Eating Eggs Boosts A Healthy Weight Loss Plan

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Eating Eggs Boosts A Healthy Weight Loss Plan

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/117366.php

A study published online in the International Journal of Obesity

shows that eating two eggs for breakfast, as part of a reduced-

calorie diet, helps overweight adults lose more weight and feel more

energetic than those who eat a bagel breakfast of equal calories. [1]

This study supports previous research, published in the Journal of

the American College of Nutrition, which showed that people who ate

eggs for breakfast felt more satisfied and ate fewer calories at the

following meal. [2]

" People have a hard time adhering to diets and our research shows

that choosing eggs for breakfast can dramatically improve the success

of a weight loss plan, " said Nikhil V. Dhurandhar, Ph.D., lead

researcher and associate professor in the laboratory of infection and

obesity at Pennington Biomedical Research Center, a campus of the

Louisiana State University system. " Apparently, the increased satiety

and energy due to eggs helps people better comply with a reduced-

calorie diet. "

Significant Weight Loss Related to Egg Breakfast

Compared to the subjects who ate a bagel breakfast, men and women who

consumed two eggs for breakfast as part of a reduced-calorie diet:

- lost 65 percent more weight

- exhibited a 61 percent greater reduction in BMI

- reported higher energy levels than their dieting counterparts who

consumed a bagel breakfast [1]

The egg and bagel breakfasts provided the same number of calories and

had identical weights (energy density), which is an important control

factor in satiety and weight loss studies.

The researchers also found that blood lipids were not impacted during

the two month study. They found that blood levels of HDL and LDL

cholesterol, as well as triglycerides, did not vary compared to

baseline cholesterol blood levels in subjects who ate either the

bagel or egg breakfasts. These findings add to more than 30 years of

research that conclude that healthy adults can enjoy eggs without

significantly impacting their risk of heart disease.

New Emphasis on the Importance of High-Quality Protein

This study adds to the growing body of research which supports the

importance of high-quality protein in the diet. The American Journal

of Clinical Nutrition (AJCN) published a special issue in May 2008,

which contains nine articles that focus on the value of high-quality

protein in the American diet. A major finding was that not getting

enough high-quality protein may contribute to obesity, muscle wasting

(loss) and increased risk of chronic disease. [3,4]

Jump Start the Morning with Eggs

Jackie Newgent, registered dietitian and chef, stresses the

importance of obtaining adequate high-quality protein when advising

consumers about weight loss. " Eggs are a good source of all-natural,

high-quality protein, so they can help keep you satisfied longer,

making it easier to resist tempting snacks, " said Newgent. " Nearly

half of an egg's protein, and many of the other nutrients, are found

in the yolk, so make sure to eat the whole egg for maximum benefits. "

Newgent suggests these nutrition tips for a successful weight loss

plan:

- Manic Monday: Make a batch of hard-cooked eggs on Sunday, so you'll

have all-natural, high-quality protein meals for your on-the-go

schedule during the week. Plus, eggs are incredibly affordable. At an

average of $1.93 per dozen (or $0.16 per egg), [5] eggs are one of

the most affordable high-quality protein foods in the marketplace.

- In-a-Minute Morning Meal: In less than 60 seconds, you can prepare

an egg breakfast to help jump start your day. Simply beat one whole

egg in a microwave-safe mug then cook in the microwave oven on high

for 60 seconds. Slide the egg onto a whole grain English muffin. Add

flavor with a sprinkling of fresh herbs, salsa, or cheese. Serve

fresh seasonal fruit slices, like peaches in the summer, on the side

for a balanced meal.

For More Information:

- To receive an educational brochure on high-quality protein and for

more information on the benefits of eggs, visit the Egg Nutrition

Center at http://www.enc-online.org

- Join the discussion on eggs and nutrition science on Dr. J.

McNamara's blog, http://www.UnscramblingTheScience.com

- For more protein-rich egg recipes and preparation tips, visit the

American Egg Board at http://www.incredibleegg.org