscuits or 1 cereal bar containing soya flour |
Food to be introduced Give ¼ portion of food and double the portion every 1-3 days until able to tolerate a full portion. |
|
Step
3 – well-cooked soya protein Cooked soya cheese (20g hard soya cheese, grilled or cooked in pasta) Cooked soya mince ( for example as a bolognaise sauce) Cooked soya milk ( for example 2-3 tablespoons of white sauce made with soya milk) |
Food to be introduced
Give ¼ portion of food and double the portion every 1-3 days until able to tolerate a full portion. |
|
Step
4 – whole soya foods Soya yoghurt (125g or 1 small pot) Soya cheese (20g uncooked) |
Food to be introduced Give ¼ portion of food and double oto portion every 1-3 days until able to tolerate a full portion |
|
Step
5 – soya milk Target portion 150-200ml soya milk |
Food to be introduced Replace 50ml of your child’s usual milk and double this every 1-3 days until your child is able to tolerate 150-200ml soya milk. |
Once your child is able to tolerate a full portion of soya milk for seven days with no symptoms, they are able to include soya in their diet freely.
Contacts
Dietitian: …………………………
Telephone: 01223 216655
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