Eat eggs and lose weight!

It is often said that the best things come in small packages, and if you take the case of the humble egg, you can't help but agree. Packed with protein, good fats and essential vitamins, eggs have some of the most health-friendly properties to boast of. Eating eggs, especially for breakfast, may just be what makes or breaks your weight loss diet.

The percentage of Indian adults living with obesity is set to jump to around 5 per cent by 2025. In absolute numbers present 30 million obese Indians in 2016 will reach the figure of 70 million by 2025!
Obesity in India has reached epidemic proportions in the 21st century, with morbid obesity affecting 5 per cent of the country's population.

India is following a trend of other developing countries that are steadily becoming more obese. Unhealthy, processed food has become much more accessible following India's continued integration in global food markets. This, combined with rising middle class incomes, is increasing the average caloric intake per individual among the middle class and above income households. Obesity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease

The problem of obesity starts early in India. The country has the second highest number of obese children – 14.4 million – in the world after China. A sedentary lifestyle and junk food are the main causes. Indian diets are carbohydrate-heavy and oil-rich.

In this scenario and times thankfully we can look at eggs, which contain vitamin D, necessary for healthy bones and teeth, and nutrients that helps balance blood sugar levels, protect against heart disease and support the healthy function of nerves and the brain. Most importantly, eggs have also been regarded as one of the best weight loss foods.

Eggs are high on protein and protein is a must in your weight loss diet. The best ways to prepare eggs for weight loss is an egg white salad, or a quick omelette with several veggies, or a sandwich with egg whites.

Eggs are dubbed as the best ways to start the day if you want to lose weight. This is because a breakfast meal with eggs provides significantly greater satiety and lowers the desire to eat until the lunch and thus, keeping cravings and binging away.

Boosts metabolic activity
Eggs help in boosting the metabolic activity of the body. Evidence suggests that during digestion, egg proteins are converted into peptides that help lower blood pressure in the same way as conventional drugs.

Low in calories
A typical egg meal, consists of about 2 to 4 eggs. Approximately, three large boiled eggs contain less than 240 calories. Sprucing it up with low calorie and nutrient rich seasonal vegetables will further make a meal wholesome in just about 300 calories.

Eggs are filling
They great sources of complete proteins and have a high satiety value, which measures the ability of the food to reduce appetite and increase fullness.

Cheap and easy to prepare
Incorporating eggs into your diet is very easy. They are inexpensive, widely available and can be prepared within minutes. Eggs are delicious almost every way you make them, but are most often boiled, scrambled, made into an omelet or baked.

By: Suresh Chitturi, Vice Chairman, International Egg Commission