Eating a Nutritious Diet with an Egg Allergy
Other Food Sources for Important Nutrients Found in This Allergen
Sep 20, 2009
One of the concerns with food allergies is that eliminating the food allergens may interfere with eating a well-balanced and nutritious diet.
With an egg allergy there are ways to replace the egg with other healthy foods in order to maintain the same level of nutritious eating.
Important Nutrients Found in Eggs
There are several known important nutrients found in eggs:
- Biotin (Vitamin B7) – is essential for many body processes that manufacture and break down fats, amino acids and carbohydrates.
- Folate (folic acid) – the main function is to maintain the genetic code of cells and regulate cell division, as well as the transfer of inherited traits from one cell to another. It is essential for the growth and maintenance of all cells.
- Pantothenic acid (calcium pantothenate, vitamin B3) – is converted to coenzyme A, which helps break down fats, carbohydrates and proteins for energy. It also functions in the production of fats, cholesterol, bile, vitamin D, red blood cells and some hormones and neurotransmitters.
- Riboflavin (vitamin B2) – is essential for the normal release of energy from carbohydrate, fat and protein in food. Important for normal growth and development, the production of and regulation of certain hormones, and the formation of red blood cells.
- Selenium – the most important known function is as a component of the antioxidant enzyme glutathione peroxidase, which protects red blood cells and cell membranes from damage by highly reactive oxygen fragments.
- Cyanocobalamin (vitamin B12) – is necessary for normal processing of carbohydrate, protein and fat in the body. It is important for the normal production of certain amino acids and fats in the formation and maintenance of the nervous system.
Other Food Sources for Important Nutrients Found in Egg
The important nutrients found in egg can be obtained from other food sources:
Biotin
Biotin is also found in liver, soy flour and whole grain products.
Folate
Folate is also found in liver, legumes, fruits, orange juice, green leafy vegetables, whole grains and enriched cereals.
Pantothenic Acid
Pantothenic acid is also found in meat, poultry, fish, whole grain products and legumes.
Riboflavin
Riboflavin is also found in meat, poultry, fish, dairy products and green leafy vegetables.
Selenium
Selenium is also found in meat and seafood.
Cyanocobalamin
Cyanocobalamin is also found in meat, fish, poultry and dairy products.
When an allergy sufferer removes eggs from her diet, eating certain other healthy foods can help to replace the nutrients obtained from this food allergen.
Note: It is very important for nutrition purposes that a food allergy be accurately diagnosed by a health care professional.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for information purposes only. It is not a substitute for medical attention and supervision.
Sources:
Barber, Marianne S. The Parent’s Guide to Food Allergies: Clear and Complete Advice from the Experts on Raising Your Food-allergic Child. New York: Henry Holt and Company, 2001.
Rhude Yoder, Eileen. The Allergy-free Cookbook: How to Avoid the Eight Major Food Allergens and Eat Happily Ever After. Philadelphia, PA: Running Press Book Publishers, 1987, 2009.
Anderson, A. Flourishing With Food Allergies: Social, Emotional, and Practical Guidance for Families with Young Children. Southbury, CT: Papoose Publishing, 2008.
Somer, Elizabeth. The Essential Guide to Vitamins and Minerals. New York, NY: HarperPerennial, 1992.
For other articles about food allergies see Information About Seafood Allergies, Information About Milk Allergy and Food Challenge Testing and Diagnosing Allergies.
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