If you can't imagine abiding by the laws of veganism, a diet that excludes some of brunch's best offerings, you might be pleased to know about a new food fad that permits breakfast lovers to have their omelets and eat them, too.
Many not-quite-vegans are including eggs in their otherwise animal product-free regimens, and these so-called "veggans" (clever, right?) are using #veggan on Instagram to prove how much a runny yolk can change a dish.
Elizabeth Ward, a registered dietitian who previously served as a spokesperson for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, points out that eggs are incredibly nutritious and satisfying. She supports adding them to an eating plan.
"Being a vegan can be tricky because you need to be careful about getting enough of some nutrients," she said.
Vitamin B12 and choline are two essential nutrients that are found in higher amounts in animal foods, and they're often better absorbed from animal foods, too. According to Ward, eggs can help to fill some of the potential nutrient gaps that vegan diets pose: "They are an excellent source of choline, and provide vitamin B12 and iron, as well as protein and many other nutrients," she said.
Indeed, eggs have long-been dubbed "the perfect protein," with one large egg containing six grams of the most readily available protein to the body.
Outdated wisdom suggested eggs could contribute to high cholesterol, but recent studies show that the food's good cholesterol doesn't raise a healthy person's risk. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, some studies have shown that moderate egg consumption (about seven a week) can actually help prevent the risk of some heart-related conditions.
What's more, eggs are affordable, portable and pair well nutritionally and deliciously with many plant-based foods.
The rising term "veggan" comes at a time when there are seemingly millions of specialty diets under the sun. Whether you're a flexitarian, a bacon-after-beer subscriber or a vegan before six, the truth is is that there are many ways to be healthy -- and it doesn't really matter what you call yourself. If you stick to real, whole foods that you feel good about eating and that fuel you're body, you're doing alright, whether you have a cool Instagram hashtag or not.
H/T Well and Good
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