Eggs and Fibro/CFS

[TrudieC]

I just saw this on About.com.  Something to think about!

Years ago, a lot of people cut down on eggs or eliminated them from their diet completely over cholesterol concerns. Now, however, most health experts agree that eating one egg a day won't hurt your cholesterol.

Eggs have a lot of nutrients that are good for everyone, as well as several that are frequently recommended for those of us with fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome. Those include:

•Vitamin D
•Vitamin B12
•Protein
•Choline
Low vitamin D levels can cause muscle pain and weakness. Studies show that about a quarter of us with these conditions are deficient, and that getting more vitamin D can lower pain levels in some of us. The body needs vitamin D for calcium absorption, bone growth and strength.

Vitamin B12 is involved in energy production, and we have some limited evidence that low B12 levels may be involved in fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome.

Protein is essential for cellular health.

Choline is important for mitochondrial health and brain function.  Some limited studies show it may be an effective treatment for these illnesses.

Eggs can be especially filling.  Some nutritionists say that eating an egg for breakfast may help you eat less throughout the day, which can help you lose weight.

I forget to do this very often, but one way I've gotten more eggs in my diet is to keep boiled eggs on hand.  When I'm not up to cooking, they're a quick, easy way to get something filling and nutritious.  Before my kids decided they liked eggs, we'd find ways to disguise them.  My husband puts them in his amazing fried rice, and he also adds them to pancake batter.

How do you like your eggs?  Do you think they're beneficial to you?  Do you still avoid eggs because of cholesterol concerns?  Leave your comments below!

[geminigirl1963]

I wanted to share an egg recipe that I enjoy and is quite easy to make - even good for crowds -- freezer bag omelets.

spray the inside of a QUART size FREEZER bag with cooking spray
scramble up two eggs (no more than two) and pour into bag
Add whatever else you like in an omelet - cheese, veggies, ham, etc - just watch amounts so you don't "overcrowd" the eggs

Seal up bag, getting as much air out as possible, squish or shake the bag to combine ingredients and place in a pan of boiling water - boil for 13 - 15 minutes.

Remove bag from water, open and your "omelet" rolls right out - perfect every time!!

I really like this way of doing omelets for a few reasons:

a) you don't need a special omelet pan

b) you can do several omelets at once (although if you really have a lot of them in the pan, you may hae to adjust the boiling time a little bit)

c) everyone can have their own omelete exactly how they want it - works great with my boyfriend - he LOVES VERY hot food and loves habanero peppers in his omelets, which I definitely cannot handle, so this way he can have his "explosive" omelet, while I have a very mild one with ham and veggies!

d) EASY CLEAN UP!!!  Just throw away the bags!!

e) They always come out looking like a professional chef made them!

And by the way - I totally agree with mnkyluvr and acker - you absolutely GOTTA have that salt and pepper shaker around when you're ready to eat a hard boiled egg!!  

I have tried freezing hard boiled eggs in the past and it definitely was not a good idea - the whites got very crystalized and rubbery.  That was the worst part, but the yolk also didn't do too well - also a bit crystalized (but not as bad as the white) - it COULD be used, but wouldn't taste exactly the same as un-frozen.  Keep in mind, though, that boiled eggs keep quite nicely in the fridge for quite a long time (try to not store them on the door though as that will make them not last as long becuase of the temp changes when the door gets opened) - I usually store them in the egg crate that the unboiiled eggs came out of and I mark it with a HB in marker so I know which egg container has the hardboiled ones and which are the raw eggs.  Even after the marked "expiration" date, eggs still do quite well for another couple of weeks.  Of course, if you start smelling that horribly offensive rotten egg odor - or you go to use one (other than just hard boiling it) and it is extra gloppy and has an odor or strange color to it - definitely discard - but they really do last much longer than what the carton says, boiled or not.

Enjoy those eggs!  and remember - eggs aren't just for breakfast anymore!! :)

[acker]

ditto; freezing doesn't work that well - but i would
boil 6 or 7 at a time, and they will keep in the fridge 5 or 6 days. yes perfect rep/ traveler food!! with salt and pepper! and butter if it's still hot yesss :9 and omelet, with corn kernels or onion, travels ok in a sheet of foil
(totally need the thumbs-up option)

[mnkyluvr68]

You can freeze a hard boiled egg, however the egg whites will become rubbery and not give you the same texture. The yolk will freeze just fine. The other option is to cook your eggs and they will keep for a week in a covered container for approx 1 week, with or without the shell.

I boil a dozen every Sunday for my snacks at work and it works great :-) now if only I could avoid the half bottle of salt that I like to douse them in LOL.

[vintagechicken]

I love eggs, as well and keep them on hand - always for a quick snack!

I find it hard to believe that they are very bad for your health...my grandfather lived a very healthy life up until the age of 95 and he was a firm believer in eating a full breakfast each and every day of his life - which included an egg or two... with a side of bacon/sausage and bread.

I've never tried to freeze a boiled egg ??? But that would be great, it it worked???

Thanks for starting this post!

[dustybrown]

You know I wish we could give each other thumbs up on posts. Wouldn't that be nice. :) This is a great topic Trudie.

I like eggs too, but I am always in a hurry in the morning to get off to work. I used to avoid them only because when I was on Weight Watchers they were 2 points a piece, so I ate egg beaters instead because they were 1 point instead. A great idea would be to make some hard boiled eggs in advance and take them along in a cooler in the car (I am a sales rep on the road 8 hours a day). Does anyone know if you can freeze a hard boiled egg? That would be nice because then I could make a bunch on Sunday, freeze a few and take some along for finger food. I am always looking for something nutritious to eat during my workday.

So if anyone knows about freezing a hard boiled egg let me know. :) Thanks.

-Dusty

[lvfrogs]

I have always eaten eggs. Hubby thinks it is bad for cholesterol but we only eat them a few times a week at best. I think they are better for you than they are bad for you. Maybe not everyday, but a few times a week, yes!

[acker]

agreed! i have at least an egg a day, for brekky, i usually fry 3 at a time. nutritious and filling and so good for energy iby the time the middle of the da. comes round. what i wanted to share is the importance of hormone-free and antibiotic-free eggs - i was on high protein diet when i first got sick - heaps eggs chicken and red meat - i wasn't eating organic at the time and i feel the hormones in the meats may have contributed to
my thyroid conditon later. whether or not, i know the chemicals can't be doing us any good. just free range organic eggs please. (you can see and taste the difference!)  

[geminigirl1963]

I love eggs!  I also like to keep hard boiled eggs on hand in the fridge for a quick snack or lunch - or even dinner.  Another way I really enjoy eggs is to add a chopped up hard boiled egg to my tuna, either in a sandwich or stuffed into a nice, ripe tomato - very refreshing, light meal during the hot summer!

I like eggs in pretty much any fashion - hard or soft boiled, poached, fried, omelets, scrambled - well, you get the picture!  LOL  Eggs in any fashion not only make a delicious, high protein breakfast, but also a quick, easy and inexpensive dinner - when I was growing up we quite often would have "breakfast" for dinner.  

While they are high in cholesterol, I think so long as you're not sitting down to a six egg omelet every day, eggs are a very beneficial part of your diet.