Eggs are very healthy foods for kids and adults alike. They’re a great source of vitamins and minerals, including hard-to-find ones like vitamins D and B12. They’re also rich in omega-3 fatty acids, choline, and protein. Research has found eggs can support good heart and visual health in addition to weight management.
For parents, eggs are also an easy meal option when you have little time. They take minutes to prepare and can be served with a variety of other options. Plus, when considering the cost of other protein sources, they’re on the lower end of the scale.
However, getting a picky toddler to eat eggs can be a challenge. Some kids don’t like the appearance of eggs, while others find issues with the texture. But don’t give up! There are a few effective ways you can encourage your child to eat eggs, and we look at them below.
Have Your Kids Help Prepare
In general, children are more motivated to try new foods and be adventurous with their eating if they help prepare the meal. This helps them feel more in control of the situation and familiar with what’s on their plate. Eggs are a relatively easy dish to prepare, which means it’s easy to get kids of any age involved.
Before you begin, explain the different egg styles to your child – scrambled, poached, sunny side up, etc. Allow your child to choose what style you make and go from there.
Think of age-appropriate tasks your toddler can do to help make the eggs, like whisking or adding a pinch of salt. Allow them to watch from a safe distance as you cook the eggs up on the stove.
Set Up An Omelet Station
Another way to get your child involved in the preparation is to set up an omelet station. Prepare a variety of ingredients your family may like in their omelet – bacon, onions, cheese, etc. Lay them out in dishes or bowls, so everyone can go through and prepare a handful of what they want in their eggs. Then, fry the omelet up and serve them.
Not only is this an effective way to get kids to eat eggs, but it’s a fun bonding activity that can take family meals up an entire notch.
Use Your Child’s Favorite Foods
Another great thing about eggs is that they can be used with a variety of other ingredients. Eggs aren’t very flavorful on their own, meaning they can be paired with a wide variety of other food items. Use your child’s favorite food as inspiration.
For example, if your toddler loves sandwiches, offer them an egg salad sandwich or a breakfast sandwich wrap. Or, if your child has a thing for salad, cut a hard-boiled egg and put the pieces on top. Of course, please ensure the way you serve the egg is age-appropriate and doesn’t have any safety hazards or potential allergens.
Consider An Egg Holder
In some cases, changing up the presentation is all it takes to encourage a toddler to try something new. Consider serving your child a hard-boiled egg in a special egg holder. Having something special can help your toddler feel excited about eating eggs.
Don’t just pick up any egg cup. Make sure it’s something your child will be drawn to, like their favorite color or featuring a favorite cartoon character. Lucie Kaas suggests going for an egg holder that bears a resemblance to your child, with a face and matching hair color, to make it feel more personalized. You can pick up ones for every family member to take egg eating to the next level in your household.
Learn Where Eggs Come From
Eggs are a pretty cool food when you think about it, and they have a long journey from chicken to plate. Helping your child understand where eggs come from can help them develop a newfound appreciation for this protein source. Pick up some age-appropriate books from your local library about where eggs come from.
To be fair, finding children’s books on such a niche subject may be difficult. Alternatively, you can do some of your own research online and develop a child-friendly way to relay it back to your toddler.
Serve Eggs In A Fun Shape
Finally, another way to switch up the presentation of the eggs is to serve them in a fun shape. Mama Knows Nutrition suggests using cookie cutters to create cool shapes out of an omelet.
So long as the cutters aren’t sharp (look for silicone or plastic), this can be a step your toddler helps with, provided you keep a watchful eye on them. This can make the meal prep feel more like a game or craft to your child, thus helping them feel encouraged to try out their final product.
Sources: Fine Dining Lovers, Lucie Kaas, The Spruce Eats, Mama Knows Nutrition, Good Food,
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