Calories In One Cup Of Scrambled Eggs

Scrambled eggs are not low in calories, but they are inexpensive and a good source of protein. They are easy to prepare, as eggs can go from the refrigerator to the table in a matter of minutes. Eggs can be part of a healthy diet, although if you are watching your fat intake, you'll want to monitor your portion size.

Calories

One cup of scrambled eggs contains 328 calories, according to the USDA. A whopping 216 of those calories are from fat. The rest are comprised of protein and carbohydrate. Carbohydrate accounts for only 14 calories, however. Many people enjoy eating scrambled eggs as part of a low-carb diet for this reason.

Fat

A 1-cup serving of scrambled eggs contains a hefty 24 g of fat. Of this fat, 7 g is saturated, 10 g is monounsaturated and 5 g is polyunsaturated. Although a cup of scrambled eggs also contains 609 mg of cholesterol, the fat in eggs may not be as bad for the body as people originally thought. Polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats can reduce inflammation in the body, according to the Harvard School of Public Health. Harvard's health publication, the "Harvard Heart Letter," points out that most cholesterol does not tend to go to the bloodstream; rather, it is saturated fats that raise bad cholesterol levels.

Nutrients

Eggs are a good source of choline, a little-known nutrient that helps build neurotransmitters and can protect against heart disease. A cup of scrambled eggs contains 416 mg of this nutrient. A 1-cup serving of scrambled eggs will also provide you with 1272 IU vitamin A, 818 mcg lutein, 158 IU vitamin D and 145 mg of calcium. Eggs also contain iron, potassium, selenium and small amounts of many other nutrients.

Additions

The calories in a cup of scrambled eggs will also depend on how the eggs have been prepared. Scrambled eggs that are prepared with 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese will have many more calories -- 114 more, to be exact -- than scrambled eggs that are prepared alone. If you want a tasty addition to your scrambled eggs without the calories, add a bit of salsa for a Southwestern flavor. You can also sprinkle in a bit of low-fat ham, green onions and spices to add flavor.

Low-Calorie Options

If you are craving scrambled eggs, but don't want to eat very many calories, try using a combination of whole eggs and egg whites to make your eggs. Each egg yolk that you omit from the mixture will save approximately 50 calories, depending on the size of the egg. Always prepare your scrambled eggs in a nonstick pan or with nonstick low-calorie spray if you are trying to avoid additional calories and fat.