If someone told us that the humble egg was the world’s next superhero, we’d wholeheartedly agree that the cape is well-deserved. In addition to being healthy and affordable, they’re also incredibly versatile—show us another food that delivers on those promises, meal after meal.
Ask a trained chef to name the ingredient they can’t live without, and we’re betting you’ll hear “eggs” nine times out of ten. And for good reason, too. Anyone who has spent considerable time in the kitchen knows what eggs can do. The average home cook, though, might not have the full picture of how remarkable this staple is, so we thought we’d take a few minutes to run down the many reasons to always have a dozen eggs on hand.
Keep reading for the goods.
Eggs are a nutritional powerhouse
When you’re looking for a filling meal or snack packed with the good stuff your body needs, the answer is always eggs. A single large egg contains six and a half grams of protein, as well as nutrients like vitamin D (which supports bone health and your immune system), choline (which aids in metabolism and liver health, and contributes to fetal brain development) and selenium (which is important for things like reproductive and thyroid health).
Eggs are the definition of versatility
You might jump to bacon and eggs first when you envision an egg-based meal, but that’s just the starting point. Eggs can be transformed into pretty much anything, for all kinds of occasions (you’ll even find egg-based dishes on the menus of fine dining restaurants!). On their own, they can be scrambled, fried, poached, boiled…the list goes on. Eggs are also the main ingredient in omelettes, frittatas and souffles. They can also be incorporated into pasta and noodle dishes, tacos, casseroles and more, and they can be added to things like custards and sauces, to add richness and depth, or used as a binder in things like meatloaf or burgers.
Eggs are quick and convenient
If you have eggs in your fridge, you’re always five minutes away from a meal. A fried egg sandwich, a plate of creamy scrambled eggs or an omelette can quickly mollify hangry kids. An egg-based dish can also come in clutch on busy weeknights when you need to feed your brood in between extracurricular activities.
Eggs are an economical source of protein
Grocery bills seem to be climbing week after week, with no end in sight, but eggs are a budget-friendly source of high-quality protein. Compared to other sources of protein, like chicken, beef or fish, eggs are definitely easier on your wallet—their price point is lower and they can be stretched farther.
Eggs have a long shelf life
When stored properly, eggs can stay fresh for several weeks. Always store eggs in the fridge, in their original carton, with the large ends facing up (this is how they are packed, to help the yolk remain centered). Don’t store eggs in the refrigerator door, as the opening and closing of the door results in an inconsistent temperature.
If this list isn’t enough to convince you to add a carton of eggs to your weekly shop, maybe a quick glance at our ParentsCanada x Get Cracking weekly meal plan will do it for you. Take a look at how eggs can be used in every meal, day after day, to boost your family’s protein, vitamin and mineral intake. We bet eggs will be the first item on your grocery list in no time.
EGG-CITING FACTS
- Back in the ’60s, ’70s and ’80s, it was believed that eggs should be consumed sparingly in order to keep cholesterol in check. This myth was debunked in 1999 (and many times after that) when a Harvard study found that eating an egg a day was unlikely to have an impact on the risk of heart disease in healthy adults, and that dietary cholesterol from foods like eggs does not impact your blood cholesterol.
- People used to wait until after the age of one to introduce eggs to infants, for fear their baby might develop an egg allergy. Now, Health Canada, the Canadian Pediatric Society, Dietitians of Canada and the Breastfeeding Committee for Canada advise that eggs are an ideal first food for infants starting at 6 months, or whenever they start solids. Get Cracking has the rundown on starting solids here.
