Cholesterol Smart
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People often wonder if it’s OK to eat eggs because egg yolks are high in cholesterol. For most people*, eggs can be part of a healthy, balanced diet, as the cholesterol in eggs has little effect on blood cholesterol levels.
What matters most is limiting saturated fat, which raises blood cholesterol, and including more unsaturated fats, proven to help lower cholesterol.
Eggs can be enjoyed in moderation as part of a balanced and varied diet rich in heart-healthy foods.
*If you have familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH), it’s important to limit dietary cholesterol. For FH and any other genetic conditions that cause high cholesterol, it's important to discuss your specific dietary needs with your specialist health professional.
Why eggs are good for you
For most people, eating eggs won’t significantly impact blood cholesterol, and they can be a healthy addition to your diet.
Packed with goodness
- Low in fat: While egg yolks contain some fat, the white has very little. An average egg provides only a small amount of the cholesterol-raising saturated fat.
- Protein: Eggs are a great source of protein, which is found in the egg white.
- Vitamins: Eggs are a good source of vitamins many people struggle to get enough of, including vitamin D and B vitamins like riboflavin, B12, and folate.
- Minerals: Eggs provide important minerals, such as iron and calcium, which are essential for good health.
Versatile and quick
Eggs can be turned into quick, savoury meals or desserts. You can enjoy them as an omelette, scrambled, poached, or boiled, served with wholemeal toast and grilled mushrooms or tomatoes for a healthy start to your day.
Safe to eat
Thanks to improved farming methods and accreditation schemes, salmonella in British eggs has been largely eliminated, making them safe and healthy to consume. Always choose eggs with the British Lion Egg Standard logo to ensure quality, safety, and traceability.
Worried about allergies?
Egg allergies are very rare. About 2.5% of infants (less than three in every hundred) have an allergic reaction to eggs, with half outgrowing it by school age. Around 0.5% of adults are allergic (about one in every 200 people). If you’re still concerned, it’s best to discuss this with your GP.
