The Biggest Benefit Of Eating Poached Eggs
What are some of the healthiest foods you could be eating for breakfast? You may be thinking yogurt, fresh fruit, oatmeal, even whole grain avocado toast (is that still a thing now that the twenty-tens are history?). But have you considered a poached egg? This incredible edible is a surprising nutritional powerhouse.
BBC Good Food says that eggs are a great source of inexpensive, yet high-quality protein. In fact, they are considered a complete protein source, as they includes all nine essential amino acids that the human body needs but cannot produce on its own. These amino acids, according to SF Gate, nourish skin, hair, and bones, support muscle tissue, and keep the immune system in good working order.
Surprisingly enough, more than half of an egg's protein is found in the white. Egg whites also provide vitamin B12, while yolks have fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as lecithin. Eggs also contain vitamin B6, selenium, copper, iron, and zinc, and some brands of eggs (coming from chickens that have been fed a special diet) are even enriched with omega-3 fatty acids.
Why are poached eggs better for you?
No matter how you like your eggs cooked, you'll get the same great nutritional benefits. If you want to enjoy eggs without any added fat or calories, however, then you need to try poaching them. Poached eggs have a creamy, delicate texture that's sure to appeal even if you've grown used to eating your eggs scrambled or over-easy, but all you need to cook them in is water (and perhaps a touch of vinegar).
SF Gate points out that if you were to eat eggs cooked in a tablespoon of butter five days a week, and then made the switch to eating poached eggs, this would save you approximately 500 calories per week, or 26,000 calories per year. As it takes about 3,500 calories to lose one pound of fat (via the Mayo Clinic), this simple switch would allow you to lose about 7.5 pounds in a year's time. Okay, so maybe not enough to make you The Biggest Loser, but every little bit helps, right? Oh, and if you're afraid to try your hand at egg poaching, don't be. It's really not that complicated, as long as you make sure to follow these tips for perfect poached eggs. Tasty, healthy, and easy, too. Best. Breakfast. Ever.