In This Article Show
Can toddlers eat over medium eggs? Is it safe for toddlers? It’s alright for parents to be skeptical about what they feed their kids, especially toddlers. After all, they are still tender and extra care needs to be taken with them. While eggs can be introduced to toddlers from 6 months, it depends on how well it was cooked or prepared.
Eggs are a great source of protein as well as other vital nutrients for both children and adults. It contains vitamins and minerals that are beneficial to the growth and development of a child. But like I said earlier on, when serving eggs to toddlers, how it was prepared matters a great deal. This takes us back to the question “can toddlers eat over medium eggs?”
No, it is not safe to feed a toddler with over-medium eggs. Over medium eggs are considered to be undercooked as the yolk is slightly runny, for this reason, there’s a high possibility of contracting a foodborne disease known as salmonellosis.
Over medium eggs are tasty, this is why a lot of people find them irresistible. They are also a great choice for breakfast but will it be okay to share this goodness with your toddler? Will it cause them any harm? What better ways can toddlers be fed eggs? You will be finding all of this out as you read further into this article.
NEW READ: Toddler Won’t Eat At Daycare: Here’s What To Do
Is It Safe For Toddlers Eat Over Medium Eggs?
Before you consider serving your toddler with over medium or runny eggs, have in mind that there’s something unappetizing lurking in it.
Great deals to snatch for your little ones 🎉
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, raw, runny, or undercooked eggs are not safe for kids under the age of 5. It is equally not advisable for adults as well, especially expecting mums, the elderly, and people with underlying illnesses.
No, toddlers can not eat over medium eggs because it hasn’t been properly cooked or left long enough to eliminate any existing bacteria in the eggs.
The main reason why over-medium eggs are not recommended for toddlers is because of the possibility of them contracting a foodborne disease commonly known as salmonellosis. This infection is caused by a group of bacterium called salmonella or salmonella enteritidis which is largely responsible for several cases of food poisoning in the U.S.
Toddlers’ immune systems are not strong enough to fight off this bacteria which makes them susceptible to the infection. Thereby making it unsafe to feed toddlers with soft-boiled eggs, raw eggs, sunny-side-up eggs, and over-medium eggs due to the health issues it can cause them.
Some of the symptoms of salmonellosis include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, cold, abdominal cramps, and headaches.
And these signs and symptoms can persist for as long as 7 days without medication. However, nobody would want to see their child go through all of that which is why it is best to serve eggs to toddlers fully cooked as it is completely safe and poses no health threats to them.
Best Ways To Serve Eggs To Toddlers
Eggs are a very nourishing and healthy choice of food for children and adults. It contains a reasonable amount of vitamin E, vitamin K, vitamin D, vitamin B6, calcium, and zinc.
After checking in with your pediatrician to be sure it’s fine to introduce solid foods like eggs to your toddler, the next bridge to burn is finding out safe and secure ways to serve eggs to them. The following are the best ways to serve legs to toddlers
1. British Lion Mark Eggs
These are eggs that are considered to be safe for consumption in any form (soft-boiled, runny, over-medium). These eggs have been produced with a lot of precautionary measures and strict guidelines.
Before egg production, the hens are vaccinated against the bacteria that cause salmonellosis, which reduces the risk of contracting the food-borne disease. That being said, you can feed toddlers over medium eggs only if the eggs have the British lion mark stamp, this way you are sure you are not putting your toddler at any risk.
2. Hard-boiled Eggs
Hard-boiled eggs are one of the best ways to feed toddlers eggs, as they are fully cooked and pose no potential danger to your child’s health. Hard-boiled eggs have been left to bill for a long duration, thereby eliminating any bacteria that may be present in the eggs.
Also, note that hard-boiled eggs may present a choking hazard so when serving this to your toddler you should cut it into every little piece, so it won’t be hard for them to chew and swallow. And for babies below 9 months, you should consider smashing the eggs into a pulp.
3. Over Hard Eggs
Just like hard-boiled eggs, over-hard eggs stay longer on heat and do not have a slightly runny yolk. With this method, the egg is flipped and cooked until the yolk is hard. This makes it a safe choice for toddlers as any risk of salmonella has been eliminated.
Summary
Toddlers are considered to be high-risk individuals as their immune systems are not yet as active and strong as that of an adult.
For this reason, a lot of care must be taken as to what we feed them. Furthermore, over medium eggs, soft-boiled eggs, and over-easy eggs are not safe for them unless these eggs have the British lion mark stamp.
Eggs are a tremendous source of protein and essential nutrients so there’s no reason why your toddler can’t indulge in them, it’s just best to serve hard-boiled eggs and over hard eggs chopped into smaller pieces to them.
Keep Learning:
