Eggs are filling, can be cooked in many ways and are loaded with nutrients. In addition to these nutrients, eggs are also packed with health benefits. Each individual part of the egg comes with its own nutrients, and by simply removing the yolk, you can significantly lower the calories.
Types of Eggs
Chicken eggs are the most widely eaten eggs and there are various types. The commercially popular white and off-white egg, is laid by the Leghorn and Ancona hen. The light green, blue and pink eggs come from the Americana chicken breed, which can also be found in some local grocery stores. Lastly, brown, dark brown and light rust colored eggs are laid by the Rhode Island Red, Sexlink and Wyandotte hens, respectively. These eggs can be sold as both organic and free-range. Organic eggs are laid by hens that have been fed naturally grown ingredients, that have not been altered chemically or grown with fertilizer. Free-range eggs are eggs that are produced by cage free chickens that live outdoors.
Egg Preparation
Eggs are included in many recipes for baked goods amongst other recipes, but it also a popular breakfast food on its own. Eggs retain much of their original raw nutrition if hard boiled, although they can be prepared fried, scrambled or poached. Some people cannot eat the yolks for health reasons and must separate the egg to retain the egg white and get rid of the yolk. The egg can cook the same way, even if only the whites are used.
Nutrition Data
One large, whole egg -- 50 g serving -- contains 71 calories 45 of which comes from fat. The fat content of an egg is contained fully in the yolk and equals 5 g or 8 percent of the daily value of saturated fat and 70 percent cholesterol. A whole egg also contains 13 percent protein, 5 percent Iron, 3 percent calcium, 5 percent vitamin A, 14 percent riboflavin and 11 percent vitamin B12.
Health Benefits
Eating two eggs a day for breakfast according to WHFoods can help promote weight loss. Although eating eggs are said to raise your cholesterol level, WHFoods states that healthy people can eat eggs relatively safely without increasing their risk for heart attack, which can come from having a high cholesterol level.
Warnings
Because of the high content of saturated fat located in the egg's yolk, consult your doctor about incorporating eggs into your everyday diet, especially if you have high blood pressure or high cholesterol. If you do have high blood pressure or cholesterol or just concerned about your cholesterol levels, you can substitute eating the whole egg and just eat the egg white.
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