Parents know that eggs are some of the healthiest foods considering all the nutrients they pack. But, is it ok for a toddler to eat eggs everyday? If so, how many eggs can they have daily? Find out here.
What’s in an egg?
Did you know that the humble egg, which is a common Filipino breakfast companion, is rich in the following vitamins and nutrients?
- Vitamin A, B2, B3, B12, D (Eggs are one of the few foods that naturally have Vitamin D!), and E
- Iron
- Folic Acid
- Choline, an important nutrient for brain development
- Protein
- Essential fatty acids
- Magnesium
- Potassium
- Iodine
Furthermore, a large egg weighing approximately 60 grams has about 71 calories, which means it’s also a good source of energy.
Eggs and cholesterol: What’s the real score?
Even with all the benefits, some parents still don’t think that it is okay for a toddler to eat eggs everyday. This doubt stems from the fact that eggs are naturally high in cholesterol.
But here’s some experts’ take on eggs and cholesterol:
- Eggs have cholesterol, but they are not likely going to affect (raise) our blood cholesterol. What’s more influential is the amount of saturated fats we eat from other foods.
- There are studies linking egg consumption and heart disease risk; but there may be other reasons behind the connection, such as the foods that we eat together with eggs (bacon, sausages, and other processed meats), and the way the eggs are cooked.
- Generally, people who eat eggs seven times a week don’t have increased heart disease risk.
- Doctors recommend that we should keep our intake of cholesterol to fewer than 300 mg daily. One large egg contains about 185 mg of cholesterol – all of which are found in the yolk.
So, is it ok for a toddler to eat eggs everyday?
The details we have shared involve cholesterol in eggs and its effects in healthy adults… but, what of kids, particularly toddlers?
To this day, there’s still not enough research that can fully affirm that it’s okay for a toddler to eat eggs everyday. However, there are some studies indicating that young children can consume at least one egg daily.
For instance, one particular investigation revealed that kids aged 6 to 9 months who consumed one egg daily for 6 months reduced their risk of stunting by up to 47% compared to those who didn’t eat eggs. The risk of being underweight in the egg-consuming group was also reduced by 74%.
So, if children as young as 6 to 9 months can eat 1 egg daily, it’s possible that toddlers can, too. But then again, experts still haven’t set a limit, seeing that we need more studies about it.
Even though it might be okay, it’s not recommended to eat eggs daily.
Eggs are generally good for kids. But, even so, experts do not recommend daily egg consumption.
They explained that even if it may be safe to eat eggs daily, parents should focus on variety. It means that, while the egg is a good source of protein, they should have other protein-rich foods in their diet as well. Examples of other protein-rich sources are fish, beef, chicken, pork, and even nuts!
Variety in the diet ensures that your little one is getting as many nutrients that different foods can offer. Moreover, giving your toddler different foods helps them explore various food textures and flavors.
Healthy ways to cook eggs
Remember that how you cook eggs also matters, so keep the following preparation tips in mind:
- Boil or poach eggs, and as much as possible, don’t add salt.
- For scrambled eggs, consider using healthy types of butter and low-fat milk instead of cream.
- Add eggs to various recipes, including pasta dishes and vegetable salads.
- Remember that frying eggs can increase the fat content by up to 50%.
- Be careful with raw or minimally cooked eggs; they might contain salmonella.
Key Takeaways
Are eggs good for kids? Experts agree that they are. However, there’s no recommendation as to how many eggs a toddler can eat on a daily basis. Overall, experts place emphasis on healthy, balanced meal plans made up of a variety of foods.
Learn more about Toddler Nutrition here.
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