In Diabetes, one has to be really particular with the type of lifestyle one has, including the food habits and the amount of physical exercise. It is often very important to take extreme care of your body when you are suffering from diabetes as the disease brings in a lot of other related complications. As such, there are numerous questions on the inclusion of certain foods in the diet. One such food is an egg. Eggs are, without a doubt, a great source of protein, vitamins, and several other nutrients which can be considered really healthy. However, the doubt and the concern arises due to the eggs being very rich in cholesterol

In this article, we try to find out the answer to the question: “Should Eggs be Included in the diet of a person suffering from diabetes?” We shall delve deep and analyze whether it is safe to consume eggs for a diabetes patient.

Some Facts Related to Eggs

Before we delve deep and try to analyze whether the consumption of eggs is healthy for a person suffering from diabetes, we need to understand a few facts related to eggs. Following are a few facts which might help us to understand the relation between diabetes and eggs:

• Eggs contain a very high level of cholesterol. It is because of this reason that most of the studies suggest that eggs should not be consumed if a person is suffering from diabetes. This can lead to higher risks of contracting several heart- related issues.
• Besides, the egg consists of two edible parts: the egg white and the yolk. The yolk is particularly considered to be a very high source of cholesterol and it is therefore recommended to be avoided.
• Eggs are considered to be a great source of protein, all the essential fatty acids, vitamin A, vitamin D, and also minerals such as iron, calcium, etc.
• Eggs contain no amount of sugar or carbohydrate.
• It is a known fact that a quail egg consists of less cholesterol as compared to the other type of edible eggs available.

Having said that, consumption of a moderate amount of egg should not pose any harm for diabetes as we shall find out in the following paragraphs. After taking into consideration, a few other factors, different type of eggs can be consumed adequately.

The Relation Between Eggs and Diabetes

We now will try to understand the relation between the eating eggs and diabetes. Most of the people ask the question that whether it is safe for a person suffering from diabetes to have eggs? Well, several studies conducted have shown that eating eggs will not lead to diabetes if you are not a diabetes patient already. If you are someone who is suffering from diabetes, however, you need to manage the quantity consumed.

Eating too much could be harmful to you and also give rise to the other complications which come along with diabetes. Most popular amongst the complications is the several heart diseases which might be contracted due to a high level of cholesterol in the eggs you eat.

In the following paragraphs, we delve deeper into the relation between eggs and its effects on diabetes and try to analyze how eggs can be included in the daily diet for best results without causing any harm.

How Can Eating Eggs Prevent Diabetes and Also Benefit a Person Suffering from Diabetes?

As discussed above, there could be some benefits that a patient suffering from diabetes might have by eating eggs.

The following are some of the essential benefits:

• Studies have shown that eating of eggs in people with no diabetes can reduce the risk of catching diabetes by 40%. This is true especially in the case of type 2 diabetes. The chances of getting type 2 diabetes are significantly reduced.
• As seen above, eggs contain a large number of varied nutrients. These combined, go a long way in helping the sugar in the body to metabolize. This, in turn, curbs or prevents the very onset of diabetes.
• Eggs are known to be an extremely rich source of potassium. Potassium is known to be a great chemical which helps in balancing the level of sodium as required by the body. This helps in reducing the chances of getting several types of heart- related
• The biotin which is present in the yolk of the egg is an essential element which helps in the production of insulin in the body. Insulin sensitivity as we know by now is very much required for the prevention of the disease.
• It is a well- known fact that obesity could be one of the most important factors leading to type 2 diabetes.With 75 calories found in one large egg, eggs are not too big on calories and can be a part of the healthy diet when you are planning to lose weight. Also, eggs contain only 1.6 grams of saturated fat and as a result, they are very good for those trying to lose all that extra weight.
• Eggs are known to be a very good source of protein as well. This helps one feel full without raising the level of blood sugar at the same time. Besides, protein is known to be a good source of digestion too which goes a long way in avoiding various diabetes- related
• The eggs which are a good source of omega 3 acids go a long way in providing all the beneficial fats that are needed by a person who suffers from diabetes.
• Finally, the carotenoid present in the eggs helps improve the vision in the eye which could be a possible concern for a patient with diabetes.

Thus, as seen above, one need not curtail the consumption of eggs completely for the fear of getting the disease. Having said that, a certain amount of precaution and moderation needs to be maintained while including the same in the diet.

In the paragraphs that follow, we shall explore more about the consumption of eggs and its relation to diabetes.

