I got many amusing comments after my April Fool’s Day Post! Of course, the four food groups was a joke. However, YES, popcorn is definitely a whole grain and can be a healthy snack!
Today, we’re back to the normal, practical, evidence-based information!
Easter Eggs: What To Do With All Of Them!
Ok, so maybe you decorated eggs this past weekend for an Easter Egg hunt. Now you’re thinking, what can I do with all these eggs? Are they safe to eat with dye on them? And how many eggs can I eat without causing my cholesterol to go through the roof?
Here are the quick and easy answers to those questions!
Are Dyed Easter Eggs Safe to Eat?
There are two issues when it comes to Easter eggs. First, were they out of the fridge for more than 2 hours? If so, then you probably should not eat them as they were at a temperature that could foster bacteria.
The second issue is what type of dye you used for the eggs. If it is simply a vegetable based dye (check the ingredient list on your dye package), then you’re fine. I believe that most egg dyes are vegetable based. Even if some of the dye seeped into the egg, you are still ok to eat it.
How Many Eggs Can I Eat Without Cholesterol Problems?
Eggs definitely get a bad name when it comes to cholesterol. Generally, eggs are relatively low in fat, good sources of protein and can be easy snacks. However, they do have about 213 mg of cholesterol in each one.
The recommendation for the average person is not to exceed 300 mg per day, on average. For people with high cholesterol or heart disease, we prefer that you don’t have more than 200 mg/day, on average.
What I usually recommend for egg consumption, is between 3 and 4 eggs per week. If you like to have eggs more often than that, you can remove the yolk, and then it doesn’t count towards your total!
Also, remember that this is an average. If you eat more eggs in one week, and less in another, that’s ok. As long as you’re not eating a dozen eggs more than once every 3 weeks!
What Can I do with All These Hard Boiled Eggs?
There are a lot of things that you can do with hard boiled eggs! Some of them are healthier than others, of course! You can make deviled eggs, eat them plain as a snack, or make an egg salad sandwich.
In order to keep things healthy and not overwhelm you, here’s a recipe for egg salad that adds some extra spices and flavorings that will add phytochemicals to the traditional recipe. Serve it with tomato and whole grain bread and you’ve got a great cancer fighting meal!
Recipe: Egg Salad Sandwich
Leftover Easter Egg Salad
- 8 hard-boiled eggs (peeled)
- 2 tablespoons minced green onion
- 1/4 cup minced celery
- 1 1/2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
- 2 teaspoons white vinegar
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
- 2 tablespoons chopped dill
- 8 slices whole wheat bread
- Cracked black pepper
- Chop the eggs. Stir in the onion, celery, mustard, vinegar, mayonnaise and salt. Cover and chill until ready to serve.
- Toss together the shredded lettuce and dill.
- Divide the egg salad among 4 slices of the bread, spreading it to the corners. Grind black pepper over the egg salad, then place equal amounts of the lettuce-dill mixture on each sandwich. Top with the remaining bread slices. Cut in half and serve.
Enjoy! And be sure not to eat any of those plastic eggs. They’re really not good for you!
– Julie
