Easter: The importance of Eggs on Your Plate

The custom of coloring and decorating eggs during Easter has a history that spans several centuries.

As noted by Britannica.com, this tradition can be traced back to the fifth century within both the Eastern Orthodox and Western churches.

During Holy Week, the consumption of eggs was prohibited, leading to the practice of boiling and dyeing chicken eggs red to represent the blood of Christ.

Easter serves as a time for Christians to remember the death, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus Christ.

Although the custom of dyeing eggs has persisted through the years, contemporary Christians now consume eggs during Holy Week.

Here are several benefits of including eggs in your diet:

Source of protein:
Protein is an essential nutrient necessary for growth, cellular repair, and overall development.

Registered dietitian nutritionists and public health experts have highlighted the importance of sufficient protein intake, particularly for children under the age of five.

Dr. Modupe Akinyinka, a Consultant Public Health Physician at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital in Ikeja, recommends that children in this age group should eat three to four eggs weekly, alongside a varied diet, to prevent stunting and underweight issues.

Dr. Akinyinka emphasizes the necessity of providing protein-rich foods to young children to support their growth.

She stated, “Children require protein because they are in a critical growth phase. Their cells are rapidly dividing, necessitating protein for proper development.
This early stage is when children need protein the most. It is crucial to provide them with sufficient meat and eggs. It is misguided for parents to withhold meat and eggs from their children out of fear that they will steal in the future.”
“Proteins like fish, meat, eggs, and crayfish are very essential for the growth of these children. If we don’t want to have children that are malnourished, we have to move away from traditions that are inimical to their health.”
“Children under five years should consume three or four eggs every week, plus other diverse diets. We encourage mothers to make sure their babies take different types of diets. You know that all these foods don’t contain one nutrient.”

Source of Dietary Cholesterol
Eggs serve as a significant source of dietary cholesterol, with a medium-sized egg (weighing 58g) containing approximately 200mg of cholesterol. Nevertheless, health professionals recommend consuming them in moderation. For adults, the suggested limit is up to three eggs per week, while children aged six months to five years are encouraged to eat one egg each day.

For Immune System Development
Professor Omotayo Adesiyun, a Paediatrics expert at the University of Ilorin in Kwara State, highlighted that eggs are rich in proteins, vitamins, and macronutrients, all of which are essential for eye health, brain development, immune system function, bone health, and muscle development.

She stated, “Eggs play a crucial role in the nutrition of children under five, not solely because their nutrients can be found in other foods, but because they are all present in one food source, eliminating the need to source them from various items. Eggs provide proteins, vitamins, and macronutrients that are vital for eye health, brain development, immune system function, bone health, and muscle health. While other nutrient sources, such as meat, fish, and milk, as well as vitamins from fruits and vegetables, exist, the unique advantage of eggs is their comprehensive nutrient profile.”

Affordable Source of Protein
In comparison to meat and fish, eggs are a more economical source of protein and are also convenient to buy and prepare.

However, the recent increase in egg prices may have discouraged many families, particularly those with children under five, from purchasing and consuming them.

Despite the rising costs, health experts encourage parents and the general public in Nigeria to incorporate eggs into their diets. Nutrition specialist James Oloyede remarked, “Nigerians often struggle to achieve a balanced diet using locally sourced foods. Many are unaware of which affordable protein options can be combined with other foods to create balanced meals. There are approximately ten food categories in the country, and the goal is to include at least five of these categories in one’s diet.”