Think Twice Before Pairing: 6 Foods You Shouldn’t Eat with Eggs

Eggs are a powerhouse of nutrition, packed with protein, healthy fats, and essential vitamins that support everything from your brain to your muscles. But the way you combine them with other foods can affect their benefits. Certain pairings can make nutrients harder to absorb or even lead to indigestion.

Here are six common foods you may want to reconsider pairing with eggs.

1. Soy Milk

Drinking a glass of soy milk with your morning eggs might seem like a smart, healthy choice, but it's not the best combination. Eggs contain a protein called avidin, which can interfere with your body's absorption of biotin, a key B vitamin found in soy. Additionally, soy milk contains compounds that can hinder the digestion of protein in eggs.

Better option: Enjoy soy milk and eggs separately, or pair your eggs with cow's milk or another non-soy beverage.

2. Tea

Tea is a popular breakfast drink, but it may do more harm than good when consumed with eggs. Tea contains tannins, which can bind to the iron and protein in eggs, making these nutrients harder for your body to absorb. Over time, this could contribute to an iron deficiency, especially if your diet is already low in iron.

What to do instead: Try drinking water or fresh juice with your eggs. If you can't skip your morning tea, drink it at least an hour before or after your meal.

3. Sugar

Adding sugar to eggs in sweet omelets or desserts might taste good, but the combination can lead to a chemical reaction that reduces protein quality and makes digestion more difficult. This can result in bloating or discomfort, especially if you eat these dishes often.

Healthier alternative: Season your eggs with herbs, vegetables, or a little salt for a more balanced and digestible meal.

4. Rabbit Meat

Although it's not a common pairing today, some traditional diets combine rabbit meat and eggs. Nutrition experts advise against it because both foods are extremely high in protein. Consuming them together can overload the digestive system and lead to stomach upset or diarrhea.

Pro tip: If you include rabbit in your diet, eat it separately from your egg-based meals.

5. Persimmons

This might be a surprising one, but eggs and persimmons should not be eaten together. Persimmons are rich in tannins, which can react with the protein in eggs to form sticky clumps in your stomach. This can cause indigestion, nausea, or abdominal pain, and in severe cases, it can trigger symptoms similar to food poisoning.

Best practice: Eat persimmons at a different time of day, ideally a few hours apart from any dishes containing eggs.

6. Too Much Cheese or Processed Meats

A cheesy omelet with bacon is a delicious breakfast classic, but combining eggs with large amounts of cheese, ham, or bacon regularly is a nutritional red flag. These pairings are typically high in fat, sodium, and cholesterol, which can be hard on your digestive system and increase your long-term risk of heart disease.

A better choice: Add vegetables like spinach, tomatoes, or mushrooms to your eggs. You'll get more fiber, antioxidants, and vitamins without the heavy, processed load.

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Final Thoughts

Eggs are one of the most versatile and nourishing foods you can eat, but the way you pair them matters. By being mindful of these combinations, you can make the most of their health benefits and ensure your body digests them properly. For a truly healthy meal, stick to wholesome pairings that enhance digestion and nutrient absorption.