According to historians, we have known Easter as eggs for a very long time.
Have you ever wondered why? Since ancient times, eggs have been given to others in the spring to celebrate the new growing season. And if you’ve ever witnessed a chick emerge from its shell, you’ll understand how the egg eventually became the symbol of new life celebrated by Christians at Easter.
Nutritionally, eggs are considered one of the highest quality protein foods on the planet. However, for more than 40 years, it has come under fire from health experts due to its high cholesterol content. It was then that strong evidence supported the belief that a diet high in cholesterol was bad for the heart.
And in 2013, the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology summarized decades of research and found that “egg consumption is not associated with cardiovascular (heart) disease or (risk of death from heart disease) in the general population.” ” concluded.
Currently, there is no specific advice for limiting cholesterol in the diet. And the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend eggs as part of a healthy diet.
please think about it. Inside the tiny eggshell are all the nutrients needed to create new life. It contains numerous vitamins and minerals such as vitamin B12, selenium, and biotin.
And don’t forget about choline, a nutrient that’s not so easy to get from other foods. Choline is essential for maintaining the structure and function of all cells in the body. Choline is especially important during brain development during pregnancy and early childhood. Research shows that choline is essential for maintaining memory and other brain functions as we age.
However, don’t assume that naturally colored brown, blue, or green shells are more nutritious. Experts say the color of eggs is determined by the breed of chicken, not nutrients.
Of course, all this good nutrition can only be obtained if you treat raw and cooked eggs wisely. According to the Food and Drug Administration, eggs must be refrigerated within 36 hours of being laid. And it must be kept refrigerated.
This is especially important after cooking, according to the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service. For example, if you are cooking and dyeing Easter eggs, do not leave them out for more than 2 hours without refrigeration. And of course, have your child wash their hands before handling the eggs.
If your kids are looking for real eggs, remove them from the ground and hide them somewhere protected from dirt and other sources of germs, these experts say.
When you’re done hunting, wash it and put it back in the fridge. Then he has a week to try out the colorful symbol of new life (egg salad anyone?).
Barbara Quinn-Intermill is a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. She is the author of Quinn-Essential Nutrition (Westbow Press, 2015).Please send an email to her at [email protected].
