I think too much.
I will preface this post with that statement.
Last week, I think it was last week, I started to write a post about hard-boiled eggs. I had wanted to get a post done at the beginning of the week and start getting better at scheduling them.
But then I started researching…and researching…and researching.
And now, many days later, I am sitting down to get the post out to you.
When I am planning on writing something, anything, I usually work it out in my head first. It starts as a (sometimes) far-fetched idea and then in the back of my mind, I work on narrowing it down, adding ideas and details, fleshing it out before I finally sit down to the computer.
In between all that, I look up information using different sources to get a common bond.
Now, in telling you all that, and letting you peek inside my brain (careful you do not get stuck there) leads me back to my eggs.
In my quest to get healthier and lose weight (God willing), I have been looking for ways to cut out carbohydrates in my daily life.
Recently, I started eating two hard-boiled eggs and a banana for breakfast. It actually fills me up and keeps me going until lunch. I alternate with oatmeal and a banana at times too.
After doing this for over a month, I started worrying about my cholesterol levels. I am already on a statin and I really would like to get off that medicine entirely, depending on how successful I am at this weight loss stuff. I have read things about statins that lead me to this conclusion.
That is where the research began…and continues.
If you try to look up information to see if eating hard-boiled eggs or eggs in general is good for you, you can drive yourself crazy with the amount of conflicting information, facts, and research.
I was hoping to find a definite “Yes, they are fine to eat every day.”
Yet, here I sit writing that I am not entirely sure.
Eggs are one of the most nutritious foods that you can eat.
They contain:
- 6 grams of muscle building protein
- metabolism-boosting B vitamins
- 5 grams of fat but 2.7 g is mono and polyunsaturated
- Omega 3s
- Vitamin D which helps calcium absorption for strong teeth, bones
- Selenium, antioxidant that supports thyroid, immune function
- 7 micrograms of vitamin B9 folic acid
- Potassium
- 100 mg choline to regulate cell and brain function
- Lutein and zeaxanthin (carotenoids) to reduce risk of macular degeneration
- 186 mg of cholesterol (all in the yolk)
Cholesterol
The downside…cholesterol. Just what is it? It is a kind of fat found in your blood.
It is a complicated subject on its own. If you are an adult, you have heard about it your whole adult life.
Do not eat this! Do not eat that! So many foods have been eliminated from our diets as we get older. No fun!
Generally, our bodies make their own cholesterol. Our bodies need it for the cell membranes, and for producing hormones, among other things.
It is also found in some foods. If we eat too much of these foods and our body can not get rid of enough of it, plaque may form in our arteries in our heart, which can narrow them, which can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
May form. There is not a forgone conclusion. There are people who will swear by eating eggs every morning, steak at night and washing them both down with a big glass of whole milk.
The Research
Imagine my confusion when I went to research about including eggs in our diet. One article has the research that eggs do not increase our cholesterol in our bodies. Another article has a study that says that eating eggs can increase our cholesterol. Over and over again there were conflicting reports.
There are many studies, backed by research journals, and performed by top companies and doctors. You can look it up yourself. I feel like I spent days on the subject.
Some of the studies cited stated that it depended on the health of the people to begin with. A healthy person should not worry about eating eggs. A person with risk factors for heart disease should limit their consumption of eggs.
Which leads us to, what? I am not sure.
My Conclusion
So much of my research in every topic I have read about different diets, lifestyles, weight loss plans, etc. comes down to the individual.
This individual (me) is trying to eliminate carbohydrates in her diet. I found that eating hard-boiled eggs in the morning keeps me feeling full until lunchtime.
Eggs seem to have so many benefits to our bodies and mind. I will continue to eat my hard-boiled eggs throughout the week, but I may have to make some adjustments.
I may not eat every egg yolk. I also may do it every other day and switch off with oatmeal as well.
I am due for a blood test anyway in the future, so I may see how my cholesterol level is then to make further conclusions about the state of eggs in my diet.
Actually, I am hoping that I see better results this year than I had last year.
After all, I have been steadily walking on the treadmill in the gym (three times a week), watching out for carbohydrates, drinking more water, and trying to not eat as many foods with saturated fats. I have also upped my vegetable intake with making salad swaps at dinner a few times a week.
Will these changes lower my “bad” cholesterol (LDL)?
Will these changes raise my “good” cholesterol (HDL)?
Will I be able to eliminate taking my statin?
And will any of these good habits that I am working on help me start to lose weight?
That is my big question.
And what about you? Do you eat eggs, or do you shy away from them?
