Why good quality chicken and eggs are ideal for your child’s diet and improving nutritional health
When it comes to nourishing kids—especially those on the autism spectrum—high-quality, nutrient-dense foods can make a world of difference in supporting brain function, gut health, and overall wellbeing. Two powerhouse ingredients that deserve a place on your child’s plate are good quality chicken and pastured eggs. Here’s why:
1. Rich in Essential Nutrients for Brain and Nervous System Health
Chicken and pastured eggs provide key nutrients that support neurological development and cognitive function:
Choline – Essential for brain development, choline plays a crucial role in memory, learning, and nervous system function. Pastured eggs are one of the richest sources of choline, making them an excellent brain-boosting food.
Omega-3 Fatty Acids – If you opt for organic or pasture-raised chicken and eggs, you’ll get higher amounts of these anti-inflammatory fats, which support brain health, mood regulation, and reduced hyperactivity.
B Vitamins – Chicken and eggs are packed with B vitamins like B6 and B12, which are essential for neurotransmitter function, energy production, and reducing neurological stress.
2. Supports Gut Health and Reduces Inflammation
Children on the autism spectrum often experience gut challenges such as dysbiosis (imbalanced gut bacteria), food sensitivities, or inflammation. Choosing clean, high-quality protein sources can help support gut health by avoiding unnecessary additives and inflammatory ingredients.
No Harmful Additives – Conventional poultry and eggs can contain antibiotic residues, hormones, and inflammatory omega-6 fats due to poor-quality feed. Opting for pasture-raised or organic sources ensures you’re providing cleaner, nutrient-dense food.
Easier to Digest – Compared to highly processed meats, whole chicken and eggs are gentle on digestion and packed with bioavailable nutrients that support gut lining repair and microbial balance.
3. Protein for Growth, Development, and Stable Energy
Protein is the foundation of a healthy child’s diet, supporting muscle growth, immune function, and stable blood sugar levels. Many ASD children experience energy crashes or food-related mood swings, which can often be minimised with balanced, protein-rich meals.
Sustained Energy – Chicken and eggs provide high-quality protein that helps regulate blood sugar, keeping kids more focused and less prone to mood swings or meltdowns.
Essential Amino Acids – These building blocks are vital for neurotransmitter production, helping with mood stability, concentration, and overall mental wellbeing.
By choosing pasture-raised, organic, or free-range chicken and eggs, you’re ensuring your child gets the best possible nutrition without the downsides of conventionally farmed poultry.
Chicken and eggs are common in many family kitchens and meals but are often not the best/high quality, or used in healthy ways.
When shopping next, look for "pasture-raised" on the egg cartons and the fewest number of hens per hectare as possible. "Organic" doesn't guarantee pasture-raised. Basically we're after eggs from hens that spend loads of time on healthy grass (organically and regeneratively managed is ideal if you can find them) in the sunshine, foraging for bugs, and not all packed together in small spaces.
Chicken ideally should be organic and free-range. Chicken breast is the healthiest cut because it's lean which means the grains, toxins etc that end up concentrated in fat are in smaller amounts because it's mostly all muscle meat.
Supermarkets generally have little variety and you may need to source from an IGA, farmers market, butcher shops, online quality supplier etc. But some supermarkets do have the 'good' stuff.
If you can't find or afford the best quality, grab and use what you can. By eliminating/reducing other harmful ingredients (eg regular waffle ingredients) you'll still be doing a LOT of good for yours and your child's health and well-being!
Now that you know why these ingredients are so beneficial and how to source better quality options, let’s put them to good use in a delicious, nutrient-packed recipe - Chicken Waffles!
Or Chaffles?! 🤔
I actually made this recipe from inspiration I got from an Instagram I saw reel recently (as I often do; I see a recipe I like the look of but want to switch it to healthy/paleo!) and Clint, who usually only gives short and direct feedback and compliments, must have said about 10 times how much he enjoyed his waffles!
So when Clint likes something a lot you can easily assume kids will too haha 😉
A Delicious Recipe: Chicken Waffles
You do not have to include the bacon, cream and maple syrup (pictured above) but they go so well with these waffles!
This recipe doesn't make a large quantity, and each person generally doesn't need a lot, especially kids, because it's packed full of good protein and fat, making it very filling.
Ingredients
2 large chicken breasts or 3 smaller sized - pre-cooked, cold and roughly chopped
6 large eggs
1/4 cup green banana flour (optional but I like to add some flour to this recipe and this is my fave healthy option)
Salt to taste (mineral salt is best; Celtic, sea, lake, pink)
Good quality bacon (look for as natural and few ingredients as possible, eg no dextrose etc to stack on top
Pure full fat dairy cream or pure full fat coconut cream to drizzle on top
Pure Grade B maple syrup or local raw honey to drizzle on top
​Handy items to have
Waffle maker
Silicon tongs or spatula to remove waffles from the machine
Stick blender or food processor
Method
Simply blend the chicken, eggs, flour and salt in the stick blender (if chicken is cut quite small) or food processor (chicken chunks can be larger) until you reach a smooth consistency
Spoon some of the mixture onto the waffle iron (depending on your machine, you may have one waffle space or multiple) - I have a large one-space waffle machine so I half filled it each time and it gave me 4 fairly large but not full-sized waffles which were plenty for the two of us
Once lightly browned and cooked through remove and stack on one plate or individual plates.
To serve, add cooked bacon, a drizzle of cream and maple or honey and enjoy!
These would freeze well and could be thawed and reheated in the oven on a gentle temp or in an air fryer.
It's a nice combination of sweet and savoury when maple or honey are used, and the chicken of course isn't a strong savoury flavour. A nice balance I think!
I hope this recipe gives you some inspiration to use eggs and chicken in interesting and healthy ways , providing amazing nutrition boosts!
Aimee
Primal Health Coach
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