Whoa...the one on the left is our typical "large" size egg..the one on the right is "extra" extra large! I haven't cracked it yet but I bet it is a double yolker too!Thanks to the warm weather and a tip on lighting from Gigi (set your lights on a timer to come on at 4 am and go off at 10 pm) our hens are back to laying an egg per day. That's pretty amazing when you think of it...that their bodies can sustain themselves and produce one of these nutrient dense little beauties...every day!!
Some interesting nutritional facts about eggs...
| One Canada Grade A large egg (50g) contains:: Energy | 70 Calories |
| Protein | 6 g |
| Fat | 5 g |
| Polyunsaturates | 0.8 g |
| Monosaturates | 2 g |
| Saturates | 1.5 g |
| Trans fat | 0 g |
| Cholesterol | 190 mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0 g |
Percentage of RDI provided by one Canada Grade A large egg (50 g)*:
| Vitamin A | 8% |
| Vitamin D | 2% |
| Vitamin E | 6% |
| Thiamin | 3% |
| Riboflavin | 15% |
| Niacin | 6% |
| Vitamin B6 | 2% |
| Folate | 15% |
| Vitamin B12 | 30% |
| Pantothenic Acid | 15% |
| Calcium | 2% |
| Phosphorus | 6% |
| Magnesium | 2% |
| Iron | 2% |
| Zinc | 5% |
Eat Eggs for Your Eyesight
Egg yolks contain lutein and zeaxanthin, two antioxidants from the carotenoid family that contribute to improving eye health and protecting eyes from ultraviolet rays. These two carotenoids help to reduce the risk of age-related macular degeneration, the main cause of blindness in Canadians over 65 years of age.
Eggs and Memory
Eggs are an excellent source of choline. Choline is known as the memory vitamin because it is an important part of a neurotransmitter that helps preserve the integrity of the electrical transmission across the gaps between nerves. It aids brain function and enhances thinking capacity and memory. Recent studies show that providing extra choline during pregnancy plays an essential role in brain development and higher memory capabilities throughout life. Choline also seems helpful in treating memory deficiencies in adults.
From the Alberta Egg Producers http://www.eggs.ab.ca/about/eggnutrition.htm
UPDATE: even better are the stats attributed to free-range eggs:
• 1⁄3 less cholesterol
• 1⁄4 less saturated fat
• 2⁄3 more vitamin A
• 2 times more omega-3 fatty acids
• 3 times more vitamin E
• 7 times more beta carotene
hmmm, interesting! My husband is the big egg eater around here and I swear he has the worst memory! hah! Maybe I'll have to double his intake...
ReplyDeleteThe lutein in eggs is also VERY good for your eyes.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to have about 4 chickens. I've heard about extending their light exposure through winter for the egg laying. We eat a lot of eggs.
Wow, Joanne, you make me think of Laura Ingalls as an adult. She was known for getting eggs from her hens all year round. I bet you are enjoying those eggs all the more.
ReplyDelete