Eggs are a power food for your body, but where should you buy them? It’s farm fresh eggs vs. grocery store eggs, let’s discuss what exactly goes into a healthy egg.
Let’s talk about eggs. They all look the same on the outside, but on the inside, it is a whole different story. Our journey to farm fresh eggs began when we made the decision to raise ducks on our 1/4 acre lot in the suburbs. It was our first step (other than a small garden) in controlling where our food comes from. If you don’t know where your food comes from, it is time to start paying attention! The food industry is interested in profit, not your health. So, it is important to do your own research and find out just what is going into your body.
But eggs? I mean you can’t really mess those up can you? Of course you can! Eggs are a power food, if you buy the right ones. I hate to say it, but all eggs are not created equal.
There are many people who don’t even realize how amazing the egg really is!
Benefits of eggs
Before we get into those snazzy food labels, let’s take a look at the benefit of the beautiful egg. Eggs are loaded with vitamins, minerals and protein that promote a healthy body. They contain 13 essential vitamins and minerals! Now, let me reiterate, all eggs are NOT created equal.
The list I have provided is based on healthy chickens that have access to all day sunlight, are allowed to graze, and have quality feed. This is why I advocate for farm fresh eggs. Grocery store eggs, no matter what their labels proclaim, will not have all the vitamins and nutrients listed below.
- For starters, farm fresh eggs provide valuable protein for your body. Protein is essential for strengthening and repairing your muscles.
- They are nutrient rich, containing Vitamin D, A, E, B2, B5, B12, iron, iodine, phosphorous, selenium, and folate. That is a lot of nutrients!
- Farm fresh eggs increase HDL levels a.k.a the GOOD cholesterol.
- They contain Omega 3 fatty acids which is important for heart and brain health.
- The antioxidants in farm fresh eggs, along with Vitamins A and E and selenium, promote eye health.
- We have already mentioned Vitamin D, but the Vitamin D in eggs plays an important role in the absorption of calcium and phosphorous. These are essential for healthy bones and teeth. Again, you won’t be getting the Vitamin D when the chickens are packed in a cement building with no sunlight.
Eggs really are a power food! Check out more benefits here.
Grocery store Egg Carton Labels
With all the health benefits of eggs, it makes sense to buy the healthiest, freshest eggs around. It is a waste of money to buy grocery store eggs when they are lacking the vitamins and nutrients that the original egg was intended to produce.
With this in mind, let’s break down some of the labels that grocery store eggs often use. These labels are meant to tempt you into believing you are buying healthy eggs.
- Cage Free -This means that the laying hens were not confined to a cage. However, this does not mean they have access to the outdoors. Cage-free does not require natural lighting or airflow.
- Free Range -It is true that they are not caged, however having access to the outdoors might not necessarily be the case. This is not a USDA regulated term and therefore can have different meanings depending on the brand.
- Pasture Raised-This is also a shady term, there is no industry- wide regulations on this label, which leaves no accountability in the use of it.
In all of these labels, there is no mention of the type of feed a hen is given. Hens could be given the “cheapest of the cheap” feed, rampant with GMO’s, antibiotics, and growth hormones. Is this feed going to affect your eggs? Absolutely!
This is why we only eat farm fresh eggs! Do not be fooled by the fancy labels on egg cartons. Remember, their goal is to make money and turn the biggest profit possible. Keep that in mind!
Farm Fresh Egg Labels
We have none! We don’t need labels, why? Because, all you have to do is come to our farm and you will see exactly how our chickens/ducks live…
- Our chickens and ducks roam free all day, foraging, with access to multiple water stations.
- They are given organic, non-GMO feed to supplement their diet.
- All birds are put in a chicken house at night, with food and water, to keep them protected.
- Check out this video to see exactly how we raise our ducks/chickens!
When chickens/ducks live this way, you can know without a doubt, their eggs are giving you all of those good vitamins and nutrients we talked about.
Okay, maybe you aren’t in a position to get some ducks or chickens but, almost everyone has access to a farmer’s market or has a friend who raises chickens and ducks. It is time to start thinking outside the grocery store and support local farms who care about the animals and the land!
So, let’s wrap this thing up…
- Eggs are a power food
- Don’t trust the labels
- Buy farm fresh eggs
- Thank me later!
~Amanda
Interested in learning more about eggs? Check out this post on How to Preserve Eggs, for tips on how eggs can be stored for up to a year!
