Egg limit lifted, so get cracking!

It’s eggs-cellent news for egg lovers with the Heart Foundation recommending that Kiwi’s with increased risk of heart disease can eat up to six eggs per week as part of a heart-healthy diet.

This follows international research and subsequent recommendations from organisations globally, who have relaxed their advice on egg consumption.

In line with this, the Heart Foundation commissioned an independent scientific report titled ‘Eggs and the Heart’ which was issued in January this year.

The recommendations also reinforce that the general healthy population can include eggs as part of a nutritious eating pattern, with a focus on more important diet changes rather than restricting egg consumption.

“This includes increasing vegetable intake, eating more whole and less processed foods and reducing saturated fat intake,” National Nutrition Advisor for the Heart Foundation, Angela Berrill, says.

Although egg yolks are high in dietary cholesterol, the weight of evidence suggests eggs have only a very small effect on blood cholesterol levels, Berrill adds.

“While evidence is not clear enough to say there’s no association between dietary cholesterol and heart disease, it is also not strong enough to continue previous recommendations which limited egg intake to three per week,” Berrill said.

“Eggs are also an inexpensive source of protein and offer other nutrients such as carotenoids, vitamin D, B12, selenium and choline.”

Egg Producers Federation chairman, Michael Guthrie, says this updated recommendation is wonderful news and something the New Zealand egg industry is in support of.

“Loved by Kiwis of all ages, eggs are enjoying a worldwide renaissance as they’re recognised as an affordable, natural protein, low in fat and high in essential vitamins and minerals,” Guthrie said.

The New Zealand Nutrition Foundation supports this view adding that eggs are a great way to include protein in your diet.

“Eating eggs also has a positive impact on hunger suppression and can boost satiety, improve concentration and performance all round,” New Zealand Nutrition Foundation Dietitian, Sarah Hanrahan, says.

For more information on eggs, including heart-friendly recipes, visit www.eggs.org.nz or www.facebook.com/nzeggs