You might be pretty surprised to find whole eggs in a list of fat burning foods. I mean aren't they really fattening, and only good for you if you separate the egg white and throw the yolk away? Unfortunately this negative view has come from the way the fast-food industry abuses the poor little things. If you fry anything in hydrogenated cooking oils it becomes unhealthy!
And can we forget the horrible conditions that battery farmed hens have to endure to produce our eggs in the first place? They have also been classified as a "high cholesterol food", but more on that in a moment.
But I'm here to show you that by choosing the right produce, and preparing them properly, eggs are actually a true fat burning food, packed full of nutrition.
Go For Whole Eggs
In recent times fitness enthusiasts, and body builders in particular, have taken to eating just the egg whites, throwing the yolk in the bin. This was based on the idea that the whites contained all the good stuff (the usable protein) and the yolk contained all of the bad stuff (fat and cholesterol). Unfortunately the body builders got it wrong...
In truth whole eggs are a much better source of bio-available protein than the whites alone. This is because of a more balanced amino acid profile, making the protein easier to digest. But we're not at the best bit yet...
Egg yolks are by far the most nutritious and healthiest part of an egg! Did you know that the yolk contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants? In fact, it contains more than 90% of the egg's nutrients. And we've been throwing them in the bin like crazy fools!
So What's In An Egg Yolk
One of the antioxidants found in the egg yolk is lutein. This little guy can also be found in leafy greens such as spinach, and helps to maintain the health of your eyes. It also helps to slow the thickening of arteries, which can lead to heart disease over time.
The yolks are also loaded with vitamins and minerals such as: Calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins A, D, E and K, B6 and B12. There are also plenty of essential fatty acids.
So as you can see, by avoiding eggs or by throwing your yolks in the bin you are missing out on a ton of fat burning nutrients.
Let's Talk Cholesterol
But isn't it true that egg yolks will send my cholesterol levels through the roof? Well no actually, this is not the case.
Recent research has shown that eggs increase good cholesterol (HDL), without increasing the bad LDL cholesterol.
So eggs DO increase cholesterol I hear you cry! But HDL is essential for may of your body's vital functions. Higher levels of HDL has been liked to a decreased risk of heart disease. Nice.
The Free-Range Argument
In my recent article on free range chicken breast, I spoke about the nutritional benefits of choosing free-range meat over the produce of battery-farmed animals. And making sure you choose free range eggs is just as important.
A hen's environment and diet are vital to the quality of the nutrients found in her eggs. Just take a look at the difference between eggs bought from a battery farm and those produced by free-range chickens. Notice the battery farmed eggs have pale yellow yolks and thin shells, but the free range variety have thick shells and a deep orange colored yolk. This indicates much higher nutrition levels.
So free range eggs are much more nutritious than their battery farmed counter part. Access to a natural diet and the all important exercises means that the eggs from free range hens are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and have a healthy ratio omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids. Perfect!
And can we forget the horrible conditions that battery farmed hens have to endure to produce our eggs in the first place? They have also been classified as a "high cholesterol food", but more on that in a moment.
But I'm here to show you that by choosing the right produce, and preparing them properly, eggs are actually a true fat burning food, packed full of nutrition.
Go For Whole Eggs
In recent times fitness enthusiasts, and body builders in particular, have taken to eating just the egg whites, throwing the yolk in the bin. This was based on the idea that the whites contained all the good stuff (the usable protein) and the yolk contained all of the bad stuff (fat and cholesterol). Unfortunately the body builders got it wrong...
In truth whole eggs are a much better source of bio-available protein than the whites alone. This is because of a more balanced amino acid profile, making the protein easier to digest. But we're not at the best bit yet...
Egg yolks are by far the most nutritious and healthiest part of an egg! Did you know that the yolk contains vitamins, minerals and antioxidants? In fact, it contains more than 90% of the egg's nutrients. And we've been throwing them in the bin like crazy fools!
So What's In An Egg Yolk
One of the antioxidants found in the egg yolk is lutein. This little guy can also be found in leafy greens such as spinach, and helps to maintain the health of your eyes. It also helps to slow the thickening of arteries, which can lead to heart disease over time.
The yolks are also loaded with vitamins and minerals such as: Calcium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, vitamins A, D, E and K, B6 and B12. There are also plenty of essential fatty acids.
So as you can see, by avoiding eggs or by throwing your yolks in the bin you are missing out on a ton of fat burning nutrients.
Let's Talk Cholesterol
But isn't it true that egg yolks will send my cholesterol levels through the roof? Well no actually, this is not the case.
Recent research has shown that eggs increase good cholesterol (HDL), without increasing the bad LDL cholesterol.
So eggs DO increase cholesterol I hear you cry! But HDL is essential for may of your body's vital functions. Higher levels of HDL has been liked to a decreased risk of heart disease. Nice.
The Free-Range Argument
In my recent article on free range chicken breast, I spoke about the nutritional benefits of choosing free-range meat over the produce of battery-farmed animals. And making sure you choose free range eggs is just as important.
A hen's environment and diet are vital to the quality of the nutrients found in her eggs. Just take a look at the difference between eggs bought from a battery farm and those produced by free-range chickens. Notice the battery farmed eggs have pale yellow yolks and thin shells, but the free range variety have thick shells and a deep orange colored yolk. This indicates much higher nutrition levels.
So free range eggs are much more nutritious than their battery farmed counter part. Access to a natural diet and the all important exercises means that the eggs from free range hens are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals and have a healthy ratio omega 3 to omega 6 fatty acids. Perfect!
About the Author:
I hope you liked this article about free range, whole eggs. Check out my List Of Fat Burning Foods and uncover Negative Calorie Foods for even more foods that will help you get rid of those unwanted lbs.
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