Are Eggs Healthy?
Conflicting ideas about nutrients and foods can create paralyzing indecision in the grocery store aisle. Take eggs for example. Some say they are a great food choice, others decry them for their cholesterol content. In his article concerning eggs Chris Kresser put it this way “In the real world, the science that informs our beliefs about nutrition and health is not black and white, but decidedly gray.”
So when it comes to feeding your body how will you know what is best?
We’re here to help you sort it out. You can build confidence in the food choices you make every day. Participate in a one on one nutrition consult! Learn more about how a consult can help.
But really, what IS the deal with eggs?!?! Good food or bad? Eggs are good! Eggs bring a variety of health benefits. They are full of nutrients such as vitamin E, B12, D, and folate.
But what about the cholesterol you say?
Eat it. The idea that consuming cholesterol in our diets causes our blood cholesterol levels to rise is a myth. Cholesterol is a repair molecule in your body. It is a natural part of keeping cell walls strong and flexible. Most of your brain is made out of cholesterol. It is absolutely essential to human health. When cholesterol levels in the blood are too high, it is because the body is trying to repair something that is broken. High cholesterol is an indicator of inflammation or disease, not a cause.
In his article Red Meat and Eggs on Trial Again, But Jury Is Still Out Chris Kresser, author of Personal Paleo Code examines the myths surrounding eggs “…an analysis of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Study found that those who ate more eggs had lower rates of stroke. Some studies have even suggested that eating eggs may protect against cardiovascular disease.” Read the full article here.
But do be careful. Conventionally farmed eggs (including “cage free”) may not have the same nutrient dense fats that pasture raised eggs do. Chickens are meant to feed on bugs and greens and grubs and a few seeds. Many conventionally raised chickens are fed a blend of GMO corn and soy. They are kept indoors out of sunlight. Animals make vitamin D in the same way humans do- through exposure to the sun. If an animal has never seen the sun, it will be low in vitamin D, and so will it’s offspring… eggs. Best choice: pasture- raised eggs which are available at local natural foods stores and farmer markets.
Not convinced yet? Want to know more about the foods YOUR body needs to thrive? Come on in for a Nutrition Consult! Learn more here.
