What do cage-free, pasture-raised, free-range eggs mean?

When I go to the grocery store, I see people staring at the egg cartons as if they were a piece of art. All of them trying to figure out which one is the best option.

Cage-free, pastured-raised, free-range, organic, certified organic…Geez…when did eggs get so complicated?

Eggs are kind of the perfect food because they have fats and proteins all in one.

But did you know that the eating whites alone can cause digestive issues?

Here’s why: Egg whites are the protein part of the egg, and the yolk is the fat part that contains enzymes. You need enzymes in order to breakdown protein. If you eat whites alone, your stomach won’t have the necessary agents to breakdown the protein found in eggs whites.

A lot of people avoid yolks because they’re packed with fats that supposedly raise cholesterol. But, did you know good quality eggs contain a substance called Lecithin which can actually help reduce cholesterol?

Not all eggs are made equal and not all of them provide health benefits.

Eggs that come from hens that are fed soy, deprived of sun and green pastures tend to have higher amounts of omega 6, which causes inflammation and therefore increases cholesterol levels in the body.

Eggs that come from hens that are allowed to roam around and eat grass and worms, tend to have higher amounts of omega 3, which is essential to reduce inflammation in the body.

So as you can see, the quality of your eggs really matters!

Eggs offer high-quality protein that is filling and is not stored as body fat. There is a bewildering number of different egg choices: cage-free, range-free, organic, pasture-raised…So, which one is the best option?

Let’s take a look:

Cage Free:

Most hens in the United States are confined to battery cages – small wire cages connected to other wire cages in long rows. Cage-free hens, by contrast, are able to walk freely inside the building in which they’re housed and lay their eggs in nests. That doesn’t mean they get fresh air and sunshine.

Cage-free hens often live in crowded areas with thousands of hens that never go outside.

Free- Range:

Means cage-free plus “access to outdoors.” This doesn’t mean chickens have access to green fields and sunshine. This “access” typically means a few small doors that lead to a screened-in porch with cement, dirt or a very small space with grass.

Certified Organic:

Know that, except for “certified organic,” the government doesn’t endorse any claims on egg cartons. Certified organic eggs come from hens that are fed organic and vegetarian feed, free of pesticides and antibiotics. By law, these hens also have access to the outdoors and are not confined to cages.

Pasture-raised:

This type of eggs come from hens that are fully raised outdoors and are fed wild plants and insects. They are nutritional superior because they have 3 times the amount of Vitamin E and Omega 3s, more than double the amount of Vitamin A and 8 times the amount of Beta-Carotene (precursor of Vitamin A) than conventional eggs.

Organic, pasture-raised eggs are available at most health food stores and regular grocery stores. Their yolks are dark yellow, almost orange, indicating that they are much higher in nutrients than factory farmed eggs.

Bottom line, if you want to get the most out this superfoods, then you betta start investing in good quality eggs.

If you want to learn more about the connection between eggs and cholesterol, I highly encourage you to watch this informational and a bit funny video. 😉 Click here to watch