Eggs have perennially been named one of the most nutritious foods on the planet. And it’s not hard to see why. A single egg is packed with vitamins, minerals, protein, fat (the good kind!), and other amazing nutrients. When it comes to eggs for babies, it can even prevent future illnesses.
Because eggs are plentiful in the good stuff, they improve our quality of health. For mums and dads, they can keep cholesterol levels normal, promote eye health, and even help with weight loss.
Eggs for babies aged 6 months can prevent allergies, says new paper
A new paper published in the Nutrition Bulletin Journal further strengthens eggs’ claim to fame by highlighting the benefits of eggs for growing babies.
This comes on the heels of the Food Standards Agency (FSA) touting the safety of British Lion eggs. They are safe for babies, pregnant women, and the elderly, the FSA asserts, even when served runny or raw.
New research further claims that introducing eggs early helps prevent future allergies! | Photo: iStock
For years, many mums delayed introducing eggs to prevent allergies. But this new paper claims that adding it to your baby’s diet early in the weaning process can protect them from allergies in the future.
“There is growing evidence that introduction of eggs early in the weaning process and in the mother’s diet during pregnancy and breastfeeding can help protect babies against egg allergy,” says the paper’s author, Dr Gray.
The early weaning process is described as a “critical window” to start protecting babies from future allergies by introducing these types of food early on. So the same goes for peanuts and other common allergens, says the research.
Why runny eggs for babies have been discouraged in the past
These new claims challenge the assumption that runny eggs are not safe for pregnant mums and babies.
For years, we have known about the dangers of fresh eggs. The FDA warns that they possess the bacteria Salmonella, which can cause food-borne illnesses like food poisoning.
This is why the FDA has made sure that distributors and consumers know about the importance of egg safety.
“To prevent illness from bacteria: keep eggs refrigerated, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly,” warns the FDA on their website.
Because of these potential risks, it is always best to consult your child’s paediatrician about the potential benefits of eggs during the early stages of weaning.
Egg-based weaning recipes your kids will love!
Eggs aren’t just nutritious, they are a delicious first food your baby will enjoy! | Photo: iStock
Because eggs are soft, babies can easily swallow and digest them. As they are highly nutritious, they are considered a good weaning choice for mums of babies aged six months.
During weaning, you can start feeding your baby small pieces of cooked egg. If there seems to be no allergic reactions, you can feed eggs to your baby more frequently.
“For the majority of infants who are at low risk of egg allergy, introducing eggs in a soft-cooked form make them an excellent, easily consumed and highly palatable ‘early weaning’ food,” explains Dr Gray.
Here are some egg-based weaning recipes to try, mums and dads!
1. Sweet potato mash with soft boiled egg and broccoli puree
Photo: eggrecipes
This delectable dish promises healthy doses of fibre, potassium, vitamins A, B6, omega-3s, calcium, and iron. It takes about 20 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
- 1/4 sweet potato, peeled
- 4 florets broccoli
- 2 tsp creme fraiche or Greek yogurt
- 2 tsp creme fraiche or Greek yogurt
- Knob of butter
Method
- Add the sweet potato to a pan of water and bring to the boil. Cook for 10 minutes until tender then drain and mash well, stirring through the butter.
- While the sweet potato is cooking, steam the broccoli for a few minutes over the water with a colander or steamer. Transfer to a blender and blitz to puree with the creme fraiche.
- Meanwhile, bring a pan of water to the boil and lower in the egg. Simmer for 6 minutes then drain, rinse under cold water and leave to cool a little. Peel and quarter then serve with the mash and broccoli puree.
You can get the full recipe here.
2. Scrambled eggs with pea puree
Photo: eggrecipes
This recipe is best for mums in a rush, as it only takes 10 minutes to whip up!
On top of the health benefits of eggs, the goodness of peas is also in this recipe. Peas are known to be plentiful in dietary fibre, iron, zinc, protein, magnesium, folate, vitamins C, K, B1 and B2, and more.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- 50g peas
- Knob of butter or cooking oil
Method
- Bring a pan of water to the boil and add the peas. Cook for 2 minutes then drain, reserving a little of the cooking water, and transfer to a blender with the water.
- Beat the egg in a bowl or jug. Heat the butter in a pan and add the egg, stirring until the egg has cooked. Serve with the pea puree.
You can get the full recipe here.
3. Avocado and cauliflower scrambled eggs for babies
This 17-minute recipe promises your baby healthy doses of nearly 20 different vitamins as well as potassium, folate, niacin, riboflavin, pantothenic acid, and protein.
Ingredients
- 1 egg
- Knob of butter or cooking oil
- 4 florets cauliflower
- 1/4 avocado, peel and with seed removed
Method
- Bring a small pan of water to the boil and place a colander or steamer on top. Steam the cauliflower for 7 minutes or until completely tender. Allow to cool then mash or keep whole depending on how your baby likes it best.
- Mash the avocado. Set aside.
- Beat the egg in a bowl or jug. Heat the butter in a pan and add the egg, stirring until the egg has cooked. Serve with the mashed avocado and cauliflower.
You can get the full recipe here.
4. Junior egg fried rice
This baby-friendly version of an Asian family favourite is packed with iron, zinc, protein, dietary fibre, magnesium, folate, vitamins C, K, B1 and B2, and a whole lot more.
Ingredients
- 1 egg, beaten
- 30g rice
- 30g peas
- Handful baby spinach leaves, chopped
- Knob of butter or cooking oil
- Squeeze of lemon juice
Method
- Cover the rice with 60ml water. Bring to the boil, then cover and lower the heat almost completely. Leave for 15 minutes without removing the lid.
- Meanwhile, boil a kettleful of water and pour just boiled water over the peas and spinach through a sieve to wilt the spinach.
- After the 15 minutes, fluff the rice with a fork.
- Heat the butter in a frying pan and add the fluffed rice. Turn up the heat and add the beaten egg. Stir with a fork until the egg has cooked then add in the peas, spinach and lemon juice. Serve.
You can get the full recipe here.
When preparing meals for your family, remember to serve cooked eggs immediately. If you plan to serve them later on, refrigerate them, but make sure to reheat them thoroughly.
Don’t leave cooked eggs for more than an hour outside the refrigerator.
Most importantly, consult your child’s paediatrician about the potential benefits of these recipes for your fast developing little one.
What egg-based recipes does your family love? Let us know in the comments below.
Sources: Farming UK, Healthline, Egg Recipes UK, Nutrition Bulletin Journal
READ THIS ALSO: An age-by-age food guide for your little one’s healthy brain development
