By Alison Peake
We do take them for granted, but think where we would be without eggs?
The fact that we call a good person a good ‘egg’ indicates we hold them in high regard.
A mainstay of the weekly shopping list we wouldn’t have cakes without them and how often do we rely on them to whip up an instant meal? A five minute omelette or quiche and how lonely would our bacon be without a fried, poached or scrambled egg or French toast for accompaniment.
But while no pantry is complete without them it is at this festive time of year that we rely so much on the not so humble Google. Christmas fare that needs the addition of eggs includes Xmas pudding, stuffing for the turkey, Xmas Cake, homemade mayonnaise for dressing the lobster, egg whites for pavlova and the yolks for custard and for the traditionalists what about Egg Nog?
And if you maybe over indulged a little on Christmas Day how about a breakfast Boxing Day cook up full English breakfast style.
While we possibly take them for granted eggs are highly nutritious and one of the best sources of protein available. They are actually a little powerhouse of nutrition containing choline, vitamin D, Omega 3s as well as a range of vitamins and minerals including vitamin A, vitamin E and selenium.
These all act as important antioxidants in supporting eye health and are rich in the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which play a protective role in reducing the risk of certain eye diseases, including cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Eggs can also help increase high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels – or ‘good’ cholesterol as it’s commonly known. As well as containing useful amounts of vitamins A, E, B5, B12, and iron, iodine and phosphorus – all vital nutrients in supporting your healthy, balanced diet. So just like a multi vitamin only much tastier.
Buy your eggs from a trusted source so you can ask about animal welfare issues, feed regimes and stocking levels because if the chooks aren’t healthy and well cared for you are buying an inferior product. Or think about backyard chooks and ‘grow’ your own.
[Photo: Daniel Tuttle]
