Eggs and egg yolks, in particular, are still often seen as an unhealthy food that should be limited. So for anyone that has these doubts, it is time to set the record straight
Eggs (in their whole form) are extremely nutritious, and they are well deserving of their title “nature’s multivitamin”
Eggs are a good source of protein, with a medium egg providing roughly 7g
If you’ve been told to stick to the whites and skimp on the yolk. Well… don’t! While the whites are a great source of protein, the yolk is actually what makes eggs such a nutritional powerhouse. Providing us with…
Vitamins: A, D, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12
Micronutrients: Selenium, Phosphorus, Chloride, Manganese, Iodine, Choline, Lutein, Zeaxanthin
Dietary fats: primarily unsaturated (monounsaturated + polyunsaturated), a small amount of saturated fat and even omega-3 fatty acids (depending on what they were fed)
… But what about cholesterol?
Eggs got a bad rap because they are high in dietary cholesterol - but research has shown us that the cholesterol found in food only has a minor effect on the level of cholesterol in your blood
Whereas dietary/ factors such as high saturated + trans fat intake, low fibre intake (fruit, veg, pulses, grains), high alcohol intake + smoking have a much more significant influence on the body's cholesterol levels
Therefore, there is no actual ‘recommended egg limit’ for the general population or those with heart disease. The only exception to this may be those with familial hypercholesterolemia, however even then intake would be assessed on a case-by-case basis to determine a recommended weekly consumption amount.
Does this mean I would eat 10 eggs a day? Nope! But what it does mean is that we know eggs are nutritious and are certainly a fantastic addition as part of a balanced diet. Personally, I have eggs (2-3) a few times a week - a favourite breakfast of mine!
Most of us have also probably felt the pinch of produce prices increasing across the board, so the affordability and convenience of eggs also shouldn’t be overlooked, particularly as they provide so much bang for our buck in terms of the nutrients they provide.
