Eating raw eggs: protein in eggs, safety concerns, nutrition, and most nutrient dense eggs.

Are you afraid of eating raw eggs?  I was terrified the very first time I ate a raw egg, but I got over that fear when nothing bad happened.

The protein in eggs are found in both the egg yolk and in the egg whites. 

I personally believe that the protein in eggs are more digestible when you eat them raw, which is how I prefer to eat my eggs. 

Raw eggs were commonly eaten in the past.

In the past, cracking a raw egg into a dish like sukiyaki was not seen as any type of problem.  My father did all the time when I was a young girl.

Raw eggs were also added into Asian soups to add more texture and nutrition. 

Let's not forget that mayonnaise, Caesar salads, tiramisu, and egg nog were traditionally made with raw eggs! 

The question is who decided to make it a problem?

Egg white protein called avidin: a big concern to some!

It has been said that an egg white protein called avidin can block the nutrient biotin under certain circumstances.

What is biotin?  Biotin is either vitamin B7 or B8 (I've seen both) and helps with the synthesis of fatty acids, amino acids, and glucose.

Researchers have identified a specific protein in raw egg whites called avidin which has the ability to bind together with biotin and prevent its absorption.

However, in practice a biotin deficiency may only occur with a prolonged consumption of an exceptionally large number of raw egg whites.

It has been said that cooking your eggs will deactivate avidin and prevent this issue. 

Eating your eggs sunny side up is another way of deactivating avidin in the egg white protein while not damaging all of the fragile proteins in the egg yolk.

Still other scientists have identified the egg yolk as one of the most dense sources of biotin in your diet! 

It's thought that as long as you eat the biotin rich egg yolk along with the egg white, there will probably be no risk of a biotin deficiency.

Eating raw eggs: is it safe?

I've been eating raw eggs for decades and if anything it has helped me to be stronger - you know like in the movie "Rocky". 

I usually have two raw eggs to start my day.  One at a time in a 4 oz. mason jar.

I've heard the odds are less than 1 in 30,000 chance of contracting salmonella poisoning and that's from commercial eggs. 

There is even less risk in organic eggs and pastured eggs.

Eating raw eggs may have many benefits as eggs contain essential nutrients for your brain, nerves, glands and hormones.

The protein in eggs will contain sulfur amino acids that help to keep you young and eggs are a great source of glutathione.  Both of these nutrients are often destroyed when you cook your eggs!

Nutritional powerhouse: why eggs are so important for health!

Do you remember this marketing line, "the incredible, edible egg" from a commercial back in the day? 

Eggs truly are an incredible food and the protein in eggs contain all the essential amino acids in the exact proportions required for the optimal maintenance of your muscle tissue.

Eggs have a good amount of cholesterol which your body does need by the way.  However, eggs also contain lecithin which markedly aids with the metabolism of cholesterol.

The fat found in eggs is about 1/3 saturated fat and the rest is mainly monounsaturated fat with a small percentage of polyunsaturated fat.

Refrigerating your eggs: how it affects the nutrient density of your eggs.

I have learned that the temperature in our refrigerators are too cold for the proteins in eggs. 

Temperatures that are too cold or too hot will start to destroy some of the nutrients and proteins in your eggs. 

This means that you will not get as much benefits from the consumption of eggs.

I like to keep my eggs on a cool counter out of direct sunlight just like the Europeans do in their kitchens.  

If you want to get more nutrition from consuming eggs, keep your eggs at the right temperature.  It really does seem to matter!

I always look for organic and pasture raised eggs - preferably straight from a good quality farm.

Most nutrient dense eggs: are from healthy chickens living outdoors in the sunshine!

Eating raw eggs from healthy chickens that were raised correctly is what I only recommend. 

Did you know that chickens need to be outdoors to get an adequate amount of vitamin D from the sunshine?

Chickens will also be healthier when they can get their protein from natural sources like bugs and worms - not soy!

Chickens are not vegetarians!

Pastured chicken eggs are going to be the most nutrient dense eggs and will have more nutrients like vitamins A, D, K, and E along with Omega 3 fatty acids.

Typically, the more orange the egg yolk - the more vitamin A or nutrient dense the egg will be. 

Eggs that come from chickens that were raised "indoors", fed soy, or toxic feed should be avoided!