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Food trends come and go, but eggs still reign supreme as a breakfast staple. Packed with protein, these versatile and accessible foods are full of important nutrients, including protein, iodine, vitamin B12, and choline, a nutrient that may help boost memory.
In recent years, consumers have become more aware of the ethics behind their food choices, and eggs are no exception. Grocery store shelves are flooded with options like pasture-raised, free-range and organic, but what does it all mean? Grass-fed eggs tend to be more expensive, for one, but that’s because these hens require more land – that is, they’re raised both indoors and outdoors on open pasture. Cage-free is similar, as these animals have larger enclosures (and therefore the farmer has fewer hens), and USDA-certified organic means no pesticides, hormones or antibiotics are included in the feed of the hen.
Remember, most of the nutrients found in an egg reside in the yolk, so no matter the source of the egg you’re eating, you’re getting a good nutritional boost. And since the American Heart Association suggests that one egg (or two egg whites) is A-okay for healthy people who eat them as part of a healthy diet, it’s nice to know that an egg included in your balanced diet is not only a delicious practice, but it is unlikely to harm the health of your heart as well. (Note: the American Heart Association recommends that, in general, older adults with healthy cholesterol can have two eggs each day).
While most eggs will provide you with important nutrients, some types offer more features—like organic or pastured—that some people prefer. If you’re in the market for eggs that offer those extra bells and whistles, here are eight to consider.
The 8 Eggs of the Highest Quality
What used to be a simple task of catching a dozen eggs when grocery shopping can become a job that leaves people scratching their heads. With so many options out there, here are some egg brands that are high quality and absolutely delicious!
Eggland’s Favorite: Classic Big White Eggs
Per egg: 60 calories, 4 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
Eggland’s Best Eggs are unique because they contain 25% less saturated fat, six times more vitamin D, and 10 times more vitamin E than regular eggs. In addition, they contain more than twice the amount of omega-3 fatty acids compared to regular eggs. They also stay fresher longer than regular eggs, which can help reduce food waste.
Happy Egg Co.: A Free Range Legacy
Per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 5 g protein
With deep amber yolks, Happy Egg Co.’s Heritage Free Range Eggs are not short of a bonnet. There’s a reason Michelin star chefs love eggs laid by Hölzl Blue and Hölzl Brown hens – the flavor is full and rich, and the egg whites are far from watery. These free-range eggs are beautiful too, coming in brown and blue varieties inside a biodegradable Happy Egg carton.
For a big nutritional boost, Happy Egg Co. a Vitamin Plus carton is also available, which is filled with 12 eggs from free-range hens that are fed a vitamin and nutrient enriched feed. As a result of this feeding eggs have 10 times the amount of vitamin D and twice the amount of vitamins B7 and B9 compared to standard eggs.
Feed Farms: Pasture Raised-Eggs
Per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
Vital Farms’ logo is, well, pretty simple: “Keeping bullsh*t-free.” Vital Farms guarantees that their hens are treated ethically and given plenty of room to roam – better tasting eggs without abuse. Life Farms Grass Raised Eggs come in regular and extra large (as well as organic) varieties and have delicious golden yolks with six grams of protein per egg to keep you full and energized.
Alexandre Family Farm: Great Pasture Raised Eggs
Per egg: 91 calories, 5.85 g fat (1.95 g saturated fat), 87.75 mg sodium, 0.65 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 8.45 g protein
With a whopping 8.45 grams of protein per egg, Alexandre Family Farms eggs really up the ante. Alexandre Family Farm, known for its regenerative dairy farming practices, uses a mobile coop to raise healthy, ethical hens. All eggs are nested and collected by hand, which enhances farmer-animal relations and reduces stress levels in the hens. And at the end of the day, these eggs are just plain delicious.
Utopihen Farms: Large Organic Brown Eggs
Per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
Utopia for the hens? Please! These USDA certified organic eggs are raised on a diet that is organic, non-GMO, and pesticide free, and since all of the affiliated farms are also USDA certified organic, there are no added antibiotics or hormones. According to the Utopihen website, these pasture-raised eggs have 25% less saturated fat, twice as much omega-3 fatty acids, three times more vitamin D, and seven times more beta-carotene than farm-raised eggs traditionally.
Organic Valley: Pasture Raised Big Eggs
Per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
Organic Valley is known not only for its delicious dairy products but also for the company’s USDA-certified organic eggs. These hens produce delicious eggs because of their varied diet, as they are allowed to scavenge and feed on grit and grit instead of living their lives without ever touching the soil. The Valley’s Organic Grass-Raised Large Eggs provide 6% of your daily vitamin D as well as essential potassium and iron to help fill any nutritional gaps.
Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs
Per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
These USDA Certified Organic eggs are laid by Humane Certified Free Range hens that forage and socialize outside. These eggs are produced by small family farms that never use synthetic pesticides.
Hen House Egg Farmers: Pasture Raised Eggs
Per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbs (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
These delicious brown eggs have beautiful golden yolks. With a minimum of 108 square feet of range area per hen, you only eat nutritionally dense eggs from hens that are nutritionally content and have foraged extensively to supplement their diets. Plus, Chicken Farmers process their eggs with 100% solar energy, so it’s a win for you and the environment!
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