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Food trends come and go, but eggs have continued to reign as the top breakfast staple. Packed with protein, these versatile and affordable foods are packed with important nutrients, including protein, iodine, vitamin B12, and choline, a nutrient that can help support memory.
In recent years, consumers have become increasingly aware of the ethics behind their food choices, and eggs are no exception. Options like pasture-raised, free-range, and organic have flooded grocery store shelves, but what does it all mean? Pasture-raised eggs, for example, tend to command a higher price, but that’s simply because these chickens require more land; that is, they are raised both indoors and outdoors in open grasslands. Cage-free is similar, as these animals have larger enclosures (and therefore the farmer has fewer chickens), while USDA organic certification means that no pesticides, hormones, or antibiotics have been included in the chickens’ feed.
Remember, most of the nutrients found in an egg reside in the yolk, so no matter what source of egg you’re eating, you’ll get a decent nutrient boost. And since the American Heart Association suggests that one egg (or two egg whites) is fine for healthy people who eat them as part of a healthy diet, it’s good to know that including an egg in a balanced diet isn’t just a It’s a delicious practice, but it’s also not likely to be harmful to your heart health. (Note: The American Heart Association suggests that, in general, older adults with healthy cholesterol can consume two eggs a day.)
While most eggs will provide you with important nutrients, some varieties offer more features, such as organic or pasture-raised, which some people prioritize. If you’re looking for eggs that offer those extra conveniences, here are eight to consider.
The 8 highest quality eggs
What used to be a simple task of grabbing a dozen eggs when shopping can now be a job that leaves people scratching their heads. With so many options available, here are some egg brands that are high quality and absolutely delicious!
Best of Eggland: Classic Large White Eggs
per egg: 60 calories, 4 g fat (1 g saturated fat), 65 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
Eggland’s Best Eggs are unique because they contain 25% less saturated fat, six times more vitamin D, and 10 times more vitamin E than regular eggs. In addition, they contain more than twice as many omega-3 fatty acids as regular eggs. They also stay fresh longer than regular eggs, which can help reduce food waste.
Happy Egg Co.: Heritage Free Ranch
per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 5 g protein
With deep amber yolks, Happy Egg Co. Heritage Free-Range Eggs are nothing short of gourmet. There’s a reason why Michelin-starred chefs love eggs laid by Hölzl Blue and Hölzl Brown chickens: their flavor is intense and rich, and the whites are not at all watery. These free-range eggs are also beautiful and come in brown and blue varieties inside Happy Egg’s biodegradable carton.
For a big nutritional boost, Happy Egg Co. also offers its Vitamin Plus box, which contains 12 free-range eggs that are fed a vitamin- and nutrient-enriched feed. This food produces eggs with 10 times the amount of vitamin D and two times the amount of vitamins B7 and B9 compared to standard eggs.
Vital Farms: Pasture-Raised Eggs
per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
Vital Farms’ logo is, well, pretty simple: “Keep it bullshit free.” Vital Farms ensures that their chickens are treated ethically and have plenty of room to roam; Eggs simply taste better without abuse. Vital Farms pasture-raised eggs come in regular and extra-large varieties (as well as organic) and feature deliciously golden yolks with six grams of protein per egg to keep you full and energized.
Alexandre Family Farm: eggs raised on large pastures
per egg: 91 calories, 5.85 g fat (1.95 g saturated fat), 87.75 mg sodium, 0.65 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 8.45 g protein
With a whopping 8.45 grams of protein per egg, Alexandre Family Farms eggs really up the ante. Alexandre Family Farm, known for its regenerative dairy farming practices, uses a mobile chicken coop to raise healthy, ethical chickens. All eggs are laid in nests and collected by hand, improving relationships between the farmer and the animals and reducing stress levels in the hens. And at the end of the day, these eggs are simply delicious.
Utopihen Farms: Large Organic Brown Eggs
per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
A utopia for chickens? Yes please! These USDA Certified Organic eggs are fed an organic, non-GMO, and pesticide-free diet, and since all affiliated farms are also USDA Certified Organic, no antibiotics or hormones are added. According to the Utopihen website, these pasture-raised eggs have 25% less saturated fat, twice as much omega-3 fatty acids, three times more vitamin D, and seven times more beta-carotene than conventionally raised eggs.
Organic Valley: Large Pasture-Raised Eggs
per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
Organic Valley is known not only for its delicious dairy products but also for the company’s USDA certified organic eggs. These chickens produce such delicious eggs because of their varied diet, as they are allowed to scratch and roost for grubs and sand rather than living their lives off the ground. Valley’s large organic pasture-raised eggs also provide 6% of your daily vitamin D, as well as the potassium and iron needed to help fill any nutritional gaps.
Pete and Gerry’s Organic Eggs
per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
These USDA Certified Organic eggs are laid by certified humane free-range hens that forage and socialize outdoors. These eggs are produced by small family farms that never use synthetic pesticides.
Eggs from peasant chickens: eggs raised on pastures
per egg: 70 calories, 5 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat), 70 mg sodium, 0 g carbohydrates (0 g fiber, 0 g sugar), 6 g protein
These delicious brown eggs have beautiful golden yolks. With a minimum of 108 square feet of grazing area per hen, they only eat nutritionally dense eggs from nutritionally satisfied hens that have foraged extensively to supplement their diets. Plus, Farmers Hen House processes their eggs with 100% solar energy, so it’s a win for you and the environment!
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