The Healthy Temple

Eggs have been in the news for years. First they were cited as an unhealthy diet choice for those prone to heart disease, and now they are endorsed as a nutritious low-carb and high-protein food. The most common breakfast staple in many American homes, eggs have long been a universal symbol of birth and fertility. Nutritionally, the egg is a high-quality high-protein food because it contains all the essential amino acids in the right balance. In addition, eggs are also especially high in choline and an excellent source of selenium and riboflavin. All this for just 75 calories, 6 grams of protein and 5 grams fat for each large egg. Most of an egg’s nutrients can be found in the yolk. Another egg nutrition fact is that eggs contain the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, which help protect the eyes.Although eggs contain 213 milligrams of cholesterol, which makes them a high cholesterol food, the American Heart Association currently does not limit the number of egg yolks that can be consumed by healthy people. However, for those with high blood cholesterol levels, heart disease or diabetes, the daily recommended limit is 200 milligrams of cholesterol. That’s because research has consistently shown that dietary cholesterol has a small effect on blood cholesterol levels. Saturated fat matters most in heart health.