Eggs: Now More Incredible Than Ever
By: Tanya Jolliffe,
SparkPeople Blogger
2/14/2011 11:30 AM
: 75 comments
: 12,664 Views
A certain amount of cholesterol is necessary by the body for proper physiological and structural function. Too much of it can have negative health consequences. Since cholesterol levels are influenced by your genetic makeup, your diet and certain lifestyle choices, controlling it can be a challenge.
According to the newly released 2010 Dietary Guidelines, eggs and egg dishes comprise approximately 25% of total dietary cholesterol intake in the American diet. Over four decades of research suggests that healthy adults can enjoy eating as much as one egg per day. Nutrition data released last week suggests the nutritional content of eggs may be even better than previously thought.
Eggs are packed with nutrition. One egg contains only about 70 calories and is a rich source of high biological value protein as well as lots of vitamins or minerals. Although most known for the cholesterol they contain, eggs are also a natural source of vitamin D. One egg provides as much as 10 percent of the RDA necessary to help with calcium absorption as well as forming and maintaining strong bones.
The research released last week found that eggs are 14 percent lower in cholesterol and 64% higher in vitamin D than previously found when evaluated back in 2002. On average, a large egg now contains 185 mg of cholesterol and 41 IU of vitamin D. The exact reason for the improved egg nutrition compared to data from 2002 is unclear. However, some researchers believe it may be the result of intentional improvements to the feed provided to laying hens. Whatever the reasons for the egg nutritional improvements, at about 15 cents a nutrition packed serving, the egg remains as incredible as ever.
What do you think of this new egg information? Will it change your egg eating habits? Share your favorite way to enjoy eggs.
According to the newly released 2010 Dietary Guidelines, eggs and egg dishes comprise approximately 25% of total dietary cholesterol intake in the American diet. Over four decades of research suggests that healthy adults can enjoy eating as much as one egg per day. Nutrition data released last week suggests the nutritional content of eggs may be even better than previously thought.
Eggs are packed with nutrition. One egg contains only about 70 calories and is a rich source of high biological value protein as well as lots of vitamins or minerals. Although most known for the cholesterol they contain, eggs are also a natural source of vitamin D. One egg provides as much as 10 percent of the RDA necessary to help with calcium absorption as well as forming and maintaining strong bones.
The research released last week found that eggs are 14 percent lower in cholesterol and 64% higher in vitamin D than previously found when evaluated back in 2002. On average, a large egg now contains 185 mg of cholesterol and 41 IU of vitamin D. The exact reason for the improved egg nutrition compared to data from 2002 is unclear. However, some researchers believe it may be the result of intentional improvements to the feed provided to laying hens. Whatever the reasons for the egg nutritional improvements, at about 15 cents a nutrition packed serving, the egg remains as incredible as ever.
What do you think of this new egg information? Will it change your egg eating habits? Share your favorite way to enjoy eggs.
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Comments
: - 2/18/2011 12:54:29 PM
My absolute favorite egg dish is one our family has always called "George Eggs" (from a neighbor who loved them) -- butter a piece of bread, cut a hole in the middle, put in a frying pan and break and egg in the hole -- and fry up the little bread round too, natch!
And, not to be a debbie downer, but "free range" eggs may not be all they're cracked up (sorry!) to be -- the terms "free range" and "cage free" don't necessarily mean what you might think. (See this article for more info: http://lowcarbdiets.about.com/od/lo
wcarbsuperfoods/a/cagefreeeggsdef.h
tm ). A better choice than conventionally-raised, probably, but the best is to try and get to know a farmer (from a farmer's market) that sells eggs, or join a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) group -- you can get eggs directly from the source, and sometimes you can even go and see the farms/conditions. Plus, you have the added benefits of eating locally AND the eggs usually last much longer, since they're fresher!
I highly recommend CSA's, not just for eggs, but also for other produce. It can introduce you to new things, and to eating seasonally, plus, and it's a big plus, it supports small farmers rather than industrial agribusiness. At my work we have an arrangement with a CSA that delivers to us there -- a boon for the farmers, since they deliver to one place, and convenient for me and my coworkers. To find one in your area, you can go here: http://www.localharvest.org/csa /
Wow, didn't mean to write a book!!! Sorry, that seems to happen to me when I get to talking about things I'm passionate about!
Cheers! - 2/16/2011 3:35:06 PM
Eggs are an important source of protein in our household, pretty much our meat source apart from fish. - 2/15/2011 10:32:22 PM
A lot of the egg's valuable nutrition is in the yolk--what a waste to throw it away, as many people do to minimize calories or cholesterol. Eat the whole egg & enjoy it!
My favorite way to eat eggs is scrambled with spinach, mushrooms, & nonfat sour cream. - 2/15/2011 12:23:44 PM
LOL - 2/15/2011 1:19:41 AM
Some of the cholesteral might not be the eggs themselves but hereditary. I love them because there are so MANY ways to prepare them. - 2/14/2011 6:49:02 PM
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