On the surface, avoiding eggs doesn't seem to be too difficult, until you consider just how many of your favorite foods include eggs in some form or another. Eliminating eggs from your diet doesn't mean giving up favorite foods.
Egg Free Diets for Egg Allergies
There are many different proteins in eggs, and any of them can cause a reaction in the allergic individual. In fact, most people with egg allergies show sensitivity to several proteins, not just one. Most folks are allergic to egg whites, but egg yolks can also cause reactions in sensitive individuals. Some of the proteins that cause reactions are destroyed when heated, making them safe to consume, but other proteins are not affected by heat. In other words, depending on the proteins you are allergic to, you may be able to eat scrambled eggs, but eggs cooked sunny-side up, with a very loose yolk, might cause a reaction of some type. You may be able to consume the eggs that are used in baked goods without incident, or not.
It’s a tricky thing, these egg allergies. If you are not highly allergic to eggs, and do not suffer anaphylactic reactions to eggs or products that use eggs, you can test your reaction to eggs prepared in different ways. Your allergist can also test your sensitivity to egg white and egg yolks separately.
Nutrients in Eggs
The good news is that eggs provide your body with vitamins D, B12, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, selenium, and iron as well as several other vitamins. The better news is that all of these nutrients are easy found in many other foods including meats, whole grains and vegetables, so you probably won’t miss out on any nutrients on the egg free diet, as long as you eat healthy.
Eggs Replacers and Substitutes
More than finding alternative sources to replace the nutrients found in eggs, your first question might be how to replace eggs in food that you enjoy, and whether or not you will find an alternative substitute that will allow you to enjoy your favorite desserts or foods.
The answer is yes. Well, maybe.
There are egg replacers that can be used instead of eggs for baking. You can also make your own egg substitutions when baking, but beware that the consistency and/or tastes may change with the use of either store bought or homemade replacers.
There are web-based stores and aisles in your grocery store that specialize in egg free foods, to make cooking without eggs much easier. You can even get some common foods like pasta and pancake mixes that are egg free.
A web search for ‘egg free baking’ will bring you a whole host of sites that provide egg free recipes and egg free substitutes that you can easy make at home.
A little creativity goes along way on the egg free diet. Have fun, and try new things!