Eggs: A Power Packed Easter Find with Great Harvest!
Another holiday has come and gone and I hope the Easter Bunny filled your baskets with everything you hoped he (or she) would. One thing is for certain though; the Bunny has left households across America fully loaded with boiled eggs painted, dyed, and or
adorned in a wide array of pastels. Many are probably cringing at the thought of what to do with these shelled Easter remnants as they fear consuming the fat and cholesterol stored within them. Fortunately, I am here to tell you eggs are worth more nutritionally than what they are cracked up to be!
Eggs are one of the best sources of high biological value protein, meaning it has all essential amino acids and is readily available for the body to use. As a result, it can promote muscle building and maintenance as well as aid in weight control as the 6 grams of protein from only 70 calories per egg can keep you feeling full longer.
It also has many beneficial nutrients including Choline which is found in the yolk. It is a significant factor in the synthesis of an important neurotransmitter called acetylcholine. Acetylcholine has a role in muscle control, memory, and brain function among other things. Choline also is an essential building block of the molecule that shuttles fat and cholesterol out of the liver thus preventing their accumulation. Moms-to-be can also benefit from Choline because it promotes fetal brain development and wards off birth defects. Additionally, it produces a metabolite called betaine which lowers levels of homocysteine, a heart disease risk factor. Lutein and zeaxanthin are other phytochemicals present in the egg yolk. These antioxidants can prevent macular degeneration by shielding the eye from harmful wavelengths. What’s even better is eggs provide a higher bioavailability of these two antioxidants than other food sources or supplements. Eggs also aid in their absorption as they are carotenoids which have improved absorption when consumed with fat such as that found in the egg. Eggs are even one of the few dietary sources of Vitamin D which plays a huge role in maintaining the immune system and functions in essentially every cell of the human body. Eggs are also a source of trace amounts of other vitamins and minerals including Vitamin E, Vitamin K, B2, B12, Selenium, and Sulfur.
Now what about that pesky cholesterol content? Well, the response to dietary cholesterol can range greatly from person to person but the average human tends to be minimally affected by cholesterol from food. A slew of studies have shown that up to one egg daily does not increase heart disease risk; it’s more 
dependent on the type and amount of fat you ingest. Cholesterol itself, despite its negative connotation, is essential to life as it is vital in functions including synthesizing hormones and maintaining cell membranes. Your liver actually produces cholesterol to maintain these functions. Unfortunately, some who are genetically predisposed to heart disease often have a body that produces too much cholesterol. In these circumstances in or for those of you currently suffering from high cholesterol, heart disease, or diabetes, set a limit of 3 egg yolks per week as a general rule.
So, if you’re a generally healthy person start implementing eggs into your diet! Find fun ways such as making French Toast using Great Harvest’s Cinnamon Chip Bread, make a breakfast sandwich using any of our Whole Grain Breads a slice of Swiss cheese and Canadian bacon, or use those boiled Easter eggs and serve up some egg salad made with low fat mayo on some Great Harvest Dakota or Nine Grain Bread to make yourself a healthy protein rich meal! The possibilities are endless, healthy, and most importantly delicious!
What are your favorite ways to implement eggs into your diet?
