The Calories In One Egg Yolk

Eggs provide nine essential nutrients for minimal calories. According to the book "Nutrition for Health, Fitness and Sport" by Melvin H. Williams, yolks contain different levels of nutrients than egg whites. Understanding yolk nutrition allows you to make informed dietary decisions.

Nutrients

Egg yolks are one of the few food sources of natural vitamin D. Egg yolks contain 23 percent of your daily choline recommendations, 6 percent of your daily folate needs and half of the protein found in eggs.

Calories

A large egg contains 70 calories and 6 g of fat while the yolk alone provides 55 calories and 5 g of fat. Although yolk contains more calories and fat, it provides more vitamin B12, folate, vitamin A, vitamin E and calcium than whites alone.

Color

Egg yolk gets an orange color from plant pigments lutein and zeaxanthin. Both support eye and muscle health and are easily absorbed thanks to fat content of the yolk.