What are the Risks Associated with Eating Eggs?

Although eating of eggs could give some benefits to prevent diabetes and also for those suffering from the disease, there are a few risks and shortcoming associated with the consumption of eggs as far as diabetes is concerned.

In the following points, we look into the adverse effects of eating eggs as far as diabetes is concerned:

• When you eat more than the prescribed amount of eggs as part of your daily diet, it is known to be highly risky for heart diseases. Eggs, as rich as they are in cholesterol can lead to a number of cardiovascular diseases, particular in patients suffering from type 2 diabetes.
• Most of the times, eggs are cooked by adding a lot of salt and fats in them. This makes the whole thing unhealthy and should be avoided if you do not want diabetes to set in.
• There has been much research which suggests that people who consumed more than the standard prescribed amount of egg stood a very high chance of contracting type 2 diabetes and also various kinds of heart diseases.
• Most of the times people eat eggs by frying them. In this case, even a healthy egg becomes unhealthy in all its sense and gives rise to many diseases along with diabetes.
• One of the many risks associated with the eating of eggs by a person suffering from diabetes is the one which takes place if you have too much potassium in your body coupled with problems in the kidney. Eggs, being a rich source of potassium will increase to more accumulation of the chemical leading to adverse health effects.

What is the Prescribed Amount of Cholesterol?

Well, as seen above, we know that consumption of the right amount of egg will not do any harm to the person who is either suffering from diabetes or wants to avoid diabetes altogether. Hence, we need to understand what is the prescribed consumption of egg then as that helps in understanding the right amount of cholesterol for diabetes.

• Experts recommend that if a person is suffering from any type of diabetes, the standard amount of cholesterol which the person can have in a day is about 200 mg. with one large egg having around 186 mg of cholesterol, one egg per day should be a healthy and safe choice.
• On the other hand, if a person is healthy in all aspects, the prescribed amount of cholesterol one can safely consume in a day is about 300 mg.

So now we know that moderate consumption of egg is totally safe and allowed for a person with or without diabetes.

What is in Store for People with Diabetes Who Want to Eat Eggs?

• As seen in the above paragraphs, if you are a diabetic patient, you can enjoy eggs but only with certain moderation to be kept in mind.
• Your overall treatment of diabetes should be paired with a good lifestyle, a healthy diet, and adequate physical exercise. That way a few eggs is something that you can definitely enjoy once a week after taking into account different factors which might affect a diabetes patient.

How to Include Eggs in Your Daily Diet in Order to Stay Healthy?

It can go really tricky if you want to eat eggs and you are someone who wants to avoid diabetes or is already a diabetes patient. However, if you follow a healthy lifestyle, you can still continue eating those delicious eggs. The only thing you need is to keep a few things in mind when you are including the eggs in your daily diet.

Following are a few tips to be followed if you want to continue eating eggs while staying away from diabetes and its various complications at the same time:

• Remember to include only three to four eggs in your diet every week. If you go beyond that number, you will end up taking it more than the prescribed amount of cholesterol.
• Also, try to avoid eating yolks to the extent possible. You should concentrate on just the egg whites to the extent possible.
• Use organic or pastured eggs. Make sure that the eggs you eat are from a very healthy source. This is important because healthier the source, the healthier the egg will be.
• Do not eat fried eggs, if you are a diabetes patient already. Frying can end up giving you a lot of bad cholesterol, which, in turn, will lead to varied types of heart diseases. Use scrambled or boiled eggs instead.
• Do remember to not team your eggs with anything that is unhealthy. For example, eating eggs with sausages, bacon, etc. can lead to very unhealthy and undesirable results.
• Experts recommend that eggs can be definitely added to the plan of your healthy diet which shall include fruits, vegetables, along with eggs.

We hope that the post has been helpful in removing some of the doubts you had with regards to the relation between diabetes and the inclusion and subsequent consumption of eggs in the diet.

Although eggs are known to contain a large amount of cholesterol, the various other nutrients that are present in eggs makes them a very healthy choice for all those who want to avoid diabetes or are already suffering from the disease. If you are fond of eggs, do include them in the diet in the recommended prescribed amount as mentioned in the above paragraphs.

Just remember, however, to get your cholesterol levels checked from time to time.  Having said that, do remember to consult your medical doctor before consuming them as regards to the quantity and the type of egg to be consumed. What is beneficial for someone else may not be completely useful for your body. This is particularly true for all the patients who do suffer from diabetes and other related health disorders!