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Incredible Eggs
Introducing Eggs into Baby's Diet
By Donna Smith
- Hives or rash
- Sneezing
- Stuffy or runny nose
- Wheezing, cramps
- Nausea and diarrhea
- Swelling around the mouth and face
- Coughing or wheezing
"The signs and symptoms of an egg allergy may occur within minutes after eating, or can take hours to appear," O'Shea says. "If there is a family history of food allergies, you should wait until after 2 years of age [to introduce eggs]."
Swinney considers eggs a "superfood" for children and parents. "Eggs are one of the best sources of choline, a B vitamin necessary for brain development, especially the memory center," she says. "Brain growth continues at a fast pace in the first year of life, so brain-building nutrients are important." She points out that the only other foods that contain choline are beef and chicken liver, which are not big favorites of babies or toddlers.
"Eggs contain the 'perfect protein' – just one half an egg provides more than 25 percent of an older infant's need for protein, 83 percent of his need for choline, 77 percent of his need for selenium and 8 percent of his need for zinc, plus 10 more essential vitamins and minerals," Swinney says.
DHA is another important nutritional benefit of the egg. "They contain DHA, an important fat that is found in breast milk and may promote Baby's growth and brain development," O'Shea says. "They are a good protein source, and also contain good amounts of vitamin A, D, E, B-12 and folic acid."
Eggs can be fried, scrambled, hard-boiled or poached for little eaters. "They are a generally soft food, and you should be sure that they have a generally soft texture and have the consistency of a puree," O'Shea says. "However, it is critical that that eggs – including the yolks – be cooked thoroughly (and are not left runny at all) because of the risk of salmonella food poisoning. The eggs can be mashed with breast milk or formula, and for toddlers, you can even make a veggie omelet with pureed veggies or soft diced veggies."
