Eggs provide a wide range of health benefits
This Easter if you want to beat the sugar rush, stay trim and encourage clearer skin, Liz Earle says eggs are the answer – but not the chocolate kind…
As co-founder of the award-winning Liz Earle Beauty Co and owner of a thriving organic farm in the West County, which she runs with her husband Patrick whilst bringing up a family of five children, here Liz shares her insights, top beauty tips and recipes for getting the best out of eggs.
Liz Earle's Egg Insights:
Eggs are the perfect food, packed with high quality protein, vitamins A, D, E and highly-absorbable forms of the stress-busting B-complex vitamins, as well as minerals iron, phosphorus and skin-building zinc. They’re also a dieter’s delight as studies show eating an egg for breakfast makes you feel fuller for longer, so you eat less later on.
As well as being good for us, reducing stress levels and filling us up, eggs are also low in calories. A medium sized egg contains around 80 kcals and is relatively low in saturated fat. That old myth about eggs raising cholesterol levels is debunked now, with even the Department of Health saying we can eat as many eggs as we like – within reason.
The very best eggs are always organic for two good reasons: firstly, hens are kept with much better welfare so you are supporting greater care for animals and secondly, hens are fed higher quality, non-GM feed, which in turn leads to tastier, nutrient-rich eggs. For me, organic eggs, along with organic milk, are two daily staples that I don't skimp on for taste and wellbeing. Organic eggs are especially rich in trace elements too, such as iodine (required for thyroid hormones), selenium (an important antioxidant) and choline (linked to improved brain function).
The eggs from my farm come from Marans hens which lay stunning, speckled brown eggs, some of the darkest of any breed. Interestingly, these were also James Bond's egg of choice! Ian Fleming writes of 007 favouring a perfectly cooked boiled Marans hen’s eggs for Bond’s breakfast. Look out for these glossy brown beauties in local deli’s and farmers’ markets around the UK.
Liz Earle's Egg Based Beauty Tips:
Eggs are not just for Easter, they’re the perfect mix of proteins for the skin to keep collagen and elastin fibres supple. Of note, egg-white only omelettes are no good for the skin as they’re missing the yolks that contain lecithin, a true skin superfood. Lecithin repairs skin tissues, helps keep cell membrane strong and slows the ageing process. Eating a whole egg a day is therefore a brilliant way to help keep skin looking young – just make sure it’s an organic one.
Eggs also work on the outside as natural beautifiers and can give hair an extra conditioning boost. For dry, colour-treated or normal hair, use the entire egg to add moisture and shine. Oily hair types can just use egg whites as these contain enzymes to help remove excess oils. In either case, apply the fresh raw egg mixture to dry hair, leave on for 15 minutes before shampooing and conditioning as usual. Be sure to use lukewarm (not hot) water or you’ll end up with scrambled egg in your hair.
Tagged in Beauty Tips Healthy Diet Plan Healthy Food