Why The FDA Wants Eggs To Be Officially Called A 'Healthy Food'

Eggs are unquestionably one of the most necessary ingredients in the food world. They are as important as a breakfast food as they are in baked goods, quiches, and other dishes. The 'incredible egg'  was coined that moniker for good reason. No matter if you prefer large, extra-large, brown, blue, or white, eggs are a ubiquitous and vital component of the food and culinary realms. 

For some reason, though, eggs have been viewed as a negative, "bad for you" food for quite some time. According to the FDA, though, it might now be time to make a formal adjustment to this outlook.

As announced in a press release by the American Egg Board, eggs may soon be officially known as a 'healthy food,' in response to the fact that the FDA announced a "new proposed definition" for the ingredient. President and CEO of the American Egg Board, Emily Metz, extolls the egg's virtues as "an all-around nutrient powerhouse [which] supplies nutrients such as choline, vitamin D, and essential fatty acids." 

This change comes about due to a recent change in the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, which does away with a limit for dietary cholesterol, noting that it is "no longer considered a nutrient of public health concern." The guidelines also note that there is supposedly now "no link" between consuming eggs and general cardiovascular or disease risk via high cholesterol. 

The press release goes on to report eggs' nourishing, healthful qualities, as well as their high protein content. Did you know that it's also a great initial food for babies, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding people? 

The announcement also notes, however, that has yet to become finalized, stating that there is a 90-day period before any sort of final determination by the FDA. Furthermore, it is by no means uncouth or illicit to deem eggs a 'healthy food' in your home or amongst friends — this is just more of an official clarification to help dispel any of the negative nutritional correlations that some may still incorrectly attribute to eggs on the whole.

To further detail the health benefits of eggs, the American Heart Association notes that they can boost the immune system, aid in metabolism function, and support a healthy liver. In addition, egg yolks can be helpful for eyesight, but that's more of a balancing act, since yolks can also increase cholesterol. A recent study reports that consuming one egg per day can actually help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

Of course, it's important to prepare eggs in healthful manners, without a glut of butter or salt. Also, enjoying egg whites and minimizing your yolk intake is suggested.