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Eggs
What is bodybuilding's most versatile food?
You might be surprised at what a potent and important tool for growth this particular food can be.
Don't just take our word for it:
- Rocky downed pitchers of them like a contestant on Fear Factor.
- Three-time Arnold Classic champion Jay Cutler has been known to devour up to two dozen a day.
- And for many of us, they're the only thing that goes with turkey sausage on a Sunday morning.
Of course we're talking about EGGS, a staple of every bodybuilder's (and wannabe bodybuilder's) diet.
Face it: whether it's for gaining mass or cutting up, every meal plan for every programme includes eggs.
Whether you're trying to add mass or get lean, eggs are a nearly perfect food. A large egg contains:
- 75 calories
- 4 grams of fat
- 6 grams of protein.
Lose the yolks and you've got:
- 17 calories
- zero grams of fat
- 4 grams of protein.
Eggs also contain more than 15 amino acids, including arginine and leucine, and omega-S fatty acids.
Despite nutritional concerns that came to a head in the 1990s, it turns out even you cholesterol-watchers don't have to subsist on egg whites alone. Studies show that a healthy man can eat up to two yolks a day without affecting his blood cholesterol level. And since the yolk contains valuable nutrients such as vitamins A, D, E and 812 that aren't found in egg whites, they won't just make for a tastier omelette but a healthier one as well.
It goes without saying, then, that eggs are nutritious, but do you know why they're so damn good for you? And sure, you tolerate them microwaved for a quick high-protein fix, but wouldn't your morning meal be a lot more pleasant if you could make eggs taste good? (Hint: whites shouldn't have the consistency of rubber).
We think so.
Over the following pages we have prepared stacks of info about eggs, what's so good about them and how to cook and use them.
Top tip: Egg yolks are one of the few foods that naturally contain Vitamin D!
Cooking With Eggs
Get Cookin' with Power Packed EGGS!
While eggs can be added to almost any recipe to increase protein levels, they can also be a complete meal in their own right. With the addition of simple tasty ingredients there is no end to tasty menu variety eggs can provide.
Here are some quick, basic techniques for getting eggs into your regime ASAP.
Facts about Eggs
We've all wondered how flexible an egg's expiry date is. Expand your knowledge with answers to that and six other common questions about eggs.Q. Does size matter?The size of an egg doesn't affect its taste, but it does affect its nutrients - a larger egg has more protein and calories.Q. What's the difference between brown and white eggs?The colour of an eggshell is determined by the breed of the hen that laid the egg. White hens lay white eggs, while their red-feathered relatives lay brown ones.
Q. What does it mean when an egg yolk has a blood spot?Blood spots on egg yolks are caused by a blood vessel rupturing on the yolk while the egg was being formed. These spots are rare - electronic sensors usually detect them - and perfectly safe to ingest.
Q. Can you eat eggs after their "sell-by" date?If stored properly in the fridge, eggs should still taste fine and be safe to eat up to two weeks after their "sell-by" date.
