Egg..cellent Guide to Eggs

It's no surprise that eggs are very good for you brimming with vitamins, omega-3's, iodine, calcium, carotenoids and so much more!

But how do you choose the healthiest eggs?  The call-outs on packaging are confusing and need some deciphering.  Here are what all

those terms on egg cartons really mean:

Pasture-raised:  Implies the chickens were allowed some time roaming free in pastures.  However, this term is not regulated.

Cage-free:  Means chickens are not kept in cages and in most cases do not have any access to outdoors.  Basically, they are imprisoned

indoors in a warehouse type setting or barn.

Free-range:  Again, this term has no standards or guidelines.  These hens are very similar to Cage-free but do receive some time

outdoors every day, but since unregulated this could mean just a few minutes a day.

No Hormones:  The USDA has never approved hormone products so this is a meaningless call-out.

Omega-3:  These hens have been pastured or had their diet supplemented with source of omega-3's.

Natural or Naturally Raised:  Just a marketing statement.

100% Vegetarian-fed:  Chickens are not naturally 100% Vegetarian and if they are their eggs will be void of nutrients.  Chickens love

bugs and a natural diet makes for healthy chickens and nutritious eggs.  You do not want eggs from chickens that have only been

exclusively fed a strict vegetarian diet.

USDA Certified Organic:  To meet these USDA standards these chickens must be fed an organic, non-GMO feed that is also free

of pesticides and antibiotics.  The hens must be kept uncaged and must have outdoor access to grass.

The very best healthy choice?  It's the pasture-raised, organic eggs!  Here a few good choices:

The Country Egg

Organic Valley Organic Eggs

Eggland's Best Organic