Eggs for Breakfast: An Eggscellent Idea!
I have to admit – one of the perks of my job is the eggs. At the Nutriva group, we keep the fridge stocked with our Vitala eggs loaded with good things like omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D. Instead of taking a coffee break in the morning, I like to take an egg break where I usually scramble up a couple of eggs. I find that it keeps my energy and focus up throughout the morning. I’m pretty sure it’s not just me though, as research studies show that swapping out a breakfast bagel for eggs provides a number of health benefits. Here’s why eggs are a great addition to any breakfast:
As I explained in my last post, it’s important to include protein-rich foods on the breakfast menu because protein increases feelings of fullness and can help keep energy levels up for hours after breakfast. Eggs are a great source of protein with 6 grams of protein per large egg. In addition, the protein found in eggs is of very high quality, providing the full complement of essential amino acids.
Two different studies compared the effects of a bagel breakfast to an egg breakfast of equal calories on feelings of fullness and later intake of calories at lunch1,2. In both studies, participants reported feeling fuller after eating eggs for breakfast compared to the bagel breakfast. Despite the fact that equal calories were consumed from both types of breakfast, those who had the egg breakfast consumed fewer calories for lunch and for the next 24 or 36 hours (depending on the time frame measured in the study). So starting the day off with eggs may help make smarter food choices for the rest of the day.
One of the studies also looked at blood sugar and insulin levels following breakfast and found that the egg breakfast resulted in less variation in blood sugar and insulin levels.
A research study also suggested that having eggs for breakfast helped dieters lose more weight compared to a carb-heavy bagel breakfast over a period of eight weeks. No differences in cholesterol and triglycerides levels were observed between the two diets.
We like to call eggs “nature’s multivitamin” because they provide so many vitamins and minerals. This includes many B vitamins that help regulate energy production in the body.
Eggs are also one of the most versatile foods on earth – keep things interesting by having them scrambled, in omelets, baked into egg muffins, hard-boiled, you-name-it. How do you like your eggs?