After a day filled with hunting Easter eggs, many people ask about the nutritional value of eggs. The USDA recently reviewed standard large eggs from across the country and found that in the past decade the average nutrient content of eggs has changed.
Cholesterol levels have gone down, and vitamin D levels have gone up. What caused this change? The USDA estimates that the diet of hens has changed over the years and altered nutrients within the egg as a result.
This is a very important finding because eggs are very nutrient dense — meaning that they provide lots of vitamins and minerals in a relatively small amount of calories.
One egg has only 70 calories, and at less than 15 cents each, you get a lot of bang for your buck.
Enjoying eggs as a regular part of your diet does not necessarily mean that you are getting too much cholesterol. One egg per day or a couple of eggs every other day will not put you over the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans of 300 mg, as long as you make low-cholesterol choices throughout the rest of your day.
