Eggs.

They can have a pretty bad connotation at times, no? Healthy menus always promote egg WHITES or egg substitutes and you hear lots of contradicting facts around cholesterol.

This is where things get a little complicated.

It is overly simple and incorrect to say egg yolks raise cholesterol. The fact is, there are many other factors involved! The type of saturated fat, individual genetics, current health status, exercise and the big picture of what else is consumed in the rest of the diet – to name a few!

In addition, research has recently shown that eggs ARE NOT THE BAD GUY!

These studies have freed the egg from its preconceived “evil” connotation and people are finally recognizing the egg for what it actually is — a great source of protein and nutrients. The egg yolks contain a high source of lutein and zeaxanthin - carotenoids that protect against cataracts and macular degeneration.

Egg yolks are also the richest source of choline, a member of the vitamin B family, you can get. Choline supports the brain and nervous system function by maintaining the structure of brain cells, and is a key component of the neuro -transmitter acetylcholine that helps relay messages from the brain and through nerves to the muscles.

Choline is also contributes to fetal brain development and helps prevent birth defects. Two eggs provide about 250 milligrams of choline, or about half of the recommended daily intake for pregnant or breastfeeding women.

But while the egg has been deemed an important source of nutrition, you shouldn’t start eating daily dozens! You wouldn’t go and guzzle a bottle of olive oil, would you? (don’t answer that…) But that doesn’t mean moderate doses aren’t extremely beneficial!

Bottom line — don’t be afraid to eat real, fresh eggs! They are 20479 times more delicious and provide quite a nutritional punch! Just don’t start going all Gaston on me.

My favorite ways to eat eggs:

An ‘Egg’cellent baked sweet potato

Egg in a hole

Or scrambled on toast, slathered with lots of KETCHUP!

Do you eat real eggs? How often? What’s you favorite way? GET CRACKIN’!