We’ve all seen those famous boxer movies where the main character downs a glass full of egg yolk. Aside from the fact that it appears to be disgusting, most people say that eating egg yolk can bring your body a variety of health benefits. As the quintessential breakfast food, eating the delicious yellow center of the egg could very well carry a variety of nutrients that your body needs throughout the day.
List of Pros of Eating Egg Yolk
1. Nourishing the Brain
Your brain is the most important part of your body as it tells all of your organs how and when to operate. Therefore you will want to take the time to make sure that your brain is getting a sufficient amount of nourishment. Egg yolks are an essential source of choline, which is a part of the B-vitamin family. Choline is a nutrient that helps to preserve our memory. It is important to note that if you are trying to cut back on the yolks, you can also get choline through peanuts, potatoes, sesame seeds, and oats.
2. Protecting Your Eyes
Imagine a world without being able to see as well as you do now. Egg yolks are not only great for nourishing the brain but they also help to protect our eyes and preserve them over the years. Yolks have zeaxanthin and lutein which helps to protect your eyes from UV rays produced by the sun. My adding zucchini, broccoli, romaine lettuce, and kale into your diet you will be getting more than enough of both nutrients daily.
3. More and More Vitamins
Unless you keep track of every single thing that you eat daily, you’re probably missing out on a bunch of vitamins. Honestly, most adults don’t eat enough of the right foods to ensure that they are truly eating a balanced diet. Egg yolks are home to the nutrients that most adults forget about such as vitamins A, B6, D, and E. When eaten in moderation, egg yolks can be a great addition to your everyday dietary plan.
List of Cons of Eating Egg Yolk
1. Let’s Talk About Cholesterol
Keeping your cholesterol levels low is essential for people who are worried about heart disease and a slew of other medical ailments. In an egg, there is approximately 213 mg of cholesterol just in its yolk, says Thomas Behrenbeck, M.D. at Mayo Clinic. The average amount of cholesterol that a healthy person should be eating every day is around 300 mg per day, so essentially that one egg yolk accounts for more than 90% of your daily cholesterol intake. For people who are suffering from diabetes or high levels of LDL (“bad” cholesterol) your daily intake should only be 200 mg.
Unless you have already been diagnosed with an illness relating to cholesterol, the effects of eating too much cholesterol every day will vary depending on the person. Instead of relying on egg yolks first thing in the morning, consider switching them out for egg whites, which have 0 cholesterol.
2. Calorie Counting
In order to make sure that your body stays at a healthy weight or if you’re interested in losing weight, you need to take your daily calories into account. Egg yolks are packed with calories that could cause you to gain weight faster than you ever imagined. Just by adding 3 scrambled eggs to your breakfast you will be eating an additional 225 calories minimum. According to the National Institutes of Health, eating a single egg yolk a day could add to at least 1 pound being gained in less than 3 weeks.
3. Fatty Content
Much like your calories, eating an egg yolk a day will increase the amount of fat that your body receives daily. It is true that you need some fat in your daily diet to make sure that your body absorbs certain vitamins and to make sure that your hormones are working properly, but it can also lead to an increased chance of developing heart disease. If you are working with a 2000 calorie diet, you will be able to consume between 44 and 77 grams of fat every day. A single large egg yolk has 5 grams of fat and if you have 3 scrambled eggs in the morning, it could account for up to 35% of the day’s fat intake.
Opting out of eating egg yolks every day is a responsible choice to protect the health of your heart but it doesn’t mean that you need to stop eating eggs all together. Instead, try taking advantage of egg whites or egg substitutes to have a healthier lifestyle. Think about this: 3 scrambled eggs accounts for 225 calories, 555 milligrams of cholesterol, and 15 grams of fat. If you’re trying to live a healthier and happier lifestyle, choosing the whites over the yolk could make quite a difference in your health.