Eggs are a staple in nearly every household in the nation. And practically every culture around the world has a dish that uses them. They’re versatile and relatively cheap considering how nutrient-dense they are. Here are 5 things you should know about eggs.
1. The color of a cracked egg can tell you how fresh it is.
Have you ever bought eggs and wondered how fresh they really were? Next time you make breakfast, take a look at the cracked egg’s coloring and use this as a guide for how fresh it is.
- Clear egg whites: Old, but safe to eat.
- Pinkish or fluorescent green egg whites: Spoiled, do not eat!
- Cloudy egg whites: Super fresh egg!
- Blood spots: Safe to eat, just look weird.
2. Eggs are rich in vitamins.
Eggs are humble, but they are mighty. They are packed with vitamins and minerals that your body needs on a daily basis. Low in fat and carbohydrates, a single egg contains 6-7 grams of protein.
Eggs might also be a good food to consume during pregnancy, because they contain choline (which helps with fetal brain development) and vitamins D, E, A, and zinc!
Did you know eggs are good for your eyes too? They contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which reduce free radical damage in your eyes and prevent the arteries in your eyes from hardening!
There used to be a myth surrounding eggs that said they were bad for your cholesterol, but recent studies have shown that might not be the case. If you are concerned about your cholesterol, talk to your doctor about the foods that you consume before you make any changes to your diet.
3. Eggs need to be refrigerated in order to stay fresh.
Eggs that come straight from a farm that haven’t been washed or processed in any way are safe to sit out, but most of the eggs people have in their fridge come from the store. These eggs have to be refrigerated in order to stay safe to eat because the protective coating on them has been washed off. Store eggs last about a month in the fridge.
If you’re ever unsure whether or not an egg has spoiled, put the egg in a bowl or a glass filled with water. If the egg lies flat, it’s good. If it stands up, it’s still good but it’s on its way out and needs to be used up as soon as possible. If the egg floats, it is spoiled and needs to be thrown away. Additionally, if you ever crack an egg and it smells bad or looks fluorescent in color, it isn’t any good and should not be eaten.
“The average American eats 250 eggs per year, which translates to a total annual consumption of 76.5 billion eggs in the U.S.”
–LifeHack.org
4. Expiration dates can be confusing.
Have you ever tried to determine how much longer your eggs were good for and had trouble translating the expiration date? Today.com explains why and breaks it down for us:
“All USDA inspected eggs require packing dates and plant numbers. But they could be confusing since about 15 states have their own egg safety regulations.
Expiration dates or sell-buy date: these dates extend no longer than 30 days from when the eggs were packed. Typically eggs will stay fresh 10-15 days after this date if properly stored.
Use-by or best before date: these dates are typically 45 days from packing.
Packing date: the day of the year, example today would show ‘360’, that the eggs were packed in the carton, usually within one week of egg laying.”
5. Eggs aren’t just for breakfast.
Eggs are such an affordable protein, and there are countless dishes you can make with eggs. But eggs aren’t just a breakfast food! Eggs go well with lunch and dinner, too, so don’t be afraid to experiment and incorporate them into meals beyond breakfast. Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Meat-and-Potato Quiche
- Mascarpone-Mushroom Frittata Stack
- Stir-Fry Rice Bowl
- Eggs and Chorizo Wraps
- Sausage and Crescent Roll Casserole