Maybe you’re looking for a way to reduce foods high in cholesterol, or perhaps you’re trying to reduce your dependence on factory farming. If you’re interested in making a positive difference in both your health and the environment, consider reducing or eliminating eggs from your diet. Here you’ll find some reasons to help motivate you to cut back on eggs, and also some helpful tips on how to replace them with foods that still taste great.
Cholesterol
Many people avoid eggs because they are so high in cholesterol. If you are already struggling with high blood pressure, reducing your egg intake could help you lower it. Cardiovascular disease is a growing concern in America, and it can easily be combated by making small changes in your diet and exercise routine (though going to experts like those at the Cardiovascular Group is also likely a good idea). If eggs are currently a staple in your diet, consider reducing the number of eggs you eat slowly. It’s usually easier to cut back over time instead of eliminating eggs immediately.
Avoid Foodborne Illness
Eggs are one of the number one causes of foodborne illness, including salmonella, which can be deadly in some cases. Eggshells are porous, which makes them more susceptible for salmonella to grow. Salmonella can also get into the egg from the hen, and it’s estimated that one out of 20,000 eggs has at least a small amount of salmonella just from the process of being laid by the hen. It’s hard to tell which hens have salmonella, since it’s likely that they won’t show symptoms. Avoiding eggs, or at least reducing your intake, can help prevent you from contracting salmonella.
Cancer Concern
Studies have shown that heavy egg consumption might lead to some types of cancers. We know that eating a diet high in plant matter and low in animal products is the healthiest way to go, but many people don’t consider eggs to be harmful. However, the World Health Organization conducted a study within 34 different countries, and discovered that egg consumption was linked to colon and rectal cancer. While eggs might not directly cause cancer, if you’d like to reduce your risk, you can work on cutting back on eggs.
Animal Rights
Unfortunately, most people don’t think about where their food comes from. It’s a sad truth that most eggs come from hens that are treated inhumanely and forced to live their lives in cramped pens until they are no longer producing, and then they are sent to slaughter. If the thought of this bothers you, you can make a difference by eliminating eggs from your diet. There are so many alternatives to eggs now that you’re almost sure to not miss out on your favorite foods. If you’re a fan of cookies (and who isn’t?), you can try Just Cookie Dough by Hampton Creek.
Help the Environment
If you’re interested in reducing your carbon footprint, reducing your dependency on animal products is one of the best things you can do. The meat, poultry, dairy, and egg industry create huge emissions, and the water usage is enormous. By making a simple change like switching to eggless mayo instead of opting for traditional mayo, you will save a bathtub of water while not sacrificing flavor.
Save Money
Last but not least, when you cut down on eggs, you’ll likely save money. The price of eggs has risen steeply over the last few years, and egg prices are expected to rise even more. It’s not uncommon to see eggs selling for $6 for a dozen, and if another outbreak of the bird flu arises, you can expect the price of eggs to soar. Since birds are kept in such close quarters, outbreaks of disease are very common. When there’s an increased risk of illness and fewer eggs are deemed safe, the prices will rise to reflect that.
Make a Difference
To start making a difference in your health, the lives of animals, and the environment, you can start cutting back on eggs by analyzing how often you eat them. It might be more difficult to reduce your intake if you’ve been eating scrambled eggs and bacon for breakfast every day, but luckily, it’s easy to start small. There are so many eggless products available that have been developed to taste great without the high cholesterol of real eggs that you’ll be able to find an excellent substitute for eggs that doesn’t feel like a compromise.