Fresh eggs have a reputation for being bad for the heart because of their cholesterol, although the Mayo Clinic notes that most people can include eggs in a healthy diet. Egg Beaters are cholesterol-free egg products that come in original, cheese and chive, whites only, garden vegetable and southwestern style varieties. You can use them right out of the carton, and they are convenient for recipes and quick meals. Do not eat Egg Beaters if you are allergic to eggs because they are made from real eggs.
General Comparison
Egg Beaters and shell eggs both provide 5 to 6 g protein and 1 g carbohydrates. Unflavored Egg Beaters have similar amounts of sodium to whole eggs, with about 75 to 80 mg, and flavored Egg Beaters are less healthy because they have up to 210 mg per serving. Most Egg Beaters have similar amounts of vitamins and minerals as whole eggs, but Egg Beaters Whites do not provide these nutrients.
Cholesterol and Fat
Egg Beaters can be healthier than fresh whole eggs if you are trying to reduce your cholesterol intake. All varieties of Egg Beaters are cholesterol-free or have no more than 5 mg, and a large egg has about 210 mg. However, keep in mind that getting cholesterol from eggs in your diet does not necessarily lead to unhealthy increases in blood cholesterol levels or contribute to heart disease, according to the Mayo Clinic. Egg Beaters are nearly fat-free, while shell eggs provide 5 g fat. However, only the egg yolk provides cholesterol and fat, so Egg Beaters are no healthier than egg whites if you are interested in your cholesterol and fat intake.
Calories
Egg Beaters can be healthier than eggs because they can help you control your weight. A 61-g, or quarter-cup, serving of each flavor of Egg Beaters has 25 to 35 calories, while a large egg has 75 calories. When you are counting your calories, though, remember to control your serving sizes. Eggs are naturally portion-controlled, but most varieties of Egg Beaters come in multi-serving pourable cartons so it is easy to get more than a single serving.
Safety
A healthy eating pattern includes taking care to keep your food safe and avoiding risky foods, such as raw eggs. About 325,000 individuals are hospitalized each year in the U.S. due to foodborne illness, according to the 2010 Dietary Guidelines from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Egg Beaters Egg Whites can be healthier if you are substituting them for raw eggs in recipes, such as smoothies, because they are made with pasteurized egg whites.
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