Eggs have long been considered the most nutritious breakfast in the world, and they are also one of the earliest complementary foods that babies are introduced to. However, some parents have expressed concerns that their babies have trouble digesting eggs. So, how should eggs be cooked to make them more easily digestible? And who should avoid eating eggs? This article will provide you with the best methods for easily digesting eggs!
【How to Cook Eggs for Easy Digestion】
If you have a strong digestive system, whether the eggs are cooked soft or hard doesn't matter much. Some people even enjoy the chewy texture of "old" eggs. However, for the elderly, children, or those with poor digestion, eating hard-boiled eggs, especially the egg whites, can be uncomfortable and difficult to digest. In these cases, it is best to cook eggs in a way that makes them easier to digest.
The easiest way to digest eggs is to steam them into an egg custard. In this method, a large amount of water is added, making it difficult for the eggs to coagulate and become firm. The steamed egg custard has a very delicate and tender texture, suitable for both the elderly and children.
If you don't like egg custard, you can also cook "soft-boiled eggs". Place the eggs in cold water, with just enough water to cover the eggs. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then immediately turn off the heat and let the eggs sit for 4-8 minutes.
In addition, fried eggs are usually cooked more tender, with even the egg yolk only partially solidified. Therefore, they are easier to digest than boiled eggs. However, the maturity of the eggs must still be considered when frying. If the eggs are fried until very firm, they will still be difficult to digest.
【Benefits of Eggs for Children】
Eggs are rich in high-quality protein, fats, cholesterol, and other micronutrients, making them one of the best sources of nutrition for the human body.
An authoritative magazine in the United States has ranked eggs as the "most nutritious breakfast in the world" because eggs not only contain well-known nutrients such as proteins and cholesterol but also contain two amino acids, tryptophan, and tyrosine, which help the body fight against oxidation.
Therefore, the antioxidant function of one egg yolk is equivalent to that of an apple, but its calorie content is only equivalent to half an apple or half a cup of milk. Eggs contain a rich variety of high-quality proteins, and the types of amino acids in eggs are consistent with those in the human body, which facilitates better absorption and digestion of the nutrients in eggs.
Eggs also contain many vitamins and minerals that cannot be compared to apples and milk.
【People Who Should Avoid Eggs】
1. People with a fever should not eat eggs.
A study of Chinese children aged 3-12 showed that 8.4% of children have food allergies, with egg allergies being the most common, accounting for more than half of all allergy cases.
2. Infants should be cautious of egg allergies.
Eggs can cause allergic reactions in some people, especially infants whose immune defense system is not fully developed and are more prone to allergies.
3. Egg consumption is prohibited for patients with nephritis.
If patients with nephritis consume eggs during the onset of the disease, it will increase the amount of urea, a metabolic product of eggs, and may even lead to uremia, posing a life-threatening risk.
4. Patients with hepatitis should not eat egg yolks.
Patients with hepatitis should only eat egg whites, as they are rich in proteins and amino acids, which are beneficial for liver function recovery.
5. Individuals with gastrointestinal diseases should avoid eating eggs.
When the gastrointestinal function is poor, eating eggs can increase the burden on the digestive system and cause indigestion. Therefore, egg-based foods should be avoided during this time.
