Ask Marilyn: How many eggs should I eat?
Q: I hear conflicting reports about how many eggs we should eat. What’s the truth?
A: In the past, health experts thought that egg’s high cholesterol content might endanger heart health. But in recent years several studies have shown that egg consumption does not necessarily raise blood cholesterol or increase risk of heart disease.
Current heart-related nutrition recommendations still encourage limiting eggs to no more than four or five a week, especially the yolk, which raises health concerns. But it is clearly much more important to limit foods high in saturated fats (fatty meats and dairy products) and trans fatty acids (margarine and commercial baked goods, cakes, biscuits and deep-fried foods).
When it comes to cancer risk, a landmark report from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) notes that a high intake of eggs or cholesterol could possibly the increase risk of some forms of cancer, but many other aspects of what we eat have a much greater influence on cancer risk. Set your priorities on an unsaturated fat, whole grain and plant-based diet. Eggs are an inexpensive source of protein and other nutrients, and they don’t send your blood cholesterol soaring, if you enjoy them in moderation.