During the national lockdown, we’ve been doing our best to stay at home as much as possible and not shop unnecessarily. For many, this has meant stocking up on non-perishable items or foods that can be frozen. With its devastating effects on the South African economy, the COVID-19 pandemic has also affected our spending, as we cut back to try and stretch our salaries. However, there’s one food that you can happily buy on your next trip for essentials. Here are five reasons to keep eggs on your shopping list (and it has nothing to do with the Raw Egg Challenge).
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1. Their Shelf Life
According to Healthline, eggs can last for at least three to five weeks in the fridge if they’ve been handled and stored properly. Plus, a beaten egg can be frozen in an airtight container for up to a year. This makes eggs particularly useful in the lockdown kitchen.
2. Eggs Are Healthy
Another excellent reason to keep eggs on your shopping list is their nutritional value. Eggs are a source of high-quality protein and a good alternative to more expensive sources of protein. An average large egg of 55g contains vitamins A, B, B12, and biotin, and its a source of vitamin D, riboflavin, choline, selenium, iodine, lutein, and zeaxanthin. This gives eggs a big thumb-up as part of a healthy balanced diet.
Studies also show that, contrary to popular belief, eggs don’t increase your cholesterol. In fact, eggs improve your cholesterol profile by raising good cholesterol (HDL) and increasing the size of LDL particles. This lowers your risk of heart disease.
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3. Eggs Are Versatile
Eggs can be eaten in a number of different ways, making them one of the most versatile items in your pantry. Boiled eggs are ready in a jiffy and can be eaten on the run. Sure, you might only be running around your house at the moment, but for future reference, these little powerhouses are great for packed school and office lunches.
Breakfast egg muffins are a tasty new way to do morning eggs, while frittatas and omelettes are a nice way to use up some fridge leftovers. If a romantic lockdown dinner is on the cards, you could try your hand at a rich, creamy tart.
Some of our favourite egg recipes include:
Chorizo and Patatas Bravas with Eggs Recipe
Dukkah Eggs with Griddled Asparagus and Hummus Recipe
Lentil And Bean Soup With Poached Eggs Recipe
Sweet Potato And Spring Onion Frittata Recipe
4. They Are Affordable
Probably one of their greatest benefits is that eggs are a relatively cheap source of food. This means you won’t have to raid your nest egg in these tough times to buy a dozen or two.
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5. Eggs Fill You Up
One of our favourite reasons to keep buying eggs is, aside from being a healthy source of protein, eggs are potentially quite good for weight loss, too. Because they contain plenty of protein and fat, eggs score highly on the satiety index. So, if you have a breakfast that contains eggs, you may eat less overall during the course of the day, taking in fewer calories. This is great news during these times as we all seem to be spending far more time in front of the fridge than usual.
Compiled by Food and Decor Editor, Claire Badenhorst
