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Five reasons eggs are perfect food for kids

Parents want the best for their kids. We want them to do well in school, we want them to find their way in life, and—above all—we want them to be happy. One of the best ways parents help is by feeding their kids a delicious and nutritious diet. We want them to have the energy they need to learn, grow and succeed. Eggs can play a big role in that. Keep reading to learn about five key reasons why eggs can help your child become all they can be. eggs_and_kids_960x640-1

1. Healthy brain

Research has found that pregnant and breastfeeding women who eat eggs are more likely to meet their child’s need for choline.1 What is choline, you ask? It boosts parts of the brain important for learning and memory. We know pregnant women need more choline, with one study indicating that only a quarter of the recommended choline intake, which is consistent with findings from previous studies. 2 The lesson is: don’t avoid eggs during pregnancy! eggs_and_kids_960x640-2

2. Healthy growth

Studies have shown the role eggs can play in promoting normal growth and maintaining a healthy weight. 3,4 One study found that children who were undernourished and provided more eggs in low- and middle-income countries had improved growth in height and weight, showing the impact of egg consumption on ideal growth patterns.3 Another study found that greater egg consumption was associated with a reduced risk of cardiometabolic health complications among adolescents who were overweight or obese.4 For ideal growth and functional health in children and adolescents, eggs may be the key! eggs_and_kids_960x640-3

3. Less sugar

According to one report, the majority of Canadians’ diets exceed recommendations for added and free sugars.5 Eggs are a wholesome food, free of sugar, and rich in vitamins and nutrients. Plus they can be cooked in so many delicious ways! eggs_and_kids_960x640-4

4. Preventing an allergy

Eggs are such a healthy food choice, yet an egg allergy can prevent you from enjoying them for a lifetime. Introducing whole eggs early in a child’s diet can reduce their chances of developing an egg allergy. It’s one of the reasons why the infant feeding guidelines from Health Canada, the Canadian Paediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada recommend introducing whole eggs at six months of age, or as soon as your baby starts eating solid foods. eggs_and_kids_960x640-5

5. So many nutritional benefits

One of the great things about the infant feeding guidelines is their implication for eggs for babies. From a nutritional perspective, eggs are simply an incredible food. Eggs are an excellent source of choline, a vital nutrient for baby’s brain development. Eggs are also a nutritious choice for kids and adults alike, packed with high-quality protein, Vitamins A, D, E, B12 and iron. They are endlessly versatile and offer flexible options for any meal that the whole family will love and can enjoy together!

¹Lewis ED et al. Estimation of choline intake from 24 h dietary intake recalls and contribution of egg and milk consumption to intake among pregnant and breastfeeding women in Alberta. British Journal of Nutrition 2014; 112(1):112-21.

2 Wiedeman, A. M., Miliku, K., Moraes, T. J., Mandhane, P. J., Simons, E., Subbarao, P., Turvey, S. E., Zwicker, J. G., & Devlin, A. M. (2024). Women in Canada are consuming above the upper intake level of folic acid but few are meeting dietary choline recommendations in the second trimester of pregnancy: data from the CHILD cohort study. Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, 49(6). https://doi.org/10.1139/apnm-2023-0258

3 Larson, E. A., Zhao, Z., Bader-Larsen, K. S., & Magkos, F. (2024). Egg consumption and growth in children: A meta-analysis of Interventional Trials. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1278753

4 Tabatabaeyan, A., Lotfi, K., Mirzaei, S., Asadi, A., Akhlaghi, M., & Saneei, P. (2023). The association between egg consumption and metabolic health status in overweight and obese adolescents. Scientific Reports, 13(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30018-y

5 Liu, S., Munasinghe, L. L., Ohinmaa, A., & Veugelers, P. J. (2020, October 21). Added, free and total sugar content and consumption of foods and beverages in Canada. Statistics Canada. statcan.gc.ca