Aba Wilson-Morkeh – Health Coach

If you would like a free wellness evaluation, please contact me.

They used to have a bad rap, but they are back in the popular superfood status. Turns out, their bad reputation was something of a misunderstanding. There’s actually a whole lot in that little 70-calorie package that’s really stellar for health. So if you’ve been avoiding eggs, here are five reasons to bring them back:

1. They’re one of the cheapest protein sources around.

Yes, even if you buy organic eggs. An egg costs less than 50p (organic closer to 30 or 40 p) and gives you six grams of high-quality protein. This means it has all the amino acids you have to get from food, in the same way that meat does. Protein is also thought to be the most satisfying of all nutrients. And remember that about half the protein is in the yolk, not just the whites.

2. They curb mid-morning cravings.

An egg snack can help remove cravings and keep you fuller for longer. Research suggests people who had eggs have lower levels of hunger hormones, and ate less for lunch (and, in fact, the whole day!) than those who had other carb snack or a cereal for breakfast

3. They do not clog the arteries

For several years, eggs were accused of raising your cholesterol and upping the risk for heart disease. It’s now understood that cholesterol from foods like eggs and shellfish is not the danger it was thought to be.

4. They are good for the eyes

Eggs are rich something called lutein, a yellow pigment that’s concentrated in the retina of the eye. Lutein helps protect eyes from macular degeneration, the leading cause of vision loss. It also guards against damage of everyday “blue light” that comes from smartphones, tablets, and computers. Though research on blue light is still slim, some worry that it may contribute to cancer risk, obesity, and eye disease. The egg’s lutein is found in the yolk– another reason to eat the whole thing, not just the white.

5. They help you maintain muscle mass.

From about the age of 30, we start losing muscle mass by as much as five percent a decade. Muscle loss can make you feel weak, reduce your stamina, and eventually increase your risk of debilitating falls when you’re older. Exercise, particularly strength training, will help you preserve some of that muscle, but getting enough protein is key too. Eggs contain high-quality protein that repairs muscles after exercise and helps rebuilds them. I usually recommend an egg meal after training.