Why do they say not to give baby egg whites - only egg yolks until after a year?

Question

my son is 7 months has no allergies so far and he has eaten eggs (both yolk and white) and had no allergy to it.

is there any other reason besides allergies they say this? i actually thought egg whites were more healthy than the yolk.

if he has no allergy is it okay to eat all of the egg or is it unhealthy for some reason?

Answer 1

He's fine. A lot of kids end up with allergies. My daughter was the same way, eating scrambled eggs for breakfast at that age. Of course, 13 months later and she won't touch them, lol.

Good luck!  

Answer 2

The only reason I've ever heard is allergies. Ask your doctor about it. If your kid is close to a year old I'd start them on it but moniter them. I asked my mom this same question and her answer was... " Both you kids ate both the yolk and the whites and you turned out fine"

Good luck!

Answer 3

Technically it says to hold off on egg whites until your baby is a year old, only for allergy related reasons.

Egg whites: Your baby can eat egg yolks now, but wait a year on the protein-rich whites because he may be allergic to them. In fact, if you think your baby is at high risk for allergies, you may want to delay giving him egg whites until he's 2.

I didnt find any thing else on why they would be harmful. Its just a guideline, but to be on the safe side. YOU  might want to check with your baby's pediatrician to make sure its ok.

Answer 4

the egg white contains the protein lecithin, which could incite allergies if baby is exposed too soon.  just like peanut butter, they say not to introduce it too soon, bc a baby's system is still immature and they could develop allergies.  

most likely your child will be fine, but there are certain foods that we should hold off on - this is one of them.

Answer 5

The reason that doctors prefer babies not to eat egg whites before a year old is because their little bodies have a hard time digesting the proteins and of course allergies. Another no-no food...peanut butter. DO NOT give him peanut butter until he is 2 years old. Nut allergies can be deadly!! Honey is actually okay after he turns 1 too.

Answer 6

The egg yolk has a lot of fat that the baby needs. The egg yolk is what the baby chick uses for nutrition if the egg is fertilized.

The protein in egg whites might not be so good for the baby, so that is the reasoning behind the advice.

Answer 7

They say no egg whites, because that is what the majority of people are allergic to if they have an egg allergy.

I use to scramble egg yolks for my daughter and the whites for me,  but if he's already had them and has not had a reaction, I think it's absolutely fine to give it to him.

Good luck!