Sunny Side Up – In Defense of the Egg

I must admit to a bit of righteous indignation upon reading, “What To Eat NOW: The Eggless Diet.” I  concur that eggs are cheap, easy and versatile. However, that’s about where I part ways with this blasphemy of the egg.

Argument No.1: Are There Really THAT Many Allergies to Eggs?

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, medical author for Medicinenet.com, says, “…only about 1% of adults and 3% of children have clinically proven true allergic reactions to food.” However, some people, especially children, may have allergies to eggs, so it’s best to listen to your pediatrician as to when to start your infant on any food other than mother’s milk or formula.

And yes, eggs do contain high levels of cholesterol. To be exact, Mayo Clinic cardiologist Thomas Behrenbeck, advises, “One large egg has about 213 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk.” Ergo, if you like eggs but don’t want the extra cholesterol, use only the egg whites. Behrenbeck reiterates, “Egg whites contain no cholesterol.” Mmmm, meringue anyone?

Argument No.2: The “Ladies” Who Live in My Husband’s Hen House

Here’s where my real problem with the article lies, er, lays? uh … is — the part about the chickens being treated abominably. The author does state that this is not always the case, and I appreciate that. I also agree that, obviously, this IS sometimes the case — after seeing those horrible pictures.

There isn’t enough money to pay me to eat an egg produced where these wonderful, generous creatures are treated so brutally.  Something definitely needs to be done –  like boycotting the producers, or worse. But, I truly don’t think eggs are so easily replaced in our diets, and besides, chickens are tons of fun to raise.

My husband raises these gorgeous Rhode Island Reds who follow him around and tell him when it’s time to eat. In fact, they go

in search of him when they don’t think he’s getting their evening meal “served” soon enough. But, after they’ve followed him back to their  custom-built hen castle — little chicken tummies happy — they rest, safe for the night (after a day of having the run of the place). The reward? Perfect, huge, brown eggs, the taste of like you wouldn’t believe.

I promise, “these ladies” are treated better than I am. But then, I’ve never been known for my egg-laying ability, and I really don’t plan on starting now.

Wrap-up: Just for Fun — Check This Out

If you aren’t lucky enough to have your own chickens or know someone you can get fresh eggs from, you might examine the requirements for  Eggland’s Best’s Cage Free and Organic eggs, or check out “Backyard Poultry’s,” beautiful birds and the products that keep them happy. And then — if — just IF, you still aren’t convinced, take a gander (no pun intended… Oh, sure it was…) at Scott Duncan’s “Pet Chickens . . . What do they have in common with Teddy Bears, Psychologists, Omelets and Happy Kids?” in For the Love of Chickens. Case closed.