Little Step No. 76
What to do:
Know your eggs.
Why this step works:
Anyone who knows me well knows I LOVE eggs; they’re super nutritious and super convenient – what’s not to love?! And if you want to read more about why eggs are such a great addition to your diet, and try out my favourite egg recipe for your lunchbox, check out Little Steps no 36 and no 63.
This week, I want to help you make sense of egg box labels, because they are confusing! And this makes it a challenge, when stood in the supermarket staring aimlessly at all the different types, to decide what on earth to buy!
First up, you need to know that terms like ‘natural’, ‘happy hens’, ‘farm fresh’ and ‘golden yolk’ really don't mean anything on a label. Instead you need to look out for the official egg classifications listed below because they do convey meaningful information. Here’s what those egg box labels really mean.
A couple of extra points to consider:
The table above refers to the minimum standards required to fulfil the classification; of course there may be suppliers who go above and beyond these standards, so it's worth asking the questions, especially if you're buying from smaller, local suppliers.
Organic eggs from pasture fed chickens are also much more likely to be a good source of omega 3 fats which are often lacking in a typical Western diet.
My aim here is to empower you with accurate information so you can make buying choices based on facts rather than confusing marketing hype. Clearly, organic eggs come out on top, but they also cost more, which highlights some uncomfortable truths around the cost of living, food affordability and poverty. All complex issues which are crucially important to acknowledge but that I don't pretend to have the answers for.
What I do know though is this. We all have tremendous power to consciously shape our own health and our future world, and I believe every positive step we take, no matter how small, really counts.
"Small acts when multiplied by millions of people, can transform the world."
Howard Zinn
Useful Resources & Acknowledgements:
Ethical Consumer Guide to Eggs
British Hen Welfare Trust Guide to Egg Production
And not forgetting the gorgeous egg cosy in the picture above, handmade by Beryl, thank you :)