Protein In Eggs: How Many Can You Eat In A Day?
Siri Hegde
Eggs are packed with proteins. These proteins are not easily available to the body when the eggs are raw. But, the body can easily digest these proteins when they are cooked.
Our reviews are research-based, and all trials and testings are conducted in-house over days and weeks. We have a strict no-free-sample policy to ensure our reviews are fair and impartial.
Eggs have always been deemed as the best source of protein. Protein is one very essential nutrient that your body just can’t function without. Protein is constantly working to help your cells and tissues build or repair themselves. Protein is also necessary for proper hormone production, enzyme production and it is the building component of bones, muscles, and blood.
Eggs are the richest source of proteins. On average, an egg can provide about 6-7 grams of protein. For an individual who practices a sedentary lifestyle, the daily protein requirement for a male would be about 56 grams and for a female would be about 46 grams. This would equate to consuming around 6-9 eggs per day.
Table of Contents
How Much Protein Does an Egg Contain?
The amount of protein present in an egg depends on the size of the egg too. Smaller eggs tend to contain lower amounts of proteins and larger eggs contain more proteins. In a nutshell, the amount of protein in an egg can vary depending on the size of the egg, anywhere between 5-8 grams.
It is a well-known fact that egg whites contain mostly proteins. This has lead to the misconception that only egg whites contain proteins and not the yolk. However, along with other necessary nutrients, yolks contain about 50% of the protein in an egg. If only the egg white is consumed, then you only get half of the proteins in the egg. The best part about including eggs into your diet is that you don’t have to stick to just one or two ways of cooking them and explore and experiment with many ways of cooking eggs.
Will Eating Raw Eggs Give More Proteins?
Another popular misconception is that eating raw eggs gives more proteins than when the eggs are cooked. In reality, eggs are packed with high-quality proteins but the amount of proteins available for the body to use depends on the way the egg is cooked.
Also Read: Protein Rich Food For An Indian-Vegetarian Diet: 10 Food Items Rich In Protein +Recipes
It is difficult for the body to absorb proteins in uncooked eggs. Only about 50% of the proteins in eggs (raw) can be absorbed by the body. Additionally, raw eggs or bad eggs can be carriers of unwanted bacteria such as Salmonella and E.coli which can drastically affect your health.
The body can absorb up to 90% of the proteins in an egg that is cooked. This further proves that cooking the eggs makes the proteins in eggs more accessible and digestible in the body. To get the most out of your egg, cooking it well is absolutely necessary. It is not only a healthier option, but it is also a safer option since cooking will help get rid of unwanted bacteria.
How many eggs can you eat in a day?
Now that you know eggs are packed with proteins, you would think eating more eggs in a day is a good idea. It is important to note that eggs also contain high-density lipoproteins a.k.a, the good cholesterol. Numerous studies have shown that regular consumption of eggs has positive effects on the body, mainly on heart health.
However, all of these studies have kept egg consumption limits to three per day. There has been little research to check the effect of eating more than three eggs per day. This leads us to believe that eating up to three eggs a day is safe. Any more than that is not advisable since there are no credible results to predict the outcome.
Ways to Cook Eggs
Now that we’ve established that eating cooked eggs is better for protein absorption, here are a few ways you can cook your eggs to get the protein in eggs-
Scrambled Eggs
This is the perfect way to cook eggs for when you are in a hurry. Perfectly cooked eggs can be made in minutes and you’re good to go for the rest of the morning.
Calories in Scrambled Eggs= 91
Omelet
Omelettes are the best alternatives to scrambled eggs, especially if you want something more filling. You can even enrich your omelette with vegetables like onions, tomatoes, spinach, and mushrooms to make it more healthy and appetizing.
Calories in Omelette= 108
Boiled Eggs
Boiled eggs are simple. All you need to do is place the eggs in boiling water for a few minutes. If you have an electric egg boiler, then your work gets even easier.
Number of calories in a boiled egg= 78
Deviled Eggs
Deviled eggs are a fun take on the regular boiled eggs. Boiled egg yolk is mashed and flavored with herbs and spices and then refilled in the egg whites. These are usually served as appetizers in parties and is one of the tastiest ways to get to the proteins in eggs.
Calories in Deviled Eggs= 98
Poached Eggs
Poaching eggs is yet another classic way of cooking eggs. However, in poached eggs the yolks tend to be uncooked or raw, making protein absorption from the eggs more difficult.
Calories in Poached Eggs= 72
Eggs are a very good source of nutrients. They are full of good cholesterol and also seem to aid weight loss. They are easily available and take very work to prepare and consume. They are one of nature’s best sources of protein and to take complete advantage of this source. Protein in eggs is more accessible and easier to be absorbed into the body if it is cooked well.
FAQS
What is the best way to store eggs?
In order to keep the eggs their freshest and last longer, they should be stored in the main body of the refrigerator, in their original carton. The carton's sponginess insulates the egg from jolts which can cause cracks. The carton also helps to prevent the loss of moisture and carbon dioxide to maintain quality, maintain the proper egg temperature, and keep the egg from absorbing undesirable refrigerator odors and food flavors.
What is the difference between brown and white eggs? Are brown eggs more nutritious than white ones?
Hens with white feathers and white ear lobes lay white eggs, hens with red feathers and red ear lobes lay brown eggs. The color of the egg shell or yolk has nothing to do with the egg’s nutritional value, quality or flavor.
How can I tell if my eggs are fresh?
Besides the Best Before date mentioned on the carton, if you drop an egg into water, a fresh egg will sink, while an older egg will float. As an egg ages, the air cell inside increases, which causes it to float.
Why do some eggs have dark yolks and other have pale yolks?
Yolk color is entirely dependent on the type of feed the hens eat. Wheat-based feed tends to produce lighter yolks, while corn-based feed tends to produce darker yolks. The yolk color does not affect the flavor, quality, or nutritional value of the eggs.
Why is there a red spot in my egg yolk?
This is most likely to be what is called a ‘blood spot’, which comes from a ruptured blood vessel. It is relatively common and once cooked, quite safe to eat, but you can scrape the spot off and discard it if you prefer.
