How do you like to have your eggs in the morning? Scrambled, poached or hard -boiled. Well, there are many ways to include eggs in your daily diet. However, there are also many myths about eggs. We wish to crack a few for you.
Myth: The ‘Float Test’ – good eggs sink, bad eggs float
Cracked: There is no way of knowing whether there are bacteria in or on an egg, and salmonella can be present whether it sinks or floats.
Myth: Eggs have shelf life of 3-5 weeks
Cracked: The longer an egg is stored, the more its quality declines which can also mean that an average egg in your household has already lost 50 per cent of its nutrients, worse if your packaging doesn’t have dates or you’re consuming loose eggs. To get the most protein and nutrients from an egg it is advisable to avoid having eggs if they are older than ten days from the date of laying.
Myth: Eggs can make your blood cholesterol level high and should be avoided
Cracked: Eggs do not need to be avoided; they are an excellent source of protein and can be regularly included in your diet. The strongest influence on our blood cholesterol level is how much saturated and trans fat (the ‘bad’ fats) we eat rather than the cholesterol in foods. Eggs are low in saturated fat, have no trans-fat and only a small amount of cholesterol. Most of the fat in eggs is the ‘good’ unsaturated fat that we need to be healthy.
Myth: You should avoid eating yolks while trying to lose weight
Cracked: Egg yolks and whites contain different vitamins and minerals. The egg white is a great source of protein, riboflavin and selenium but most of the eggs’ nutrients and nearly half of its protein is found in the yolk.
Myth: Pregnant women should not have eggs to avoid their baby developing an allergy to them
Cracked: Is it true that if a future mom eats eggs, her child will suffer and face an allergy? This is, in fact, just a myth. An egg is a universal source of protein, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. So, it’s recommended to eat eggs as well as fish, beans, and grains.
Also, there is no research to support this belief. Eggs have many nutrients which are beneficial for pregnant women.
Myth: One should delay the introduction of eggs into the diet of children until after 1 year of age to reduce the risk of an allergy forming
Cracked: There’s no evidence that dietary restrictions after six months of age have any additional benefits in avoiding allergies. 2% of children are allergic to eggs. It’s okay to give babies protein-rich foods as soon as they turn 7 months. You may start with 2 tbsp of it. Add products one by one and observe your child’s reaction. If the allergy doesn’t occur within 4 days, everything’s fine. In other cases, it’s better to see a paediatrician.
Myth: Brown eggs are better than white ones
Cracked: We often hear that brown products are healthier than white ones (for example, rice or sugar). But that’s not the case with eggs. Studies have shown that brown eggs are almost the same as white eggs. Eggs are more useful depending on other factors as well. For example, the eggs of a hen that spent a lot of time in the sun contain 3-4 times more vitamin D. Chickens that eat food rich in omega-3 have eggs containing more omega-3.
