The Egg's Image Gets a Boost

[Guest guest]

>

> THE EGG'S IMAGE GETS A BOOST

>

> Eggs have been fighting an uphill battle for years against their

> image

> as cholesterol bombs. But in recent years, several studies have

> shown

> that egg consumption does not necessarily raise blood cholesterol or

> increase risk of heart disease.

>

> Unless you have heart disease or high cholesterol levels, there is

> no

> need to limit your intake of eggs. It's the yolk that contains the

> cholesterol, but the cholesterol-raising saturated fat content of

> whole eggs

> is not particularly high.

>

> Health experts think it is more important to limit foods high in

> saturated fat (fatty meats and dairy products) and trans-fatty acids

> (found

> in certain semi-hard oils, fried foods and commercial goods like

> pastries, chips and crackers). If your cholesterol level is healthy

> and you

> want to increase your consumption of eggs, have your cholesterol

> checked

> after a few months to make sure it's still at a healthy level.

>

> Egg whites are an excellent source of protein and riboflavin. Egg

> yolks

> contain all of the fat in an egg and are a good source of protein,

> iron, vitamins A and D, choline and phosphorus.

>

> Phosphorus is an important mineral, along with calcium, for the

> structure of bones and teeth, and is necessary for the many chemical

> reactions

> needed to produce energy for our bodies. Most of the phosphorus in

> our

> diets comes from dairy products, whole grains, meat, poultry, fish

> and

> eggs.

>

>