Full of vital nutrients and protein, eggs could make a great addition to your weight loss diet
Eggs have been historically demonized for their high cholesterol content, but it may be time to leave the witch hunt. Absolved of claims that they increase the risk of heart disease, eggs are now highlighted by dietary experts as an excellent source for many of the nutrients our bodies need most. They contain myriad vitamins (D, A, E, B12, B6) and minerals (potassium, iron, phosphorus, zinc, calcium) as well as a high protein, antioxidant and healthy fat content.
This doesn’t mean you should start downing raw eggs like you’re preparing for a big boxing match, but studies have shown that eating one egg a day (a maximum of seven per week) can be of great benefit to any diet. You should always ask Dr. Stewart before incorporating new foods into your weight loss diet, but if you’re a patient of a bariatric procedure like LAP-BAND in Dallas, it may be time to stop avoiding eggs and start using them as a healthy source of protein.
Weight Loss Benefits
Research shows that the high protein content in eggs can make you feel full faster. Eaten in the morning, the satiety provided by eggs can help you reduce the number of calories you eat throughout the rest of the day, making them an excellent help in weight management and curbing the desire to snack or overeat. Protein also has a hand in just about every essential function of a healthy body—just be sure to balance your intake, as overloading on protein-rich foods can contribute unnecessary fat and calories to your diet.
Though it does contain about one-fifth of the egg’s protein content, the yolk is also where most of the egg’s fat resides, while the white is composed mainly of healthy protein. Eating the yolk won’t do you any harm—the majority of egg fat is the healthy kind—but to cut down on fat while maximizing protein, try separating the whites or combining one whole egg with extra whites when cooking.
Other Benefits
Eggs contain about 23 percent of your body’s needed daily intake of choline, which is crucial for cells that contribute to nutrient distribution, nerve and metabolism function and memory. They also contain 27 percent of needed selenium, as well as other antioxidants like lutein and zeaxanthin which help to protect cells from damage via foreign agents in the body called free radicals. With these nutrients and others like phosphorus, vitamin B12 and riboflavin, eggs have been shown to boost energy levels, regulate cell function and improve the health of bones and teeth.
Chock full of all these dietary benefits, the egg is nature’s proof that good things come in small packages. With so many nutrients and different ways of preparation—try an egg white veggie omelet or throw some hard-boiled slices on top of your next salad—eggs can be a great addition to any weight loss diet, so get cracking!
