Eggs are among the taboo foods for children and pregnant women in several African cultures. The food taboos are more or less adhered to and one of the factors is education: the more educated people are more likely to free themselves from taboos. Therefore, the less educated people, who are also at higher nutritional risk, are probably those who would avoid eggs and consequently would need to be exposed to behavioral change communication to overcome the taboo.
Another type of egg taboo is that connected to the (now false) belief that because eggs are high in cholesterol, they increase the risk of CVD. There is now firm scientific evidence to show that eggs are not atherogenic.
Finally, the vegan trend would act as deterrent to consuming eggs (and other animal foods) and this could have adverse consequences for growing children. It has been shown some years ago that animal source foods are needed for optimal growth.
Hélène Delisle, Ph.D.
Professeur émérite et associé
Département de nutrition, Faculté de Médecine
Pavillon Liliane-Stewart, Université de Montréal
Prof. Hélène Delisle