The 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans highlight eggs as a nutrient-dense food for pregnant and lactating women. With eight essential nutrients in one large egg, eggs are a perfect dietary choice for expectant mothers. Choline Intake During Pregnancy Choline is an essential nutrient for everyone’s health, but it’s especially critical during pregnancy and lactation to support infant and child brain development. Choline helps prevent birth defects and supports development of the brain and spinal cord. Research has demonstrated that higher maternal choline intake during pregnancy can impr ..read more

Hard-boiled eggs are an integral part of Easter celebrations! When purchasing, cooking, decorating and eating hard-boiled eggs, know the answers to frequently asked food safety questions to be sure everyone stays healthy and fully enjoys the holiday celebrations. Can you eat colored hard-boiled eggs? If the eggs were decorated with food-safe dyes and stored properly in the fridge, they are safe to eat within one week of being cooked. If eggs are left out of refrigeration for more than two hours, they should be thrown away to prevent foodborne illness. When is the best time to buy Easter egg ..read more

Practicing healthy habits—including eating a nutritious diet—can reduce the risk of heart disease-related issues. In fact, research shows that at least 75% of heart disease can be prevented through lifestyle changes! And, did you know that eggs can be included as part of a heart-healthy diet for healthy adults, according to the American Heart Association? Get four tips for developing and following a heart-healthy eating pattern. Rule #1: Integrate lean protein into meals. This includes plant proteins like tofu, beans, legumes, and nuts, plus animal proteins like seafood, lean meat, skinless po ..read more

Exercising more, eating healthier and losing weight are the top three New Year’s resolutions. Learn why eating eggs as part of a nutritious diet can help you to hit all these goals to feel your best in 2024! Eating high-quality protein foods for breakfast, like eggs, can help you feel more satisfied and energized throughout the day. Nicknamed nature’s perfect nutrition nugget, one large egg has six grams of high-quality protein and is only 70 calories! For individuals who are aiming to lose excess body weight or maintain a healthy weight, eating protein at breakfast can help satisfy the appet ..read more

Football season is here, and, whether you’re rooting for your favorite hometown college or national team, these recipes are sure to score with your tailgating crew! Tailgating TartTrue to its name, this tart is perfect for early-morning tailgates! Combining ham, mushrooms, sour cream, chives and more, this recipe will become your new favorite gameday breakfast. Big Game Deviled EggsEasily customizable to your team’s colors, these team-spirited Big Game Deviled Eggs will keep you full and energized for the whole game—and maybe into overtime. Cheesy Pizza DipEveryone loves pizza, and this Chees ..read more

Throughout the school year, there are many experiments students may do in science class involving eggs, like the classic egg drop challenge and dissolving eggshells with vinegar. But there’s also a good deal to be learned about the science behind eggs in their more traditional setting – the kitchen!   Why Are Eggs So Fluffy? Eggs can create a lot of hot air when they’re baking. When they release the steam they create during this process, your food becomes lighter and fluffier! The Mixing Master Ingredient Eggs have emulsifiers, which mean they hold things together, like glue! Bonding othe ..read more

Meal prepping can be a major time saver ahead of a busy day or week, so we’ve rounded up our favorite make-ahead recipes to give you some inspiration! With ideas for breakfast, lunch and dinner, a healthy meal will be ready when you are.   Mediterranean Chopped Salad Stored in a Mason jar, this salad is perfect for a healthy on-the-go lunch! Pro-tip: add the dressing immediately before enjoying so other ingredients stay fresh and crisp.   Ham & Egg Drop Soup Looking for a cozy dinner? Stop searching because this soup has it all! Combining sweet green peppers, chicken b ..read more

Warm weather is here, and that means enjoying all the summer festivities like picnics, cookouts and road trips! Egg salad, deviled eggs and similar dishes are perfect for these events, but there are important safety tips to keep in mind when taking eggs along for outdoor events and excursions.    Use a Clean, Well-Insulated Cooler and LOTS of Ice Packs Bacteria can quickly grow when foods like eggs are not stored at the proper temperature (45°F or colder). Make sure to pack your cooler with ice packs, frozen water bottles or other frozen foods, and keep it in an air-conditioned car ..read more

There are many reasons that eggs are considered part of a healthy diet, from their high-quality protein to the wide assortment of vitamins that eggs provide. In fact, the Dietary Guidelines for Americans now recommends introducing eggs to children as young as four months due to the nutrition babies need for brain development, among other health benefits.    Eggs are packed with choline, a nutrient that promotes brain health and helps regulate memory, mood, muscle control, and other important brain functions. Additionally, introducing eggs at a young age also helps reduce the risk of ..read more

The North Carolina Egg Association is excited to launch our Meet NC Egg Farmers campaign, which includes all new video content, farmer profiles, creative recipes, and content created in partnership with influencers and dieticians—all made possible by a grant from the North Carolina Tobacco Trust Fund Commission (NCTTFC).   In 2022, we received a grant from NCTTFC to produce videos designed to give North Carolinians an inside look into local egg farms. Because there aren’t many opportunities to visit these farms due to measures that keep egg-laying hens healthy, North Carolina’s egg farmer ..read more