by Patricia Chuey, MSc., RD, FDC,
The breadth of offerings in the egg case at your local grocery store or market has cracked wide open. While recently picking up a dozen eggs, I snapped a picture of the many choices. I had to take two photos as they didn’t all fit into one shot.
The great thing about innovation is the choices it provides for consumers. Perhaps yours is a household that picks up a dozen standard eggs from a farm or store as you’ve done for years. Or maybe you prefer to keep a few different egg options in the fridge. Either way, eggs remain an excellent source of high-quality protein.
One large egg provides 7 grams of protein along with 70 calories and 14 important nutrients including vitamins A, B, D, E and the mineral choline – important for brain health. Whether poached, hard-boiled, or sunny side up, a two-egg serving with its 14 grams of protein is a great option and a well-balanced meal when enjoyed with vegetables and whole grains.
When shopping for eggs, here’s what you can choose from in the egg case:
White eggs – a classic, affordable option supplying all the nutrition eggs are known for. The yolk colour of an egg can be various shades of yellow from light to dark. The colour is not an indication of freshness or quality, but rather the variety of hen and type of feed it was raised with. Wheat-based feeds tend to produce a paler yolk colour while corn-based feeds produce a darker yolk colour. All Canadian egg farmers must follow strict standards and all chickens are given abundant access to food and water.
Brown eggs – also a classic, brown eggs have the same nutritional content as a similarly sized white egg. The difference is that they come from a different breed of bird – hens with brown versus white feathers. Brown eggs are frequently presented in marketing images as a healthier choice, but you can rest assured, whether choosing brown or white, that you’re making a nutritious choice.
Free-range eggs and Free-run eggs – free-run eggs are eggs from chickens that are raised indoors and are able to move around the entire barn. Free-range hens can roam around indoors and when weather permits can also go outside. Free-range eggs may have a slightly different flavour than free-run as the diet the free-range hen is less consistent than if raised indoors. All chickens are given quality feed and water, but in addition free-range hens may eat various grasses, weeds and/or insects that they peck away at outside.
Omega-3 eggs – Eggs are not naturally a source of omega-3 fatty acids. The best sources of omega-3 fats are oily fish like salmon and some plant foods like flax seed. To add these healthy fats to eggs, the chickens are fed a diet of omega-3 rich food to make them a source of omega-3s. This is good option for consumers wanting to eat more omega-3 who may not include fish in their diet.
Vitamin D-enriched eggs, sometimes called Golden Eggs – Eggs are naturally a source of vitamin D and it is found in the yolk, whereas the protein is in the white. The more time the hen spends in the sunshine, the higher the vitamin D is likely to be in the egg. Farmers can also use UV lamps to increase vitamin D. An egg provides about 37 IU of Vitamin D. If the hens are fed a vitamin-D rich diet, this can increase by 80%.
Organic eggs – these eggs come from hens that were not raised in cages and/or have the option to roam freely outdoors. They’re also only given organic feed and like all laying hens in Canada are raised without any added hormones or antibiotics. So, if you notice a restaurant or grocery store promoting hormone-free eggs, rest assured that all Canadian eggs are free of added hormones and antibiotics.
Liquid egg whites or liquid whole eggs – these come in a small, easy to pour carton, are pasteurized for food safety and are handy if you only want the whites for your omelette or baking. If you prefer to not have to crack eggs and deal with the shells, these are handy.
Hard boiled eggs – a quick and healthy snack choice or if you only need a couple boiled eggs for a salad or recipe you are making. To make hard boiled eggs at home, place eggs in a saucepan and cover with water. Bring to a boil. Cover with the lid, turn the heat off and let them steam in the pot for 10 minutes. Drain the hot water and rinse them in cold water to make peeling the shell easier.
Eggs naturally contain cholesterol, but it has long been proven that genetics, the total amount of unhealthy fat eaten and quality of the diet overall all impact blood cholesterol levels more than intaking cholesterol that naturally occurs in healthy foods like eggs.
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