by Melissa Roe

Created on: May 18, 2009   Last Updated: May 22, 2011

Eggs, the perfect diet? 

Eggs took a bad rap. Decades ago eggs were the staple food for American breakfasts. Most of the time they were the main course of the meal. Many people would prepare eggs by frying them in a skillet on top of the stove and they would season them with a lot of salt and pepper. After years of unhealthy eating habits, people began developing health issues. Researchers and scientists started analyzing their diets and came to the conclusion that eggs were one of the culprits that contributed to these health issues.

Over the years studies have shown that eggs can be a part of a healthy diet when consumed in moderation.

Since then, dieticians, scientists, and researchers have found that many people still have a common misconception; because eggs are high in dietary cholesterol they can not be a part of a healthy diet. If you allow yourself to overeat, and consume foods that are high in fat, sugar, cholesterol, and salt, then you increase your chances of having serious health issues. High blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and high LDL, or bad cholesterol levels, are all potential threats. The most important part of maintaining a healthy diet is knowing the facts, and weighing the health benefits against the risks. Eating eggs for every meal on a regular basis may be a reason for concern, however, adding eggs to your diet in moderation present many health benefits.

Eggs contain a nutrient that is essential to brain function, it is called choline. Researchers have found eggs to be one of the highest food sources that contain choline, aside from beef liver. Choline is also being studied as one of the nutrients, when consumed by pregnant women, that may help memory performance of an unborn child. Eggs contain other vital nutrients such as riboflavin, B12, folate, and selenium as well. The antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin are also found in eggs. These are found to promote eye health, and can be responsible in fighting off macular degeneration which is one of the leading causes of blindness.

If you have a family history of high cholesterol, then it is a good idea to have your cholesterol checked annually. Heredity does play a role in how our body metabolizes things such as fatty acids and cholesterol. Eating a healthy diet, combined with physical activity can be the best tool to fight off high blood pressure and cholesterol. As with anything, in order to promote a healthy diet, the key to egg consumption is not only moderation

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