Are Plant-Based Meats Safe for Food Allergy Patients?

Are Plant-Based Meats Safe for Food Allergy Patients?

In 2017, the plant-based meat market reached $3.9 billion. Seven years later, it more than doubled to $8.1 billion. The plant-based market offers a healthier way to enjoy favorite red-meat dishes without the saturated fat, environmental damage, or harm to animals. But it’s not always safe for everyone.

Just one plant-based meal each week helps lower your risk of chronic health conditions such as colorectal cancer. It can help you lose weight. As you increase your fiber intake, you may have more energy and feel fuller longer.

When planned correctly, plant-based diets often help stabilize blood sugar levels and lower blood pressure. Your body thrives with increased intake of B vitamins, magnesium, and potassium. With less saturated fat in your protein choices, you also may find your cholesterol levels lower.

The ingredients in plant-based meats make them inappropriate for some people. Before you embrace plant-based meats, you need to know whether they’re safe for people with food allergies.

Seven Allergens Often Found in Plant-Based Meats

The ingredients in plant-based meats vary by company. These seven ingredients are found in various products.

• Egg – Some companies use egg whites as binders. Egg whites contain a protein that can trigger digestive, respiratory, and skin symptoms. Anaphylaxis is a severe condition that can cause swelling of the tongue and throat, difficulty breathing, and loss of consciousness. 
• Legumes – Legumes include chickpeas, lentils, lupine, peanuts, soy, and other beans. Allergy symptoms include itching, hives, stomach pain and upset, and facial, lip, and tongue swelling. Peanuts and soybeans are the biggest offenders.
• Mycoprotein –One brand uses a fungus that’s not a mushroom but is in the same plant kingdom. Allergies to mycoprotein aren’t common, but people with mold allergies should exercise caution when eating foods made with mycoprotein.
• Nuts – Tree nuts like walnuts are used in some meat substitutes due to their texture. They also add the fat that gives a plant-based burger an oily feel.
• Onions – An onion allergy is an allergy to plants in the allium family. That means you also need to be cautious when eating chives, garlic, and leeks. Symptoms range from mild stomach pain and hives to difficulty breathing and anaphylaxis.
• Sesame – Tiny sesame seeds prove to be a big issue for people with sesame allergies. Not only are sesame seeds an issue, but they’re often used in sesame oil, which adds flavor to plant-based meat substitutes. 
• Wheat – Wheat allergies occur when the immune system reacts to proteins found in wheat. Mild symptoms include hives and itching. Severe symptoms involve anaphylaxis that can develop quickly. 

We looked at some readily available plant-based meat crumbles or burgers. These products contain the following food allergens. Eggs are not plant-based, but some companies use egg whites as binders.

• Beyond Meat – Yellow pea protein, red lentil protein, and pea starch
• Field Roast – Wheat, garlic, and onion powder
• Gardein – Textured pea protein, garlic powder, and onion powder
• Impossible Foods – Soy protein
• Lightlife – Soy protein and wheat gluten
• Morningstar Farms – Wheat gluten, soy protein, egg whites, onion powder, and garlic powder
• Nutcase Organics – Walnuts, hazelnuts, sesame seeds, and garlic
• Quorn – Mycoprotein, egg whites, and pea fiber
• Upton’s Naturals – Wheat gluten, soy sauce, whole wheat flour, garlic, and onion

Hidden Risks With the Ingredients in Plant-Based Options

Manufacturing plants often produce multiple product lines in the same building. While they do everything possible to avoid cross-contamination, it can happen. Always read the label warnings to see if the factory produces other items with ingredients you’re allergic to.

Another problem is that some allergies lead to cross-reactivity. For example, you’re allergic to peas, but your body develops reactions to other legumes, such as lentils. They’re different items, but your body’s immune reaction is the same for both.

Plant-based proteins also contain a higher amount of pea protein than you’re used to ingesting. You may be fine eating some peas mixed into your potato salad, but a burger made mostly from pea protein causes a reaction. 

Learn to Read Labels Carefully

Before trying anything new, read labels. Learn to read ingredients carefully and look for items your body cannot tolerate. Make sure you know the different names an ingredient might go by. For example, crumbled seitan is made from wheat gluten. If you have a wheat allergy, it is best to avoid crumbled seitan. Here are a few others.

• MSG (can be derived from soy)
• Soya flour (soy)
• Textured vegetable protein (soy)
• Tofu (soy)
• Triticale (wheat)
• Triticum vulgare (wheat)

Be Vigilant and Enjoy Plant-Based Meats Safely

Instead of purchasing factory-made plant-based meats, consider making your own. One of our favorite plant-based meat crumble recipes is easy to make with a food processor.

Finely mince a pound of portobello mushrooms and 1 ½ cups of walnuts using the food processor blade. Transfer to a large mixing bowl and add 3 tablespoons of soy sauce or tamari and 1 teaspoon of white pepper. Toss until thoroughly combined. 

You can alter that mixture as needed if you have food allergies. For soy allergies, swap the soy sauce for coconut aminos. If you have a tree nut allergy, swap the walnuts for pumpkin seeds or roasted chickpeas. 

Allergic to mushrooms? Cooked lentils are another popular substitute for meat crumbles. Cook the lentils and mix them with your favorite seasonings. 

Food Allergies May Appear Suddenly

Even if you’ve never had a food allergy, it can develop at any time, even well into adulthood. It’s important to listen to your body when you try something new. If you experience any signs of a food allergy, see an allergist.

Food allergies often present with symptoms like hives, itching, and a runny nose. Because they mimic other allergies, it’s essential to see a doctor for a professional allergy test.

New or worsening food allergies should not be ignored. An allergist helps you find the best treatment options for your food allergies. Studies show that it’s possible to end allergies through small doses of the allergen over a long period. This approach helps your body develop a healthy immune response and stop overreacting.

Premium Allergy & Respiratory Center offers online booking to help you find the best day and time to discuss your possible food allergy. Our doctor performs allergy tests to identify exactly what you’re allergic to and how to manage your allergy.