The Eggs that you eat – Myths and facts

What one eats plays an important role in one’s overall well-being. We need to understand which foods have the maximum nutrition in which form. And which will suit our bodies the best. When talking about foods that have the most nutrition, eggs come to mind instantly. It is the easiest to cook and consume and is among the healthiest. This powerhouse of protein, unfortunately, is also surrounded by many myths. Here is a list and why we call them myths:

Myth 1: Eating eggs gain you extra calories.

Absolutely not. Eggs are a low-calorie food, high in protein. Eggs support weight loss. Nutritionists and dieticians recommend eggs in a calorie-controlled diet. Consumption of eggs increases the feeling of fullness and helps in boosting metabolic activity. As eggs are rich in protein, eating them for breakfast gives a feeling of fullness for a longer time. And then one can opt for a small lunch.

Myth 2: The colour of eggs represents the quality.

One often hears people associating the colour of yolk with the nutrition and the quality of eggs. But the yolk color is determined by the pigments in the food consumed by the hen. If the orange-yellow pigment xanthophylls is more in the food consumed by the hen, like corn, then the yolk colour will be dark orange. And if the hen eats more of barley and wheat then the yolk color will be lighter.

Myth 3: All brown eggs are desi eggs and are more nutritious.

All brown eggs are definitely not desi eggs, so watch out. Many times eggs are dipped in tea water and given a brown tint so that they can be passed on as brown eggs. And the color of the eggshell has no relation to nutrition. The nutritional value of eggs does not change with color, shape, or size.

Myth 4: Double-yolked eggs are unhealthy and should be avoided

There are many superstitions about double yolks in an egg. While in some parts of the world, it is supposed to bring good fortune, and somewhere it is a warning of death. But double yolks in an egg are a result of hyperactive ovaries. It is because the hen has ovulated twice in succession. It is like a twin pregnancy that happens in humans as well.

Myth 5: Storing eggs for future consumption

It is important to maintain the temperature of the place where the eggs are stored. Unrefrigerated eggs can be kept for 7-10 days while refrigerated eggs can be stored for even a month. But ideally, the shelf life of refrigerated eggs is considered for about three weeks. It is best to refrigerate eggs after buying them or keep them under lower temperatures. Refrigeration reduces the risk of salmonella.

Myth 6: Which egg is healthy- organic, desi, or conventional?

What the hen ate affects the quality of the eggs. The traditional diet the chickens were fed resulted in conventional eggs. Many farms employ natural and herbal remedies instead of antibiotics in order to market their eggs as organic. However, this is not the only reason why eggs become organic. Additionally, the hen must be fed organic food. The hens who produced the desi eggs did not receive a prescribed diet, unlike those in layer farms, and were allowed to forage wherever they pleased. Regardless of the name tag, eggs are a nutritional powerhouse, and eating regular eggs has health benefits for everyone.

So as the jingle goes, “Sunday ho ya Monday, roz khao ande ( Be it Sunday or Monday, eat eggs any day)”. Indulge in this power food to your heart’s content now. Happy eating!