Energy and The Big Fat Egg-xaggeration...
I love eggs. I love ‘em soft, over, up, scrambled, hard boiled and even *raw.
I’m a fan of eggs the way some people are a fan of U2. Hence, it’s hard for me to rough them up like this but they’ve got this one coming...
I just watched a new advertising campaign for the Egg about eggs being “Energy for Body and Mind” and I think it’s rotten.
Seems the Egg Council —who came up with the winning, “the incredible edible egg”—is hitching their white wagons to two the mega-trend of Energy. It’s all about energy these days. Doesn’t matter if your selling energy drinks, pills or laundry detergent—everyone would have you believe their product is going boost your energy.
Eggs are a brilliant source of protein. Dang right. They’re packed with vital nutrients, and healthy fats (Omega 3’s and 6’s) and are a great food, even with the yolk.
Got it. But energy? Yeah and beer has protein.
Come on folks.
In marketing, “energy” is the sexy word used in place of CARBS, CARBS… carbs for sale. And while carbs do provide cellular energy, at the rate most bring them in they turn you into a fat storage tank.
adding 5 gallons of water to a 1 gallon bucket will give it more water.
While an egg does have a fraction of a carb (~ 0.3 - 0.5 gm) they’re no more a source of energy than a piece of salmon. And even if they’ve opted to leverage the relatively high fat content of the whole egg as the energy source, we both know it’s a major stretch.
I appreciated when the egg council made protein a case—for I knew that they too were supporting the awareness of protein as a part of a diet. But “energy?” It’s bad enough that every sugar peddling mega-company is pushing energy down American’s throats to the point that we have the largest reserve of excess energy on the planet around our waistlines.
What’s wrong with some nice version of the truth? Something like, “Eggs are a wonderful source of protein and when consumed as a part of balanced meal, they help you sustain your energy longer, and keep you going stronger.”
There I go again expecting the high-road when it’s all about trends and reacting to gain market share at all costs. Perhaps I’m disappointed that one of my nutritional hero’s is for sale—that the egg has stooped to the lowest form of nutritional prostitution. It says we’ll do anything to move one.
Coming Clean on Egg Whites
While I’m on the egg rant, I’ve got a confession to make. I made an error in my book, Strength for Life. In the nutrition section, Chapter 11, I list foods that are “approved” or good foods and in this list it notes “egg whites.” This statement seems to support the myth that it’s only the whites that are good for you.
That is wrong and I know it. I’ve mentioned this error before but it’s worth noting that it’s an oversight. I let one slip. In the vast depth of wisdom in this book, it’s not much of a slip but I’ve been reminded of it a few times and want to keep on correcting it.
Eggs, the Right Way
When I eat eggs, which is no where near what it used to be, I usually go for 3 whole eggs and 3 whites—a 50-50 blend whites and whole yolkful eggs.
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