I am sure you have heard the information about them over the years as well. After seeing all the nutritional value in them, does that influence you?
Tell me your thoughts about eggs in the comments below.
It is an eggs-citing topic. (I could not resist, sorry!)
Hi Susan, I agree that you can talk yourself into, or out of, just about anything by doing internet research! For me, it’s one or two eggs several times a week. They keep me feeling full, like you, and they are low in carbs. I try to go with a ‘moderation in everything I do’ philosophy, and my eating habits reflect that (at least I try!)
You are good to be able to moderate in everything. That is awesome. I’m working on the food part, though not this past weekend. But I’m learning to go back instead of giving up totally. A slip up is a slip up! The internet can drive me crazy though. So many options, opinions, studies, etc. to find on every topic. How did we survive before the internet?
It is confusing!! I’m supposed to eat a low-palate diet (kidney stones). This means no nuts, seeds, berries, spinach, dark leafy greens, or beans of any kind. What do they say you should replace chips and cookies w to snack on? nuts and trail mix. So I have tirned to eggs as a protein-filled snack. I don’t think it’s hurting me. My bigger problem is sodium 😒
I think sometimes we are d#&? if we do and d#&? if we don’t, right? I know spinach has too many minerals that build up in stones. But geesch, it leaves you with less ideas of what to eat. It’s hard to eat well, try to eat naturally, and watch the carbs, fats, sodium, blah, blah, blah! Good luck with finding things to eat. Hopefully, pizza is still on your acceptable foods. Eggs are filling though. They are on the satiety scale. Might have written that correctly. Keeps me filled.
Not low-palate..low-oxalate!
You lost me on either term. 🙂
The trouble is, media today is so obsessed with giving “both sides” of the story that it just leaves people confused. Sometimes all you want is: “Yes, this is okay to eat. Don’t have 5 dozen each meal.”
I like eggs and eat quite a few and my cholesterol is always well in acceptable limits!
Good to know that people eat a lot and cholesterol is still good. There’s other factors of course but since I’ve been moving more and actually thinking about what I am eating (mostly, tee, hee), I hope for good results when I check my yearly blood. I think that even when the dr tells us “Yes” or “No” they aren’t really sure. And the information does change due to more studies and probably when the pharmaceutical companies get involved too. So, I probably should just relax about it but keep in mind the moderation of it, in all things, really.
Well…..I do eat eggs and generally do not worry about the number of them I eat per week. My 19 year old son will eat 4-5 at a time in his scrambled mess he makes about every morning (afternoon, you know when he actually wakes up). I have heard, of course, that they increase your cholesterol, but feel like moderation is the way to go with most things. I hope for the best test results for you!! It’s time I schedule these…they are all overdue. : (
Thanks for the reminder! And, for all the thoughts put into the post!
Your 19 year old son has nothing to worry about at his age eating that many eggs. Not sure if our generation would be that lucky. I remember eating everything bad but cholesterol was still low then. But who knows? There are so many nutritional benefits to eggs though. And yes, to moderation. Plus, I am working on the food in general so I figure that it has to be better for my health to be watching the other parts as well. Good luck to both of us!
Great article as always. It sure can be confusing. Same with butter and milk and so many others. Butter was bad but margarine was better. Then margarine was bad and butter was good.. and so on and such forth.
I have also done research for quite a bit on this and I can very strongly recommend a book (I may even have a copy sitting around) called Deep Nutrition by Catherine Shanahan M.D.
She is the Los Angeles Lakers nutritionist and one of the most sought after opinions on the subject of healthy nutrition. I would also recommend following Dr. Jack Kruse on Facebook. He’s a renowned Neurosurgeon who is so brilliant that it can be hard to follow along.
Both of these experts will strongly advocate the eating of eggs.
In the world of athletics where nutrition plays a huge part, eggs have always been a major staple of the diet and I believe the research shows eggs do far more good than harm, if any..I try not to be biased because they are one of my favorite foods. Hard boiled, scrambled, over easy, sunny side up.. yes please and all of the above!
I wish you guys a very Happy Easter!!
p.s. I’m off to boil a couple eggs now and eat them with salt and pepper!
You “crack” me up reading your comment. Yes, pun intended for my egg post. They work so well on me to get me through the whole morning, but I’m trying to pay attention and switch off a little or not eat the whole yolk. Cutting carbs is hard and worse as you get older, I’ll warn you now. I’ll have to check out those people you mentioned and look them up, or borrow the book. Enjoy your eggs, anyway you want them. Hope you had a great Easter too.