The ‘egg hack’: This is the the new trend parents are using to get their kids more protein without them knowing
In a viral TikTok post, a mother has shared a crafty way to boost the protein content in her children’s diet.
In a viral video watched by over 10 million internet users, a TikToker has shared a sneaky way of adding a healthy source of protein to her children’s diet.
The content creator emilycottle.tx says she surreptitiously cracks an egg into the mix when she cooks mac and cheese for her kids.
“I love this hack”, she told her TikTok followers, declaring: “My picky 3 year old has no idea and still eats it!”
@emilycottle.tx I love this hack to get more protein in my kids diet! #macncheese #pickyeater #momlife #foodie #foodhack
♬ son original - user11339327761
How does protein benefit kids’ health?
A macronutrient that plays a key role in ensuring the human body develops and functions properly, protein is an essential part of a growing child’s diet.
Per the U.S.’s Department of Agriculture (USDA), protein provides the “building blocks for bones, muscles, cartilage, skin, and blood”, and is a major source of the calories that give the human body the energy it needs.
How much protein is in eggs?
Eggs are a rich source of protein: per the USDA, a single large egg, weighing 50g, contains 6.3g of protein.
As the table below shows, this can represent up to around 50% of a child’s recommended daily intake of protein.
How much protein do kids need per day?
- Males/females aged 1 to 3: 13g
- Males/females aged 4 to 8: 19g
- Males aged 9 to 13: 34g
- Males aged 14 to 18: 52g
- Females aged 9 to 13: 34g
- Females aged 14 to 18: 46g
Source: U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)
“I love this trick”
Asked about emilycottle.tx’s ‘egg hack’, the nutrition expert Stefani Sassos told Good Housekeeping: “I love this trick!
“Adding an egg to mac and cheese is such an easy way to sneak in extra protein without changing the color or taste kids love.”
And when it comes to choosing a source of protein, eggs are among the healthiest out there, notes the USDA in its handbook Dietary Guidelines for Americans.
According to the USDA, other recommended protein foods include: lean meats, poultry, seafood, beans, peas, lentils, nuts, seeds, and soy products.
“Focus on where they are getting it from”
Ensuring kids’ protein intake is coming from healthy sources is crucial, says Mikie Rangel, a clinical dietitian at the Children’s Health paediatric hospital.
Rangel urges parents to make this their number-one consideration as they manage their children’s protein consumption.
“Most kids get enough protein in a day without putting too much pressure on them,” Rangel explains.
“Parents should really shift from worrying about how much protein their child is getting and focus more on where they are getting it from.”
Unhealthy sources of protein include fatty red meat; processed meats like hot dogs and salami; sweetened yogurt; and sugary protein bars.
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