Estimated reading time: 3 mins
Eggs are a staple of diets all around the world, but why are they so nutritionally valuable? In this article, I’ll be exploring the reasons why eggs are the most nutritious food you can eat and giving examples of how to make the most out of this superfood.
Eggs have been around for thousands of years, but only recently has their nutritional value been fully recognised. Eggs contain all nine essential amino acids, which makes them a complete source of protein. They also contain essential vitamins and minerals such as vitamin A and B12, folate, phosphorus, zinc and iron. All these components mean that eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available and an excellent source of fuel for your body.
One large egg contains 6 grams of protein – that’s more than in an ounce (28 grams) of any other type of food excepting lean meats like turkey breast or fish fillet – making it a great choice for anyone looking to increase their daily protein intake without loading up on meat. The high quality proteins found in eggs also help build muscle and aid recovery after exercise.
The incredible range of vitamins and minerals found in eggs also make it one of the most versatile sources of nutrition available today. Vitamin A is important for healthy eyesight while B12 helps with red blood cell production; meanwhile folate helps reduce birth defects in pregnant women by aiding cell growth during foetal development. Zinc is important for boosting immunity while phosphorus helps maintain healthy bones and teeth; finally iron helps prevent anaemia by carrying oxygen around the body efficiently.
The benefits don’t stop there though; studies have shown that eating eggs can actually improve cholesterol levels too! This is because egg yolks contain lecithin which binds to cholesterol particles in our intestines preventing them from being absorbed into our bloodstreams, reducing our overall cholesterol levels as a result.
But how do we get the best out of this superfood? One way is by boiling or poaching them rather than frying them as this reduces fat content significantly; adding vegetables such as spinach or tomatoes can add extra flavour as well as nutrition to your meal too! You could even try making an omelette or scrambled egg dish with some added herbs or spices for extra flavour – there really isn’t much you can’t do with an egg!
Finally, let’s not forget about egg whites either – these are invaluable if you’re trying to cut down on calories while still getting plenty of protein into your diet. Egg whites are virtually fat free (just 0.2g per 100g) so they won’t weigh you down at breakfast time! They also make excellent additions to smoothies or shakes – just blend up some frozen fruit with some ice cubes and some egg whites for a delicious post-workout drink!
So there we have it – now you know why eggs should be at the top of your list when it comes to nutritional foods! Not only do they provide us with all nine essential amino acids plus a range vitamins and minerals but their cholesterol-lowering properties make them incredibly beneficial for heart health too! Whether boiled, poached or fried there really isn’t much you can’t do with an egg – so why not give them a go next time you need something nutritious to get you through the day?
