Hi Songbird,

I have chosen to no longer eat gluten - wheat, oats, barley, rye and some corn products. In the process, my body has told me other things it  needs me not to eat, soy is one of them. Some research on soy says it's not good for arthritis and has a corrosive effect on the joints,  which is my concern. You might want to investigate gluten-free resources, which are also pretty much soy free as the most popular form of soy, soy sauce, contains wheat unless you buy a special brand (San-J Wheat Free Shoyu is one). A great set of websites to start you out are:

www.glutenfreegirl.com (Shauna has a great story and wonderful cookbook)

www.glutenfreegoddess.com

www.celiac.org (a site for those with the gluten-intolerance disease, celiac sprue)

I substitute high protein seeds like amaranth, quinoa and teff - which are all nutty and tasty - for soy, and combine them with just a few nuts once a day or at every meal, your choice, to make up my RDA of protein.  If you mix fish in with that and concentrate on whole grains - wild or brown rice instead of white rice for instance - you should be able to be just fine on your daily protien intake.

If you're a woman worried about phytoestrogen intake, there are other plants you can get into your diet such as wild yam, that have a similar effect to soy without the side-effects you don't want. 

Also, be proactive in educating yourself and feeling empowered by your situation. Use Google search to look up every term your doctors have given you in relation to your diagnosis. Know the disorder as well or better than they do. When you empower through knowledge, you have the best chance of beating symptoms.

You also have a headstart on those who are continuing to abuse their bodies and stand to benefit from an active life until your death - unlike those who continue to shovel in the junk food. Including junk food we were brought up to believe was healthy, but now know is not.

Lastly, I'd like to recommend the energy therapies as no-drug-no-side-effect ways of dealing with both symptoms and food allergies. You can learn about one of them, Emotional Freedom Technique, here:

http://maryamwebster.com/eftbasics/

I've used this technique for pain and it works really well. Good luck!

Warmly,
Maryam Webster

-- Maryam Webster, M.Ed, M.NLP
Time, Energy and Bliss For Busy Women
in Leadership http://maryamwebster.com

You could try other alternative diet like green tea diet.

-Regards,
Suzette Marks, Health and Fitness / Weight Loss Writer:[Colon Cleansing][Resveratrol Supplement][Acai Berries][Eye Creams][Mineral Cosmetics][Green Tea and Weight Loss].