Britons are flocking to gardens and parks this weekend to hunt for eggs as part of the Easter Hunt.
But a nutritionist has discovered how, according to ancient tradition, people spend their holidays in bed with diarrhoea, vomiting and fever.
If eggs are not cooked properly, the colorful snack can become a source of salmonella.
And those who eat eggs left out for hours run the risk of food poisoning as the delicacy becomes a “breeding ground” for bacteria.
Dr. Richard Allison, a nutritionist, said the eggs cooked for your hunt “must be taken seriously” so they don’t become a source of illness.
An Easter egg hunt, believed to have come to Germany in the 15th century, involves hard-boiling eggs, decorating the shell and hiding them in the open.
An Easter egg hunt, believed to have originated in Germany in the 15th century, involves hard-boiling eggs, decorating the shell and hiding them in the open.
Dr Allison, who leads the Sports Nutrition and Recreation Clinic at the Institute for Sport, Exercise and Health, noted that while the activity has become an “integral part” of the Easter tradition, “it’s important to be careful when you eat these eggs. permit.” .
“Eggs should be taken seriously when it comes to cooking, as they can be a potential source of foodborne illness if not properly handled and cooked,” he said.
He explained that undercooked eggs can contain salmonella, which can lead to food poisoning.
Dr Richard Allison, head of nutrition for Tottenham Hotspur’s women’s team, explains the dangers and ways you can avoid an uncomfortable Easter.
Salmonella attacks the intestinal tract and causes symptoms such as nausea and stomach cramps that appear within 12 to 72 hours of infection.
The common bacterial illness usually lasts four to seven days. However, in severe cases, the infection can spread to the bloodstream, requiring prompt treatment with antibiotics.
Young children, people over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at greater risk of developing serious illness from salmonella food poisoning.
To reduce the risk of salmonella contamination from eggs, they should be boiled for 10 to 12 minutes.
However, The Herbal Life’s nutritionist said overcooking eggs can make them “tough and rubbery,” making them less enjoyable to eat.
He found that the nutritional value of eggs also changes with cooking time.
DR Allison, who is also head of nutrition for the Tottenham Hotspur women’s team, said: “Raw or undercooked eggs contain avidin which can interfere with the absorption of biotin, a B vitamin which is important for metabolism.
“Overcooking eggs can lead to nutrient depletion, especially heat-sensitive vitamins such as vitamin B12 and folic acid.”
But even the perfect egg cooking does not guarantee that the Easter egg hunt will remain disease-free.
If boiled eggs are kept too long — two hours or more — they can become a “breeding ground for bacteria,” he noted.
Warm temperatures increase this risk.
“Temperatures at this time of year can vary throughout the day, with sporadic frost on the ground in the morning followed by warm and sunny afternoons,” said Dr. allison
In addition to causing eggs to spoil and develop an unpleasant smell and taste, it can also make them inedible due to the increased risk of food poisoning, he added.
Where not to hide eggs this Easter
Charlotte Faure Green, a BANT registered dietitian, said: “Although the risk of eggs containing the harmful salmonella bacteria (common in poultry products) has decreased in the UK, there is still a chance that eggs contain them and especially in children are susceptible to a bad case of food poisoning.’
She recommends avoiding the following hiding places:
- In direct sunlight, for example on a windowsill
- Near radiators
- In linen closets or near water heaters
- In bathrooms or near pipes under the floor
- In playrooms or anywhere they can be discovered later
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Crystal Leahy is an author and health journalist who writes for The Fashion Vibes. With a background in health and wellness, Crystal has a passion for helping people live their best lives through healthy habits and lifestyles.
