Getting Egged on in Life There has been a lot of things said in the past about eggs and if they are actually good for you or not. Today we would like to clear up any misconceptions that you may have and get you on an eggsellent path to health and wellbeing. Did you know that Australians eat approximately three billion eggs each year, that’s about one hundred and seventy per person each year. Our earliest human ancestors ate eggs and our bodies have evolved needing the nutrients that are found in eggs. All known vitamins are found in eggs, except Vitamin C which is only found in plants. This includes Vitamins A, D, E and all 8 of the B group vitamins. Eggs also contain iron, zinc, iodine, phosphorus, potassium, plus many more. Almost 50% of the nutrients found in eggs is pure protein. This protein is of such a high quality that it is used as the standard by which all other protein is tested. Protein is needed for building and repairing the cells in muscles and other body tissues.
Eggs are best kept in their cartons in the fridge. This is because eggshells are porous allowing them to take on the smell of food near them. This can also cause them to dry out. The egg carton helps prevent this, as well as help keep the eggs at a constant temperature. Eggs kept in the fridge will last four to five times longer than eggs kept unrefrigerated.
Almost All Known Vitamins Are Found In Eggs
Eggs are also a rich source of Vitamin B12, approximately 20% of the recommended daily intake. Vitamin B12 is essential for the production and integrity of the body’s cells and can help to prevent many types of disease including cardiovascular disease, by lowering Homocysteine levels. Other areas which can be helped by the consumption of B12 include; the digestive system, the immune system, respiratory problems, energy levels, fatigue, alertness, anxiety, confusion, depression, insomnia, memory loss and skin disorders.
Very fresh eggs usually sit higher when broken onto a flat surface, whereas a less fresh egg will spread out more and the yolk is more likely to break. Also fresh eggs will usually sink in cold water, while less fresh ones float towards the top. If however, you are worried that an egg may have gone off, hold it up to a source of light. If the light shines through and you see a healthy pink colour the egg is probably okay. If in doubt, break the egg separately into a cup before adding to other foods.
Eggs are high in Folate which is needed before and during pregnancy to help reduce the risk of birth defects such as spina bifida. Eggs contain 12.8% of the 400 micrograms per day intake of folate recommended for women of child-bearing age. Beyond Good Health Centre for Wellbeing & Longevity P 1300 853 006 ● F 1300 390 337 info@BeyondGoodHealth.com ● www.BeyondGoodHealthClinics.com.au 221 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove QLD 4060 ● 600 Glades Drive, Robina QLD 4226
Some eggs have different coloured shells, this depends on the breed of hen that laid the egg. Also the colour of the yolk is dependent on the feed on which the hen has been eating. Both of these factors however have no effect on the taste or the nutritional value of the egg. Organic free range eggs are best, buy direct from a farmer. An egg is considered organic if the chicken was fed only organic food and will not have bioaccumulated high levels of pesticides from the grains fed to typical chickens. Just as important as what the chickens have been eating, is how you prepare them for consumption. This may come as a shock to you but it’s best not to cook your eggs the whole way through. This helps preserve many of the highly perishable nutrients such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which are powerful prevention elements of the most common cause of blindness, age related macular degeneration.
In fact studies now show that eating eggs may in fact help to relieve the body of cholesterol. Likewise studies now show that there is no link between eggs and an increased risk of heart disease. So rest assured, you can go ahead and enjoy your eggs, as they are one of the healthiest foods in the world. Also just in on the benefits of consuming eggs, researchers have found a possible link between women’s eating habits during their teenage years and their risk of breast cancer as an adult. Women who ate one egg every day as teenagers, are 18% less likely to develop breast cancer as adults.
For the perfect soft boiled egg, simmer for approximately 4 minutes.
So whether you like your eggs scrambled, poached, or even in an omelette make sure the yellows of the egg are still a little runny and not crispy! For the perfect soft boiled egg simmer for approximately 4 minutes. While the best oil to use with your eggs is coconut oil, followed by olive oil, ghee and butter. Whole eggs have long been falsely accused as a cause of high serum cholesterol and heart disease, mostly because they contain substantial amounts of fat and cholesterol. Recommendations to limit daily consumption were initially based on cholesterol content but statistics now show that eating eggs does not contribute to elevated serum cholesterol levels.
Eggs also strengthen the body’s cell membranes which in turn help to strengthen our immune system, preventing us from getting viruses etc. The condition of your hair may also improve due to eating eggs; this is due to the high levels of cysteine found in eggs.
Hopefully now you can see that eggs are not the baddies they have been made out to be, Its time to enjoy our eggs and reap the benefits. In need of some new egg recipes, then look no further, we have included some of our favourites for you to enjoy…
Yours For Better Health & Longevity The Holistic Way
The Team at the Beyond Good Health Centre for Wellbeing & Longevity.
Beyond Good Health Centre for Wellbeing & Longevity P 1300 853 006 ● F 1300 390 337 info@BeyondGoodHealth.com ● www.BeyondGoodHealthClinics.com.au 221 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove QLD 4060 ● : 600 Glades Drive, Robina QLD 4226
Omelette with Spinach & Mushrooms Ingredients 2 eggs 2 tablespoons water 1 tablespoon ghee Salt & pepper to taste Instructions Melt ghee in a small saucepan. Beat eggs until light and frothy, add water and season to taste. When ghee is melted, pour in the eggs, swirling to spread thinly. Cook until lightly browned on the underside. Add filling to half of omelette, fold over and cook on low heat until filling is heated through. Options Why not try these filling ideas. Mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach, onions, leek, asparagus, spring onions. Grated zucchini, carrot, celery, capsicum. Cooked chicken or turkey, lean cooked beef, chicken or lamb mince cooked with beans or chick peas, crab, prawns, low-fat feta, ricotta or cottage cheese.
Beyond Good Health Centre for Wellbeing & Longevity P 1300 853 006 ● F 1300 390 337 info@BeyondGoodHealth.com ● www.BeyondGoodHealthClinics.com.au 221 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove QLD 4060 ● 600 Glades Drive, Robina QLD 4226
Cheesy Spinach Slice Ingredients 350 grams frozen chopped spinach 100 grams cottage cheese 6 eggs (lightly beaten) ½ cup crumbled goat’s feta cheese ¼ cup melted ghee ¼ teaspoon nutmeg ¼ teaspoon cracked black pepper Instructions Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius. Thaw and drain spinach, squeezing out any excess liquid. Lightly grease a casserole dish or suitable baking dish. In a mixing bowl blend together spinach, cottage cheese, ghee, eggs, goat’s feta cheese, nutmeg and pepper. Pour mixture into baking dish. Cook for 1 hour. Serves 4
Beyond Good Health Centre for Wellbeing & Longevity P 1300 853 006 ● F 1300 390 337 info@BeyondGoodHealth.com ● www.BeyondGoodHealthClinics.com.au Brisbane: 221 Waterworks Rd, Ashgrove QLD 4060 ● Gold Coast: 600 Glades Drive, Robina 4226