Not All Eggs Are Created Equal!!!

I learned some really important information about eggs from expert farmer Dan Gibson, owner of Grazin’ Angus Acres Farm, two weeks ago that I really, really wanted to share with you!

I have always loved The Country Hen eggs. I had been eating them for the last two years before I fortunately ran into Dan Gibson’s eggs. Now, I have been eating Dan’s eggs for the last year.

Here is the thing…I ran out of Dan’s eggs about two weeks ago and decided to pick up The Country Hen eggs again, thinking they would be an ok substitute until I went to the farmer’s market the following week.

I was definitely wrong!

I was so shocked at the difference between the two eggs that I literally could not even eat The Country Hen eggs anymore!

As you can see from the pictures, look at the difference in the color of the yolks. The yolks in Dan’s eggs (bottom) are a dark deep orange. His eggs are a dark deep orange because these chickens are grazing on grass all day long. The grass is filled with beta carotene. The beta carotene production in the grasses that the chickens eat is directly influenced by sunlight. The sunlight creates beta carotene in the grass. The chickens eat the grass and ingest the beta carotene. That is how you get the orange yolks.

Here is the kicker…

Not all eggs are the same because there are different types of Omega-3’s. There is a difference between plant based (chia seeds and flax seeds) and animal based Omega-3’s. It is important to have both in the diet but best to have animal based (EPA and DHA). Plant based Omega-3’s have to be converted in the body to be used. If you have high levels of insulin due to eating too many carbs for your unique body type, you won’t be able to convert these Omega-3’s into optimal tools for your body to use.

Danyelle, how do I know if my insulin is high?

Well, if you are overweight, cholesterol levels are high, have high blood pressure or struggle with diabetes…which is 85% of our population, then you most likely have high insulin levels.

Dr. Mercola argues that, “there are certain components in animal based omega 3’s that you don’t get in vegetarian alternatives.”

Animal based Omega-3’s are essential fatty acids that help with reducing inflammation, boosts brain function, boosts male fertility, prevents against neurological diseases, joint health, and PMS.

According to The Stockman Grass Farmer (3/10), short chain omega-3 fatty acids from plant oils (flax seed, olives, sunflowers and soybeans) are of questionable value. However, long chain omega-3’s from fish oil, grass-fed meats, and raw milk reduce the inflammation associated with disease including strokes and arthritis.

So what does this all mean to me, Danyelle?

You want to know what type of Omega-3’s are in your food. Even if the label on your organic eggs says these eggs have “higher levels of Omega-3’s,” you will want to know if the chickens have been eating grass or flax seed all day. Have the chickens been inside “sunlit” barns all day or out on grassy pastures? These factors will influence the type of Omega-3’s that you will get in your eggs, which directly influences your health benefits.

How do I know what the chickens are eating?

For the freshest eggs (2 days old) get your eggs at your local farmer’s market. At the farmer’s market you can ask what the chickens eat, and if they are “pasture raised” (eating grass and bugs in the spring and summer time).

If you buy them in the store, you won’t really know what the chickens are eating because you can’t speak directly to the farmer.

Look for pasture-raised chickens that graze on grass during the summer and spring .

I have attached the pictures so that you can see the difference between what eggs should really look like (pasture-raised chickens eating grasses and bugs vs. store bought eggs raised on flax seeds in “sunlit” barns).

Let’s stay healthy together!

Oh…If you are in the NYC Area and you want to learn who my favorite farmers are and the best quality food you can find, then you can check out my Farmers Market Tour (Plus, receive the Farmer’s Market Cheat Sheet on the tour!).

If you are really curious and want to learn more about healthy eggs… Click Here