Exquisitely simple, yet enormously complex, the egg is one of nature’s marvels.

Eggs contain the highest quality protein known. It is so nearly perfect, in fact, that egg protein is often the standard by which all other proteins are judged. They also contain varying amounts of Vitamins A, D, E, K, and the B-complex and a variety of minerals, particularly iron. Plus eggs contain the ideal balance of the essential amino acids the body can’t manufacture, and eggs are naturally easy to digest.

Choline, a nutrient essential for human health, is shown to be important for proper brain development in the fetus and newborn and may play a role in memory function throughout life. Recent research establishes the adequate intake for choline is 550 mg. for men and 425 mg. for women and 450 mg. during pregnancy. Since a single large egg provides 280 mg. of choline, eggs as part of a balanced diet can help you to meet your daily choline needs.

Lutein and zeaxanthin are two newly recognized nutrients that have put eggs in the “functional foods” category. Lutein and zeaxanthin are members of a family of nutrients known as carotenoids, and are found in green vegetables and egg yolks. These substances collect in parts of the eye and have been shown to play a role in promoting vision and preventing some common causes of blindness. In one well regarded study, The Beaver Dam Eye Study, subjects younger that 65 years old when the study began who had the highest intake of eggs were less likely to suffer from cataracts than those who had the lowest intake of eggs in their diet. Another eye disease, Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), is a leading cause of blindness affecting people over the age of 65. The Eye Disease Case-Control Study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that subjects with the highest dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin had a significantly lower risk of AMD compared to those with the lowest dietary intake.

Inexpensive Egg Protein:
Protein is an essential part of a nutritious diet, but for many people, foods that supply protein are some of the most expensive items on their grocery list. Fortunately, the protein supplied by eggs is both high in quality and low in cost. It’s easy to compare the price of eggs to the price of other protein foods. A dozen Large eggs weighs 1 ½ pounds, so the price per pound of Large eggs = 2/3 of the price per dozen.
For example, if the eggs cost $1.50 per dozen, that’s only $1.00 per pound.


Sell By Date:
This is the recommended date by which the packing plant suggests the retailer sell the eggs. It is not an expiration date. The shelf life on eggs varies depending on proper storage and handling, therefore it is impossible to predict the exact expiration. If stored and handled properly, eggs can be kept several weeks after the sell by date with only minor loss of quality. When broken out of the shell, if the egg looks normal and does not have a bad odor, then it can be eaten ensuring proper cooking techniques.

For those that are still concerned about the cholesterol in eggs, rest assured. According to scientists from Harvard’s School of Public Health, healthy adults can eat up to 7 eggs per week without increasing their heart disease risk. The evidence indicates that saturated fat in the diet, rather that cholesterol, is the dietary factor most responsible for increasing blood cholesterol levels. One Large egg yolk contains 5 grams of total fat and 1.5 grams of saturated fat. Most of the fats in egg yolk are unsaturated, the type of fat that actually lowers “bad” cholesterol.