Cholesterol in eggs

Egg whites only or two or more egg whites with one yolk are options too.

Dietary cholesterol (from your food) doesn't get absorbed by the body. Blood cholesterol is made by the body from saturated fats. You don't need to worry too much about the cholesterol in food. Eggs are just fine to eat, but don't go crazy because they do have fat.

I borrowed this from another post on eggs.. (eggs are OK to eat)
qtpiesmom:
Despite popular belief, eggs are actually low in fat, with less than one gram and only 70 calories each. The yolk of an egg contains a considerable amount of cholesterol and lipids, but cholesterol build-up in the arteries actually begins with arterial wall damage. The body's repair of this eventually leads to a waxy build-up - usually due to sugar and saturated fat, not the consumption of cholesterol itself.

Some studies show that eggs may actually benefit those with high cholesterol, due to their omega fats, protein and antioxidants. Eggs also contain high amounts of lecithin, which blocks the cholesterol in the egg and stops intestinal absorption, keeping it out of the bloodstream.

Five egg-cellent facts

1. Eggs can prevent macular degeneration: Eggs contain the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, which prevent free-radical damage to our eyes as we age. These are the same antioxidants that prevent damage to our arteries from the free radicals.

2. Egg yolks have vitamin Consuming enough vitamin D during pregnancy could decrease a child's chances of developing multiple sclerosis as an adult, so make sure you eat the whole egg.

3. Eggs help keep your appetite in check: Eggs are high in the amino acid tryptophan, which is used to synthesize serotonin (feel-good hormone) in the brain and induce the feeling of satiety, leading to lower calorie consumption.

4. Eggs are high in antioxidants: Eggs have a lot of selenium, which is used to create one of our bodies most powerful antioxidants: superoxide dismutase (SOD). Selenium is also fortified into feed to boost the hens' immunity and increase the selenium content of their eggs.

5. Eggs can help reduce inflammation: Eggs are high in choline, a B vitamin shown to help reduce inflammation. In a recent study, subjects with a diet deficient in choline typically had 20-percent higher levels of inflammatory cytokines, meaning that they experienced increased inflammation and pain.

Are all eggs created equal?
Here's the breakdown of what all those labels on your eggs mean.

1. Conventional eggs: These eggs often don't have their harvesting practices labelled, and are usually the least expensive. In conventional systems, four hens are typically housed in each two-square-foot battery cage, in barns containing thousands of birds. This makes them prone to injury and infection, so they receive antibiotics daily, as well as hormones to increase egg production. Their feed is unregulated, so they're often fed leftover animal by-products mixed with grain. Battery cages are banned in the EU and are often the subject of animal-rights debates.

2. Free-run eggs: Free-run hens are not confined to life in a cage, but are allowed to roam the floor of the barn. They are still densely packed into these barns with no required outdoor access. Free-run hens eat the same feed as conventionally raised hens, and are given antibiotics and hormones.

3. Free-range eggs: Free-range hens must have access to the outdoors for the majority of the year, with a roost area for resting. Their feed can't contain antibiotics or hormones, and the roosts must have at least two square feet per hen. The government does not regulate free-range egg farms, so you must trust the farmers. Some farmers call these eggs "antibiotic-free" or "naturally-raised."

4. Pastured eggs: Pastured hens are kept in cages with at least two square feet per hen. The structure containing the hens is moved to different areas of the grass daily so the hens can forage for at least 20 percent of their food. They are also not allowed to be fed antibiotics or hormones in their supplemental feed.

5. Organic eggs: Hens must be raised from birth on organic feed that contains no hormones, pesticides or genetically modified organisms. They must have outdoor access year-round; when they are kept inside, they must be fed organic sprouted grains. They must also be allocated at least two square feet of floor space per bird.

Is there a nutritional difference between white and brown eggs?
No! The colour of the hen determines the colour of the egg. Brown hens with red lobes lay brown eggs, and white feathered hens with white lobes lay white eggs. The American Egg Board says there is no conclusive research that one colour is nutritionally better than the other.

Dietary cholesterol (from your food) doesn't get absorbed by the body. Blood cholesterol is made by the body from saturated fats. You don't need to worry too much about the cholesterol in food. Eggs are just fine to eat, but don't go crazy because they do have fat.

Exactly. Eggs are healthier than egg whites or egg beaters. They're way over-processed.

I would say, yes, eggs are indeed healthy for you. But if you have medical conditions such as Diabetes and heart issues, then go with the egg whites sanz cholesterol. Alot of healthy foods for healthy people isn't so healthy for those of us with compromised health.

i rarely ate eggs before MFP but still had really high cholesterol. as part of my diet, i've been eating one whole hard boiled egg every morning. after about 1 1/2 months, i got blood work done and my cholesterol went down about 40 points. the rest of my diet has been pretty healthy, lots of fruits and veggies, lots of fish, plenty of fiber and as little red meat and processed foods as possible.

:flowerforyou: