Surprising TRUTHS about eggs you probably never knew

Eggs have gotten a bad reputation over the years, as all sorts of rumors have circulated about them. But the myths are very different from the reality of sunny eggs.  Here are some of the truths about eggs that you need to know. (h/t to OffTheGridNews.com)

Truth #1: When they hear the word “eggs,” many people immediately think of high cholesterol and fat levels and a food that should be feared, not revered. But the truth is that the human body needs good cholesterol for various functions. Eating eggs also helps with maintaining bones and lean body mass, immune system and brain function, memory and eyesight.

Truth #2: Eggs are often considered the perfect food and contain multiple and varied nutrients in both the yolks and whites, including vitamins A, B12, D and E, choline, essential amino acids, quality protein, zeaxanthin and lutein. They are jam-packed with nutrition yet contain no sugar or carbohydrates. Bonus: They taste delicious in many dishes.

Truth #3: Over time, more types of eggs have become available. This includes free range (from hens that have access to move around outside), cage-free (from hens that freely move around in a larger area like a barn) and certified organic (from hens that are outside some of the time and eat an organic, vegetarian diet with no GMOs or pesticides). Grade AA are the ones to get if you can find them, followed by Grade A, which are not quite as great in terms of quality and appearance.

Truth #4: You should go by the expiration date on an egg carton to some extent, but eggs are often fresh even a few weeks beyond that date. To test and see if an egg is fresh enough to use, crack it open. If it smells bad, do not use it.

Truth #5: The yolk color can indicate some things about the health for the hen and the nutrition of the egg. If you’ve ever gotten eggs fresh from a local farm, you probably noticed that the yolks were a rich orange-yellow color. Likewise, cage-free, organic and pastured eggs have richly colored yolks that tend to be higher in nutrition. The hen’s diet determines what color her egg yolks are.

Truth #6: The shell color of an egg indicates what breed the hen was, so white hens lay white eggs and reddish hens lay brownish eggs.

Truth #7: Eggs sold in the U.S. must be stored by customers in the refrigerator. In certain other countries, that is not necessary because eggs are not power washed before sale as they are in the U.S.

Ways to enjoy eggs

Now that you know how nutritious eggs can be, it’s time to come up with ways to incorporate them into your diet. And they aren’t just for scrambled eggs anymore, although the standard breakfast fare is certainly quick, easy and delicious. But there are seemingly endless ways to prepare eggs. For example, a frittata might sound complex but is quick and easy, smoothies with eggs are versatile and delicious, and homemade baked goods are a great way to sneak eggs into the diet of someone who isn’t particularly fond of them. (Related: 8 Reasons You Should Start Eating Eggs.)

Consult your healthcare provider if you suspect you may have any food allergies or sensitivities. If you are allergic to eggs, completely eliminate them from your diet. As long as you tolerate eggs, enjoy them throughout the week. Preferably, buy organic and pastured eggs. Even better is to get eggs from your own backyard chickens or a local farm. If you buy eggs, pastured and organic can be more expensive, so do some creative shopping by stocking up when you see sales.

Sources include:

OffTheGridNews.com

EggNutritionCenter.org

IncredibleEdibleEgg.org