Eggs have been the staple of most vegetarian diets for decades now. However, with the rise of veganism, with the worry about increased cholesterol levels and the impact of egg farming on chickens, vegan eggs are now becoming a thing.
But what are vegan eggs? Well, the first thing you need to know is that they do not come from an animal. In this sense, they are not really an ‘egg’.
However, they are made and designed to mimic the properties of eggs, so that vegans can use them in breakfasts, sandwiches, and baking. So, what are the nutritional benefits of vegan eggs? Do they have the same amount of protein as a regular egg?
Are there any drawbacks to consuming one of these eggs? Well, we’ve gleaned as much knowledge as we can about these eggs and are going to give you the complete lowdown.
So, What Exactly Is A Vegan Egg?
Well, the first thing that needs to be established is the fact that vegan eggs are not really eggs. In fact, they do not even have the shape of most eggs. They come in a liquid form that can be added to the frying pan or the baking bowl for making cakes.
They have a lot of the same properties as regular eggs. You can use them to help you bind cakes, which is one of the egg’s best jobs.
However, they do resemble the texture and the flavor of eggs, meaning that you can scramble them in the frying pan and add them to your fried breakfast. The composition of vegan eggs can be derived from a range of sources.
You can get a vegan egg that is made from chia seeds, which is a great source of natural protein. You can also get them from mung beans or soy, again, both being rich sources of natural protein. You can get vegan egg products that are premade.
If you fancy a vegan omelet, you can buy it ready-made in a vacuum-sealed packet. You can also pour it directly into the pan and scramble it. The vegan egg mix is surprisingly versatile.
Why Are Vegan Eggs Consumed?
One of the principal reasons why people eat vegan eggs is the fact that they do not involve any chickens. Farming eggs can be a cruel practice, with a lot of chickens being kept in poor conditions in cramped cages where they are prone to catch diseases.
For this same reason, a lot of people avoid eating eggs because they are not as healthy as they are from chickens that are reared in the wild.
If you are an ethical vegan, then you might be more likely to eat an egg from a naturally farmed chicken, although you might be against the terminating of chicken fetuses.
The fact that these eggs are made from plant-based sources is also one of the reasons that people opt to consume them.
Eggs that are taken from chickens are very high in cholesterol, so if you have been warned by your doctor to keep away from high-cholesterol foods, then you’ll want to cut out eggs altogether. This is also great for vegan chefs and bakers.
Vegan eggs are amazing to work with if you are looking for something to bind your ingredients with. This is sticky and will mix with flour and vegan butter in much the same way as chicken eggs would.
Are Vegan Eggs Good For You?
The fact that vegan eggs contain absolutely no cholesterol is amazing. If you are looking to reduce the amount of cholesterol that you get daily, then we would strongly recommend that you switch out your chicken-farmed eggs for vegan ones.
But some people might be concerned about the nutritional properties of vegan eggs compared to regular eggs. Regular eggs contain a very high level of protein, with almost 6.3 grams of protein in a medium-sized egg.
Chicken-farmed eggs also contain lots of vitamin D, vitamin A, choline, and lutein. But how do vegan eggs stack up against chicken eggs?
Well, you’ll be happy to know that if you are swapping out your chicken eggs for your vegan eggs, you shouldn’t expect too much of a difference in nutrition. A vegan egg contains 5 grams of protein, which is only 1 gram less than a chicken egg.
The fact is that these types of eggs are made from all different ingredients, so they have a broad nutritional profile. They contain a lot more sodium than a regular egg, which means that they should still be consumed only in moderation.
Are Vegan Eggs Bad For You?
These eggs are no worse for you than regular eggs, although the fact that they are made with so many ingredients does complicate matters a little. Whole foods contain very few ingredients whereas processed foods contain a lot.
Therefore, vegan eggs are a lot more processed than chicken eggs. One of the downsides of vegan eggs compared to dairy eggs is the fact that dairy eggs are a lot cheaper.
You can get a box of free-range eggs very cheaply, which will be more appealing to families that are on a budget. The fact is that if you are opting for a healthier diet, then you’ll more than likely have to make a tradeoff between health and finances.
Vegan diets are a lot more expensive and only really reserved for people who value their ethics. We would recommend that you eat vegan eggs but try and boost them with a natural source of protein.
This is because eggs are so packed with protein that it will be hard to replace them fully.
Conclusion
We hope that our guide to vegan eggs has given you everything that you need to know about this product.
You should know that they are not packed with as many macros as chicken eggs, but they do contain zero cholesterol, so if you are looking to maintain a healthy heart, then they are a great option.
One of the most common things I talk to my clients about is calories, but so few of them actually know anything about them.
Calories is not a dirty word. If you remove emotion from it, it is simply a unit of energy.
We need calories to live and thrive, and knowing how many to consume is important to ensure that you’re living a healthy lifestyle.
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