People with raised cholesterol often wonder if it’s OK to eat eggs, as egg yolk is rich in cholesterol. Generally speaking, as part of a healthy, balanced diet, it should be fine for most people, as the cholesterol in eggs does not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol.
It’s much more important to limit the amount of saturated fat you eat. Too much saturated fat can raise the cholesterol in your blood. So, most people can eat eggs as long as they are eaten as part of an overall healthy, balanced diet that is low in saturated fat.
If you have familial hypercholesterolaemia, you should limit your dietary cholesterol to 300mg a day, but it is probably better to aim for nearer 200 mg on average.
Find our more about about cholesterol-rich foods
Why eggs are good for you
For most people, eating eggs won’t have a significant effect on your blood cholesterol, and they’re good for you too.
They’re packed full of good stuff
Eggs contain protein, energy, vitamins and minerals which are all good for your body– because they contain everything a chick needs to grow and develop before hatching. Some are fortified with omega 3s.Eggs are fairly low in fat
Egg yolks contain some fat, but the white hardly contains any. One average egg (58g) contains around 4.6g fat, which is about a teaspoon. Only a quarter of this is saturated fat, the type that raises cholesterol levels in the body.Eggs are full of protein
The protein in eggs is easy to digest and contains all the building blocks of the proteins your body needs to function.Eggs contain vitamins that can be hard to eat enough of
Eggs are a good source of vitamins and minerals including vitamin D and the B vitamins – riboflavin, vitamin B12 and folate. Many people don’t get enough of these vitamins in their diet.Eggs are versatile
You can turn them into quick and easy savoury meals or desserts, or serve them scrambled, poached or boiled with toast and juice for a healthy start to the day.Eggs are a great food for young children
They are easy to eat, convenient, inexpensive and come in small packages, perfect for small tummies. You can give eggs to children after they are six months old.Eggs are safe to eat
Thanks to accreditation schemes and better farming methods, salmonella in British Eggs has largely been wiped out. So, not only are they healthy to eat, they’re safe too.Egg allergy is less common than you might think
Only about 2.5% of infants (less than three out of every hundred) have an allergic reaction to eggs and about half of these grow out of it by the time they reach school age. Around 0.5% of adults have an egg allergy (one in every 200 people).Most eggs meet the British Lion Egg Standard
Over 90% of the eggs produced in Britain qualify for the British Lion Egg Standard – a mark of quality, freshness and safety that was introduced to reduce salmonella. Eggs with the Lion Quality trademark stamp are marked with a code which shows how the hen that laid it was farmed (free range, organic, barn, caged etc) and allow you to trace the farm it came from.
Learn more about omega 3 fats
FAQs
For most healthy adults, it's safe to eat 1–2 eggs a day depending on how much other cholesterol is in your diet. If you already have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, it may be best to eat no more than 4–5 eggs per week.
Should I stop eating eggs if I have high cholesterol? ›
People with raised cholesterol often wonder if it's OK to eat eggs, as egg yolk is rich in cholesterol. Generally speaking, as part of a healthy, balanced diet, it should be fine for most people, as the cholesterol in eggs does not have a significant effect on blood cholesterol.
How many eggs a week should a senior eat? ›
How Many Eggs Can Older People Eat? There is no limit to the number of eggs older people can eat, with the exception of those with type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or any existing heart disease who can enjoy up to 7 eggs a week.
Are bananas good for cholesterol? ›
The fiber and potassium in bananas can reduce the level of cholesterol and blood pressure. Banana is especially known as a good source of soluble fibre which will gives one a healthy body and good immune system. Grapes get into the bloodstream and carry all the bad cholesterol into the liver where it gets processed.
What is the golden drink that lowers cholesterol? ›
Golden milk, also known as turmeric milk, is a common Indian drink that has recently been gaining popularity in western cultures due to many health claims. It's beautiful bright yellow color is a result of adding turmeric, along with spices such as cinnamon and ginger, to milk.
Is 2 eggs a day too much cholesterol? ›
One large egg has about 186 mg of cholesterol — all of which is found in the yolk. If your diet contains little other cholesterol, according to some studies, eating up to an egg a day might be an OK choice.
What can I drink to flush out my cholesterol? ›
Cholesterol is often high due to excessive saturated and trans fat consumption. There are certain drinks that can help maintain an ideal cholesterol level. Some of the best drinks for cholesterol management include green tea, pomegranate juice, citrus juice, soy milk, plant-based smoothies, and red wine.
Is peanut butter good for cholesterol? ›
Due to its high amount of unsaturated fats, peanut butter may help reduce a person's LDL cholesterol levels. Having optimal LDL levels is linked with a lower risk of heart disease. A 2015 study found that people who had a high intake of nuts may have a lower risk of cardiovascular disease mortality.
What is the healthiest way to eat eggs? ›
Overall, shorter and lower-heat cooking methods cause less cholesterol oxidation and help retain most of the egg's nutrients. For this reason, poached and boiled (either hard or soft) eggs may be the healthiest to eat. These cooking methods also don't add any unnecessary calories.
How many glasses of water should an elderly person drink a day? ›
According to the Reynolds Institute on Aging, Seniors should aim for 6 to 8 glasses of fluid a day, or approximately 1.5 liters. Have your senior sip on water throughout the day. Sometimes using a straw is easier and leads to more water consumption. Offer a full glass of water when they take medications.
Though they're high in cholesterol, they also have many health-promoting qualities. For healthy adults, eating 1–2 eggs a day appears safe, as long as they're consumed as part of an overall nutritious diet.
What is the #1 fruit for cholesterol? ›
Pears and apples have a lot of pectin, which is a type of fiber that can lower cholesterol. So do citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Berries are also high in fiber.
What is the number one food to lower cholesterol? ›
Oatmeal, oat bran and high-fiber foods
Oatmeal has soluble fiber, which reduces your low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol. Soluble fiber is also found in such foods as kidney beans, Brussels sprouts, apples and pears.
Is potato good for cholesterol? ›
Potatoes are rich in soluble fibre, which can be consumed by high cholesterol patients without any confusion. Consuming potatoes not only maintains the cholesterol level, but the body also gets many health benefits. Consumption of potatoes in cholesterol is safe only if you consume it properly.
What is the side effect of eating eggs every day? ›
Daily consumption of eggs can result in an increase in good cholesterol as well as bad cholesterol, which can predispose an individual towards the risk of cardiac disorders. Consuming eggs in excess can result in weight gain due to the high amount of saturated fats.
Are potatoes bad for cholesterol? ›
Potatoes are rich in soluble fibre, which can be consumed by high cholesterol patients without any confusion. Consuming potatoes not only maintains the cholesterol level, but the body also gets many health benefits. Consumption of potatoes in cholesterol is safe only if you consume it properly.
How much water should I drink to lower cholesterol? ›
Will drinking water help lower cholesterol? No. Water doesn't have a direct effect on cholesterol levels. While water and proper hydration are a vital part of a healthy body and diet, cholesterol is not a fat that water can dissolve.
Most eggs meet the British Lion Egg Standard