No egg white! It’s all about the Egg Yolk

Eggs: The controversial super food. In ancients cultures, eggs including the egg yolk were seen as a food that nourished the entire body, fueled the brain, and provided essential nutrients for pregnant woman and growing children.

The mainstream media has since put the idea in our minds that egg yolks are harmful because of the “cholesterol” and “fat” content. Well, your brain and your hormones are actually made from saturated fat and cholesterol and need these nutrients to function properly. I too fell into the myth and was throwing away those precious yolks thinking it was the healthy thing to do. Oh how much time, money, and nutrition I wasted by throwing away those nutrient packed yolks.

Amazing Nutrition Found in Egg Yolks

1. Eggs are one of the most nutrient-dense foods available. One egg provides 13 essential nutrients, all in the yolk.
2. Egg yolks are rich in countless vitamins and minerals including: A, D, E, B2, B6, B9, iron, calcium, phosphorous, potassium and choline which all contribute to healthy brain function, hormonal balance, and increased energy.
3. The choline in eggs is a rare nutrient that is essential for proper fetal brain development, it decreases neural tube defects, and it is a necessary component in breast milk.
4. The iron, vitamin A, and vitamin B12 that are found in the yolk provide the building blocks that are essential for healthy skin, eyes, growth and reproduction.
5. Eggs yolks are composed of the specific nutrients needed for healthy hormones. For stable moods and energy – ditch the egg white nonsense and eat that yolk which fuels a healthy, fit body.

As with all food in our system today, it is important to consume eggs that have come from a quality, reliable source to ensure the egg actually contains these essential nutrients. Although, “cage-free”, “organic”, and “free range” are all excellent alternatives to factory farmed eggs, these certifications do not mean the chickens were roaming around on pasture, eating grass and insects, which are actually the components needed to create the essential nutrients in an egg.

If you want to get the most nutrition and overall taste out of your eggs, opt for “Pastured-raised”. Pasture-raised eggs contain significantly more Omega-3 fatty acids, Vitamin E, Vitamin A, and Beta Carotene than the factory farmed type.

Studies show that commercially-raised eggs are up to 19 times higher in pro-inflammatory omega-6 fatty acids. Not good. Unfortunately, almost all eggs sold in supermarkets – even the organic eggs sold at chains such as Whole Foods – are not truly pasture-raised. Try shopping at a local farmers market or look for the lable ‘pasture- raised” for the INCREDIBLE health benefits of those beautiful yolks!

The picture to the left shows a cage free egg compared to a pasture-raised egg. The darker the yolk, the more nutrition it contains.

Overall, God creates everything whole, perfect, and complete- this does not exclude the egg. Eat your yolks folks!

References:

1. Andrew, Asa. Empowering Your Health. Thomas Nelson Inc: Nashville, Tennessee, 2007.
2. Mateljan, George. The World’s Healthiest Foods. George Metaljan Foundation: Seattle, Washington, 2007.
3. Local Harvest. September, 2011.
4. https://chriskresser.com/three-eggs-a-day-keep-the-doctor-away