During the first six months, babies are fed exclusively with breast milk, if possible. Things get complicated when complementary feeding is introduced. This is when parents’ fears and doubts arise, especially with the most allergenic foods. A very common one is when to start offering eggs to the baby.
Of course, whether it is puree-based or BLW (Baby Led Weaning) is practiced, with each new food you have to be aware of possible allergies and intolerancesThis happens, for example, with foods rich in protein such as milk, peanuts, fish, meat, soy and one of the most common sources of protein in our diet: eggs. In fact, the fact that they are so essential in our diet is what makes it necessary to be especially careful when introducing them to babies.
Why does egg cause so many problems in babies’ diet?
“I don’t think it is a particularly problematic food. But it is one of the allergens that must be declared and, as such, it is necessary to pay careful attention to it,” says Alba Santaliestra, a doctor in Nutrition, dietician-nutritionist and food technologist and Honorary Member of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The expert points out that there is a certain tradition, both on the part of paediatricians and families, in the late introduction of eggs. This circumstance can generate more alarm and concern. «Perhaps it is because eggs have been considered dangerous for several generations, although – she insists – there is no compelling reason for this.»
The reality is that the prevalence data for egg allergy stand out for being quite low. “The figures range between a 0.5% and 2% of the population, being more common in children. It is important to remember that in the case of eggs we only find allergies, never food intolerances,» says the expert.
Egg allergy goes away with time.
The fact that it is more common in children – specifically children under five years old – is due to the fact that “this allergy disappears over the years, as the digestive system matures and the child grows.” However, it does not always go away with age and there are still adults with an allergy to eggs.
Does egg allergy always include the yolk and the white?
Allergies occur because the The immune system reacts to what are considered specific characteristics.«These proteins are found in a higher concentration in the egg white, but this does not exclude the possibility that there are problematic proteins in the yolk or proteins that could cause allergies.»
When it comes to restricting this food, whole eggs are usually excluded for safety reasons, although “the proteins to which we may be allergic may be those from the white, the yolk, or both,” explains Alba Santaliestra.
Main nutritional benefits of eggs for babies
The most important is the one it contains. High quality proteinthat is, highly digestible protein with an optimal variety and quantity of essential amino acids. It is a very complete food, thanks to which it is possible to cover a large part of the nutritional needs of children in a comprehensive way, mainly for proteins and some vitamins (folates, B12A, E, etc.) and minerals (calcium, iron, potassium, etc.).
Although protein is present mainly in the egg white, the yolk also contains fats, mainly unsaturated. “It is a food with high nutritional density that, in small quantities, offers a very interesting and high nutrient intake,” confirms the dietician-nutritionist.
How to introduce eggs into your baby’s diet
The expert offers the following recommendations:
- One of the most common questions in the pediatrician’s or children’s dietician-nutritionist’s office is at what age eggs can be given to babies. As with other foods, eggs can be introduced From the sixth month onwardsThis slogan goes beyond the idea of decades ago of delaying its introduction until after the tenth month, or even the year.
- You should always enter individuallyand not with other additional new foods. Ideally, you should introduce one new food per week to easily identify if there is any allergy or intolerance to any food. This guideline applies to all foods.
- It is recommended to introduce the yolk separately from the white, in case one of the two causes an allergy.
- It is advisable First introduce the yolkbecause it has a lower content of potentially allergenic proteins, so the risk of developing that allergy is lower.
- It is not a good idea to postpone their introduction much beyond the sixth month because the longer you delay foods with high allergenic potential, the greater the risk of causing allergies.
Precautions and techniques to avoid
The expert is blunt regarding the possibility of the egg being raw: “The key is that the egg is fully cooked. Fried eggs or eggs cooked on a griddle are not acceptable. The yolk and the white must be well cooked. The most recent studies suggest that boiled eggs are less likely to be rejected and, therefore, fewer allergic reactions.
The reasons have to do with the fact that when cooked, either in a sufficiently set omelette or using the cooking technique, the proteins are already partially digested thanks to the heat treatment.
How many times a week can a baby eat eggs?
Recommendations suggest offering eggs to babies around 3-4 times a week, between meals. This proportion is similar to that recommended for lean meats, fish and legumes.
Reality, however, shows that it is not easy or common for this to happen from 6 months onwards. “The trend should be for the child to have the most varied diet possible, in which all food groups can be included. But the expectations of families have to be realistic and, if at the beginning of complementary feeding, it is not possible to apply these recommendations for food consumption frequencies, they have a lifetime to educate their children in healthy eating,” says the dietician-nutritionist.
Fried eggs and babies: for starters, no
Alba Santaliestra recommends not offering fried eggs to babies until they are 2 years old. And, if you do, the yolk should be fully cooked. “In a fried egg, the yolk is raw. This creates more problems when it comes to digestion and handling the food safety of that food,” concludes the expert.
The ALDI Council
Complementary feeding can be stressful as you try to adapt your baby’s new schedule and menus to the meal rhythm of your parents and siblings. With small changes, you can adapt your baby’s food to that of the rest of the family. You’ll save time in the kitchen and help your child learn the eating habits of the older ones!
Alba Santaliestra. President of the Scientific Committee, member of the Academic Body and Honorary Member of the Spanish Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health, Bachelor in Food Science and Technology and Diploma in Human Nutrition and Dietetics from the University of Zaragoza. Postdoctoral researcher at the Aragon Health Research Institute, Carlos III Health Institute, Center for Biomedical Research Network and Pathophysiology of obesity and nutrition (CIBER-Obn). Instagram @albasantaliestra
