Eggs offer valuable nutrients that support the brain development of young children, according to the latest guidelines published by the US Government.

Recently, the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) were published, offering advice and guidelines to help Americans to make healthier dietary choices. This publication included the recommendation that babies and toddlers should be fed eggs as part of a balanced and healthy diet, with eggs offering vital support for young children’s growing brains.

This publication recommended that eggs should form part of the diets of infants and toddlers, as well as pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers. The guidelines report that eggs contain several of the key nutrients which are critical for babies during the period when brain development is occurring rapidly.  

One of the reasons for this recommendation is the high amount of choline that is found in eggs. Choline is a nutrient which has been praised as vital nutritional support for neurological development throughout all life stages.  Eggs are high in choline, with one egg supplying the daily recommended choline intake for babies and toddlers, while for pregnant women, eating two eggs would supply more than half of the daily recommended choline intake.  Choline supports numerous bodily functions, including metabolic health and cellular growth.

The health benefits of eggs have long been lauded by the nutritional research community, with research demonstrating that eggs contain several valuable nutrients critical for development at any age. Eggs provide nutrients such as protein, vitamin D, choline, biotin, vitamin B12, iodine, selenium, riboflavin and pantothenic acid. These nutrients are important for supporting bone health, muscle health and brain development.

The early introduction of eggs has also been shown to impact allergies, with research showing that early egg introduction into children’s diets reduces the chances of developing an egg allergy. Experts recommend introducing eggs into babies’ diets at around 4-6 months.

Concerns about cholesterol can be relieved, as the Advisory Committee confirmed that egg consumption is not associated with cardiovascular disease. This is further confirmed by associations such as The Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa, who recommend eggs as part of a healthy diet.

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