Eggs-cellent News for Dieters

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By Nicole Sprinkle

Before you start yet another diet du jour, consider this: Eating two eggs a day for breakfast helps you lose 65 percent more weight and gain more energy than a bagel of equal calories, says a recent study from the International Journal of Obesity. Eggs pack a lot of protein in just a few calories, and since protein makes you feel full faster and stay full longer than carbs or veggies, an egg breakfast makes good diet and health sense.

But what about cholesterol? “If you’re eating a low-fat diet overall and don’t have a history of high cholesterol, a couple of eggs a day aren’t likely to hurt you,” says Nikhil Dhurandhar, PhD, lead researcher of the study and associate professor at Pennington Biomedical Research Center at Louisiana State University. But don’t go yolkless. The yolk may be high in cholesterol, but it also contains about 40 percent of the egg’s protein content as well as antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin—key in preventing macular degeneration. “The bigger problem with eggs is the company they keep,” says Keith Ayoob, RD, associate clinical professor in pediatrics at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City. Think bacon, sausage, and home fries—not to mention the saturated fats (butter or grease) that most people cook their eggs in. Replace all that with low-fat yogurt, fruit, or whole-wheat toast, and cook your eggs in canola or olive oil. For a healthy breakfast, scramble two eggs, and toss in veggies, chicken, or turkey; add some Parmesan cheese (more flavor, less fat); or mix in black beans and a few tablespoons of salsa.
—Nicole Sprinkle

Author: Nicole Sprinkle

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