Despite the many benefits of eggs—often the first food a mother introduces to her baby, followed by yogurt, when starting complementary feeding alongside breastfeeding—many mothers notice that their child refuses to eat eggs. This is a common concern. A child’s appetite for eggs is not always consistent; sometimes they may reject them completely.
Mothers should pay close attention to offering eggs because of their remarkable—almost “magical”—benefits when given daily during a child’s growth stages. Sayidaty & Your Child spoke exclusively with clinical nutrition consultant Dr. Nour Al-Huda Jaber, who highlighted three amazing benefits of eggs for children when consumed daily, including increased height, improved appetite, and enhanced intelligence—along with creative ways to serve eggs so children don’t refuse them, such as pairing them with avocado and other nutritious options.
3 Magical Benefits of Eggs for Your Child
1. Increasing a Child’s Height
Make it a habit to offer boiled eggs daily. Scientific research has shown that eggs play a real role in increasing height in children who do not have genetically short stature. Eggs help boost growth hormone levels and strengthen bones and muscles. Since muscles support bones, strong muscles contribute significantly to healthy bone growth during childhood.
A child’s height stops increasing at a certain age, so mothers should make the most of the years before that by following proper nutritional guidance to help their child reach an appropriate height. Short stature can cause psychological issues for children and may be related to nutrition, not only genetics.
2. Improving a Child’s Appetite
Some foods are commonly believed to make children feel full—such as eggs or popcorn, especially when offered in the evening to children struggling with obesity. However, eggs in particular can actually stimulate appetite, contradicting common beliefs.
If your child often has a poor appetite, try serving eggs at breakfast. You’ll likely notice a clear improvement in their appetite and willingness to eat other meals throughout the day.
3. Boosting a Child’s Intelligence
Eggs contain choline, a natural chemical compound essential for building nerve cells in the brain. Adequate choline intake strengthens memory centers and reduces forgetfulness. This is why eggs are often recommended daily for older adults to help protect against Alzheimer’s disease.
For infants and young children, eggs help strengthen memory—especially during school years—stimulate brain activity, support healthy brain development, and protect against neurological diseases.
General Benefits of Eggs for Children
Offer eggs boiled or cooked in healthy ways, such as frying with olive oil, natural butter, or using an air fryer—especially during winter and seasonal transitions. Boiled eggs contain a compound called ovomicroglobulin, which helps reduce symptoms of colds and flu, while also fighting harmful bacteria that can cause digestive disorders.
Get creative by exploring different recipes so your child doesn’t get bored. Eggs help protect children’s eyes from common eye diseases—especially those related to the retina—and are linked to heart and cardiovascular health. They also help prevent anemia and are often recommended for children with malnutrition symptoms such as paleness, weakness, and low energy.
Despite their healthy fat content, eggs help protect children from unhealthy obesity. Their high-quality protein supports hair growth, density, and appearance—important during rapid growth stages when hair may appear weak or dull. Shiny hair is a general sign of good health.
Eggs are rich in essential minerals and vitamins. They’re an excellent source of natural animal protein that supports cell repair and muscle strength, and they contain calcium and selenium—both crucial for teething in infants. Introducing eggs from six months of age can help speed up tooth eruption and reduce teething pain.
Why Do Children Refuse to Eat Eggs?
Children may reject eggs because they dislike their appearance or texture. Doctors and psychologists note that children can be wary of foods that are slippery or difficult to hold—like a whole boiled egg without its shell. Young children prefer foods they can grip easily, such as strips or small shapes.
Before the age of one, a baby may reject any new food if it’s introduced after they’re already full from breastfeeding. Babies are also in an exploratory phase, knowing there are many food options. If they reject one item, like eggs, they may not feel the need to return to it—unless it’s reintroduced after a few days in a new form.
Never offer raw eggs to children. One reason children may dislike eggs is the taste of raw eggs. Contrary to some beliefs, raw eggs are not healthier and can be a source of dangerous salmonella infection, which may cause serious digestive symptoms.
Creative Ways to Serve Eggs to Your Child
1. Eggs with Avocado
Mash a ripe avocado with a well-boiled egg and add a little olive oil. This creates a complete, filling meal. Avocado adds healthy fats that promote satiety, muscle growth, and physical fitness. This meal is ideal for dinner and may even help your child sleep better due to sustained fullness.
2. Eggs with Garlic
Garlic is a powerful natural food known for its medicinal and immune-boosting properties for thousands of years. Add garlic to boiled eggs, or mash a small amount and sprinkle it evenly over eggs fried in olive oil or natural ghee. This combination supports heart and vascular health and helps protect children from infections, especially during seasonal changes.
3. Eggs with Onions
This is a traditional recipe where chopped onions—preferably green onions—and parsley are mixed with eggs and cooked into small patties (often called egg fritters). You can also add finely chopped green onions or a small amount of onion juice to boiled eggs, along with a pinch of salt and olive oil.
Raw onion retains more of its benefits, as heat reduces its nutritional value. When combined with eggs, onions act as antioxidants, strengthening immunity and helping protect children from colds, flu, and winter illnesses.
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