Cholesterol-free egg substitutes can contain egg!

TODAY'S ALLERGEN TIP: Cholesterol free egg substitute (e.g. Eggbeaters®) can contain egg! Remember, some classic products were created for a different market - and during a different time. They weren't created to be allergen-free, but to market a product for the latest health demand. Allergens are different & can be immediately dangerous, so read your labels, and assume nothing!

Use Chia Seed Powder as an Egg Replacer

Just like Flax Seed Only Better

Ground flax seeds are becoming a common and very successful replacement for eggs, but did you know that you can also use chia seed powder?

I've been experimenting with this for the last several months (recipes coming soon) and the ratio of chia powder to liquid is 1 to 1, just like ground flax seed. In other words, 1 tablespoon (TBS) of ground chia seeds + 1 tablespoon (TBS) of water = 1 egg.

You can also use coffee or clear apple juice instead of water to add a little recipe appropriate flavor if making muffins or sweet breads.

Can you use whole chia?  You can, but chia seeds soak up a ton of water, so your bread or muffins will be more like pudding - very, very moist. So if you want your muffins to turn out like muffins, grind your chia seeds in a coffee grinder or food processor first, then measure.

Using chia seeds rather than flax also helps increase the ratio of non-fish-derived Omega 3's in your diet, since chia is heavier in Omega 3's than is flax seed.

Top Hidden Allergens: Strange Places You Find Egg

Ovotransferin, livetin, and Albumin.

Did you know that these words meant eggs?   Or that cholesterol-free egg substitutes contain egg?

A law put into place in 2006 by the FDA demands that any of the top 8 allergens be listed in plain English.  This includes egg.  However, there are foods that are not covered by this law, so it is good to become familiar with these terms, so that your intuition can perk up if you see them.  Better yet, if you are allergic to eggs or shopping for someone who is allergic to eggs, take this list with you.

Ingredients  / Products that usually Contain Eggs:

Albumin

Apovitellin

Cholesterol free egg substitute (e.g. Eggbeaters®)

Conalbumin

Dried egg solids, dried egg

Egg, egg white, egg yolk

Egg wash

Eggnog

Egg (whole)

Fat substitutes

Globulin

Livetin

Lysozyme

Mayonnaise

Meringue, meringue powder

Ovalbumin

Ovoglobulin

Ovomucin

Ovomucoid

Ovotransferrin

Ovovitelia

Ovovitellin

Powdered eggs

Silici albuminate

Simplesse

Trailblazer

Vitellin

May Contain Egg:

Artificial flavoring

Lecithin

Natural flavoring

Nougat

This list was supplemented with one from Kids with Food Allergies.