An Eggy Affair

To egg or not to egg? It's nowhere near as complex as to nut or not to nut, but yesterday when I slipped Billie her first ever taste of egg yolk I called out to her papa to check he was ready to race to the hospital if necessary.

Fortunately, her organic scrambled egg yolk and milk went down a treat. I was even left wishing I could leave out the whites from mine. But that would be a bit of a waste.

Until very recently, mainstream advice was to avoid eggs completely until nine months, and wait another three months before including the egg whites. Whites are the typically allergic bit of eggs (and most of the nutrients are in the yolk anyway).

However, new major studies in the United States, Germany etc have found delaying the introduction of certain foods MAY NOT help prevent future allergies.

We've all been wondering why peanut butter has become as condemned at the school gate as marijuana. Some schools are even rebelling and boasting of being Pro-Nut schools (that may have been an urban myth, but I'll check it out later).

So a new theory is that perhaps by not feeding our kids certain foods we are setting them up for a life of being unable to even eat a packet of potato crisps (these may have been made at a factory where nut products may have been produced).

Here's an excerpt lifted from updated policy for the American Association of Pediatrics:

"Although solid foods should not be introduced before 4 to 6 months of age, there is no current convincing evidence that delaying their introduction beyond this period has a significant protective effect on the development of atopic disease regardless of whether infants are fed cow milk protein formula or human milk. This includes delaying the introduction of foods that are considered to be highly allergic, such as fish, eggs, and foods containing peanut protein."

But before I start feeding Billie peanut butter sandwiches (not that healthy anyway and the most problematic) I'm going to try Billie on the superior-in-every-way tree nut family. Many of the meals I prepare include hazel nuts, brazil, walnut, almond, cashew. And when it comes to baking nuts are essential.

I'll keep you posted.

In the meantime, if you are feeding a baby please check the website below for more information.

And remember, hold off on the egg whites for a wee while.


http://aappolicy.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/pediatrics;121/1/183


BILLIE BITES SPECIAL SCRAMBLED EGGS

Separate egg, putting whites aside or adding to your own scrambled eggs. Whisk egg YOLK with a couple of spoons of whole milk. Heat a very little oil in fry pan. Turn to low and pour in egg/milk. Immediately stir with wooden spoon, ensuring it doesn't stick. You want the egg to be a creamy smooth consistency when done. Continue stirring, with only very short breaks to put child in high chair etc. When fairly thick and firm remove from heat and serve immediately.