It’s National Egg Day
The egg has always been a staple breakfast item in American culture and is a healthy staple at that! Even though the protein found in egg whites is some of the highest quality protein we can consume, the egg yolk has gotten a bad reputation over the years because of its high level of cholesterol. Many people who are health and weight conscious tend to eliminate the yolk right away and eat only the egg whites and it remains controversial whether or not we should be so quick to throw away the yolk.
High cholesterol is a serious health risk that affects a large number of people throughout the country. The yolk of one large egg contains about 186 mg of cholesterol. For someone who has cardiovascular disease, diabetes or a high LDL (“bad”) cholesterol level, it is recommended that you should limit your dietary cholesterol to less than 200 mg a day. Therefore, one egg meets the recommended daily cholesterol intake for someone who has any of these conditions.
For a healthy person, your dietary cholesterol intake can be less than 300 mg a day. Though the cholesterol in an egg yolk is something we shouldn’t dismiss, research shows that saturated and trans-fat have a much bigger impact on blood cholesterol levels than actual dietary cholesterol. If you are worried about your cholesterol level, it might be more than the egg yolks in your breakfast that is contributing to your high cholesterol. Take a look at food items you are eating that contain high amounts of saturated fat or trans-fat and consider making some modifications.
A whole egg, including the yolk, is actually very nutrient rich and has many health benefits. One egg contains 7 grams of protein, which when included with your breakfast will help you feel fuller longer and stay energized which both contribute to weight management. Choline is an essential nutrient found in the egg yolk that contributes to better neurological function and reduced inflammation. More importantly, choline is essential for pregnant woman to ingest because it is linked with fetal brain development and prevents birth defects. Egg yolks also contain lutein and zeaxanthin which are nutrients that protect against vision loss.
Next time you eat eggs, don’t disregard all of the yolk. If you tend to eat egg whites with breakfast but prefer the taste of the whole egg, add one yolk to not only give extra flavor to your eggs but to also provide yourself with the wonderful nutrients the yolk has to offer! Try this in recipes as well! Happy National Egg Day!
Your turn to take action: What is your favorite way to eat eggs?
I love eggs. Fortunately, I have never had high cholesterol. I think that has more to do with my vibration and that my diet and exercise.
I eat what I want, just in moderation and include a lot of fresh fruits and veggies prepared deliciously. I eat real food and not processed stuff with chemicals.
I also do what I call the “shaky, shaky” exercise I found on the facebook page Attract A Better Life which does a lot for the body in 30 seconds a day. 🙂
This is good information. Happy Egg Day!
🙂
Kathy
Thanks Kathy. I have to check out “shaky, shaky”, sounds fun!
Bonnie,
We raise free-range hens, so our eggs are particularly delicious and nutritious (and I’m a bit proud of that, I’m sorry!). I love to fix eggs so many ways–I like to have a bowlful of them in the ‘fridge, boiled and ready for snacking, I love to scramble them and eat them with salsa in a tortilla, and of course fried with onions and made into sandwiches. Such a versatile, healthy protein, and they sure do get a bad rap, don’t they?
Yes, Amy, they really do get a bad rap! That’s so cool that you raise free-range hens!