The humble egg has impressive health credentials. Nutritionist Jo Lewin shares recipes, nutritional highlights, and tips on choosing a good egg.
An introduction to eggs...
Both the white and yolk of an egg are rich in nutrients - proteins, vitamins, and minerals with the yolk also containing cholesterol, fat-soluble vitamins, and essential fatty acids. Eggs are also an important and versatile ingredient for cooking, as their particular chemical make up is literally the glue of many important baking reactions.
Since the domestication of the chicken, people have been enjoying and nourishing themselves with eggs. As a long time symbol of fertility and rebirth, the egg has taken its place in religious as well as culinary history. In Christianity, the symbol of the decorated egg has become synonymous with Easter. There are lots of different types of egg available, the most commonly raised are chicken eggs while more gourmet choices include duck, goose and quail eggs.
Nutritional highlights
Eggs are a very good source of inexpensive, high-quality protein. More than half the protein of an egg is found in the egg white along with vitamin B2 and lower amounts of fat than the yolk. Eggs are rich sources of selenium, vitamin D, B6, B12 and minerals such as zinc, iron, and copper. Egg yolks contain more calories and fat than the whites. They are a source of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K, and lecithin - the compound that enables emulsification in recipes such as hollandaise or mayonnaise.
Some brands of egg now contain omega-3 fatty acids, depending on what the chickens have been fed (always check the box). Eggs are regarded as a 'complete' source of protein as they contain all nine essential amino acids; the ones we cannot synthesize in our bodies and must obtain from our diet.
One medium egg (boiled) contains:
84 calories
|
8.3g protein
|
5.7g fat
|
1.6g sat fat
|
Did you know...
A study published in Paediatrics magazine has suggested that giving young children just one egg a day for six months, alongside a diet with reduced sugar-sweetened foods, may help them achieve a healthy height and prevent stunting.
The cholesterol question
For years eggs were considered more of a health risk than healthy food. This is because they were considered a high cholesterol food, so those with high cholesterol levels were advised to avoid them. We now know that the cholesterol found in food has much less of an effect on our blood cholesterol than the amount of saturated fat we eat. If you’ve been advised by your GP to change your diet in an attempt to reduce your blood cholesterol levels, the best thing to do is to keep to daily guideline intakes for saturated fat (20g for the average woman and 30g for the average man) opting instead for mono-unsaturated fats found in olive and rapeseed oils. It's also a good idea to increase your intake of fruit, vegetables, and fiber whilst minimizing sugars and refined carbs.
If you are concerned about your cholesterol or are unsure whether it is safe for you to consume eggs please consult your GP.
Eggs for health
Eggs are rich in several nutrients that promote heart health such as betaine and choline. A recent study of nearly half a million people in China suggests that eating one egg a day may reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, although experts stress that eggs need to be consumed as part of a healthy lifestyle in order to be beneficial.
During pregnancy and breastfeeding, an adequate supply of choline is particularly important, since choline is essential for normal brain development.
Eggs are a useful source of Vitamin D which helps to protect bones, preventing osteoporosis and rickets. Shop wisely because the method of production – free range, organic or indoor raised can make a difference to vitamin D content. Eggs should be included as part of a varied and balanced diet. They are filling and when enjoyed for breakfast may help with weight management as part of a weight loss program, as the high protein content helps us to feel fuller for longer.
Quail eggs...
Quail eggs have a similar flavor to chicken eggs, but their petite size (five quail eggs are usually equal to one large chicken egg) and pretty, speckled shell have made them popular in gourmet cooking. The shells range in color from dark brown to blue or white. Quail eggs are often hard-boiled and served with sea salt.
Duck eggs...
Duck eggs look like chicken eggs but are larger. As with chicken eggs, they are sold in sizes ranging from small to large. Duck eggs have more protein and are richer than chicken eggs, but they also have a higher fat content. When boiled, the white turns bluish and the yolk turns red-orange.
How to select and store
Choose eggs from free-range or organically raised chickens. Eggs should always be visually inspected before buying. It is best to check for cracks or liquid in the box to ensure there are no broken ones. Eggs are best stored in the refrigerator where they may remain for up to one month (check the best-before-date on the box). Eggs with higher omega-3 fatty acid content are best eaten as early as possible to keep these oils fresh.
Safety
The main safety concern used to be salmonella food poisoning, but the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has recently changed its guidelines on eating runny eggs. They now say that infants, children, pregnant women, and elderly people can safely eat raw or lightly cooked eggs that are produced under the British Lion Code of Practice. Visit the FSA website for more information.
Another safety concern regarding eggs is that they are a common food allergen, particularly among young children. See your GP if you have any concerns regarding allergies to eggs.
Enjoyed this? Now read...
This article was last reviewed on 6th December 2018 by Kerry Torrens.
Kerry Torrens is a qualified Nutritionist (MBANT) with a post-graduate diploma in Personalised Nutrition & Nutritional Therapy. She is a member of the British Association for Nutrition and Lifestyle Medicine (BANT) and a member of the Guild of Food Writers. Over the last 15 years, she has been a contributing author to a number of nutritional and cookery publications including BBC Good Food.
Jo Lewin works as a Community Nutritionist and private consultant. She is a Registered Nutritionist (Public Health) registered with the UKVRN. Visit her website at www.nutrijo.co.uk or follow her on Twitter @nutri_jo.
All health content on bbcgoodfood.com is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. If you have any concerns about your general health, you should contact your local health care provider. See our website terms and conditions for more information.
No comments:
Post a Comment