Are Eggs Raising Your Cholesterol Levels?
Eggs are versatile foods rich in protein that anyone can afford. They also taste delicious, and that is why even small kids prefer them a lot. But there is a constant fear prevailing in most people regarding egg consumption and high cholesterol levels. If you are one among them, do check out the facts below and get to know if you can enjoy your egg wholeheartedly.
1. High Nutritional Value
Eggs are highly nutritious. They contain vitamins, proteins, minerals, antioxidants, healthy fats, and whatnot. Have you ever wondered why? It is because a chicken egg contains all the essential nutrients that a chick needs for its development before it enters this world. Hence, it is a power-packed food.
2. Fat Levels in Eggs
We cannot deny the fact that eggs also contain a fair amount of cholesterol. A medium or average-sized egg (58 g) contains approximately 4.6 g of fat. In simpler terms, an egg contains only a teaspoon full of fat. Also, only one-fourth of this fat content is saturated fat that is capable of raising blood cholesterol levels. So, if you have been thinking that eggs are cholesterol dense, you have the facts.
3. Egg Yolk or Whites
The yolk is for you, and white is for me. Probably this is how some of us enjoy our eggs while most of you enjoy it whole. Did you know that both egg yolk and whites are equally rich in protein? Still, people building muscles prefer egg whites because of all the fat content concentrated in the egg yolk alone. But consuming them as a whole will benefit you with all the nutrients.
4. Fewer Calories
An average-sized egg contains approximately 60 calories. If you are looking for a superfood with loaded nutritional value and without the calories, eggs are best to start the day with. Due to its high health benefits, experts suggest including eggs in babies’ solid foods after six months and to pregnant women.
5. Eggs and Heart Health
Health experts and heart foundations now recommend eggs as part of a heart-healthy diet with up to 6 eggs per week as their recommendation. Though eggs contain cholesterol, these were found to have only a minimal effect on our blood cholesterol levels—the type of cholesterol matters. Eggs contain mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids, while saturated fatty acids are the ones responsible for increased cholesterol levels.
If you have excluded your favorite eggs from your regular diet due to the fear that it might increase your cholesterol levels further, then definitely, you need to start enjoying your eggs now. Yes, it is true. With extensive studies and research, our experts have now settled on the fact that though eggs contain a fair amount of dietary cholesterol that minimally impacts blood cholesterol levels.
How healthy eggs can be is decided by you, the way you cook and what you eat it with. Boiling, poaching, and scrambling eggs without butter or oil are the best healthy cooking ways you can choose from. Also, keep a note of what you are adding to complement the egg. Consuming red meats, processed foods, bread made of refined grains, etc., along with eggs, will undoubtedly raise your cholesterol levels and affect your heart health.
