Since the age of 6 months, babies can be given complementary foods, including eggs and their products. Mothers can give your little one chicken eggs, quail eggs, or duck eggs. However, which egg is the best of the three types of eggs?
Eggs are a source of animal protein that is easy to find and relatively affordable. In addition, eggs also contain important vitamins and minerals needed for the growth and development of your little one.
Types of Eggs and Their Content
Although both consist of egg whites and egg yolks, the nutritional content of chicken, duck, and quail eggs is different. For more details, let's see the following explanation:
Chicken eggs
Chicken eggs are a type of egg that is quite easy to find and is liked by many people. One chicken egg contains approximately 70 calories and a variety of the following nutrients:
- Fat: 5 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Sodium: 60 milligrams
- Calcium: 25 milligrams
- Potassium: 60 milligrams
- Choline: 140 milligrams
Chicken eggs sold in the market are usually divided into two types, namely domestic chicken eggs and native chicken eggs. Domestic chicken egg shells are generally brown in color, while native chicken egg shells are white and tend to be smaller in size.
The nutritional content of native chicken eggs is not much different from domestic chicken eggs. However, free-range chickens are thought to have a special gene that makes their eggs cleaner from bacteria Salmonella compared to domestic chicken eggs.
Quail eggs
Quail eggs are eggs that come from quail. Unlike chicken eggs, quail eggs are much smaller in size. The shell is cream colored with brown and black spots.
Although small in size, quail eggs are also rich in nutrients, you know. One serving of quail eggs consists of 4-5 eggs. Here is the approximate nutritional content of one serving of quail eggs:
- Calories: 75 calories
- Fat: 5.5 g
- Protein: 6.5 g
- Sodium: 25 milligrams
- Calcium: 8 milligrams
- Potassium: 110 milligrams
- Choline: 30 milligrams
In addition, quail eggs are also rich in antioxidants that function to ward off free radicals, repair damaged body cells, and are believed to be able to overcome allergy symptoms. This type of egg is delicious to mix into soup, you know, Bun.
Duck egg
Duck eggs have a larger size than chicken and quail eggs. Duck egg shells are even more unique because they are blue-green. The following is an estimate of the nutritional content of one duck egg:
- Calories: 146 calories
- Fat: 11 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Sodium: 345 milligrams
- Calcium: 50.5 milligrams
- Potassium: 175 milligrams
- Choline: 165 milligrams
So, which is the best egg for your little one? When compared, duck eggs have the highest protein and choline content. Protein is needed by the little one in the process of growth and development, while choline is very important for eye health and brain development.
Therefore, duck eggs will be very suitable as complementary food for babies who are born prematurely, have a history of low birth weight or are pursuing their ideal weight.
The antioxidant content in quail eggs is thought to be able to protect body tissues from damage, even being able to relieve allergy symptoms. That is why, these eggs are good for babies who are at risk for allergies or often get sick.
Although the protein content is not as high as duck eggs or quail eggs, it does not mean that chicken eggs are not useful. Chicken eggs are still a good source of protein for babies. In addition, chicken eggs tend to be cheaper and easier to obtain.
Both chicken eggs, quail eggs, and duck eggs can be given to your little one, how come. However, make sure the eggs you buy are fresh eggs, okay?
Egg consumption is recommended 2-3 times per week. Mothers can boil, fry, or mix eggs into the little one's food. MPASI from eggs is suitable for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
Make sure you cook the eggs until they are completely cooked, okay? Undercooked eggs can contain bacteria Salmonella which can cause food poisoning.
If your little one has just started solids, you can just give him 1/3 of a chicken egg or duck egg in one meal. For quail eggs, Mother can give it as much as 1-2 eggs.
If your little one experiences watery eyes, swollen lips, red rash on the skin, or an itchy and runny nose after eating eggs, immediately consult a doctor. This condition could be a sign of an allergic reaction.