My first year of college, I recall going on an egg diet to avoid the “freshman fifteen” ““ the dreaded weight gain experienced by many college students. My roommate, one year older and years wiser than me, invited me to join her in this seven-day, “high energy, guaranteed weight loss” regime.
Living in a dorm 30 plus years ago, I had to go to an upper classman’s apartment and boil dozens of eggs for use and safe storage during the next seven days. I won’t elaborate on the outcome other than to say, I lost weight because I couldn’t gag down another egg by day four, I didn’t eat eggs for the remainder of the year, and my roommates loudly cheered that decision!
The egg has gone in and out of favor depending on our current understanding of heart disease, cholesterol, how eggs are farmed, and of course, our past experience with egg diets. Here are a few reasons to love eggs:
- Aren’t linked to rises in bad cholesterol
- Are one of the best proteins available
- Contain all essential amino acids we need
- Contain just 85 calories
- Has vitamins A, B, D and E, calcium, iron, phosphorus and zinc
- Helps us feel full longer
- Has Choline, a nutrient that facilitates brain development
- Is a good source of the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthine
- Promotes healthy hair and nails by providing sulphur-containing amino acids in addition to a variety of vitamins and minerals
Buying eggs
Select eggs from providers that allow the chickens to run free (referred to as “free range” or “pasture fed”) and have not been fed antibiotics or hormones.
Personal advice: Avoid the seven-day egg only diet”you’ll lose more friends than pounds!
