Eating Eggs in Summer Diet: Health Benefits, Disadvantages and Impact on Health

If you’ve been advised to stay away from eggs particularly in summers, you’re not the only one. A lot is made out of eggs being a “hot” food item, and thus they should be avoided in summers. Some people blame acne on them, others blame stomach problems. But scientifically there isn’t much truth in any of this, suggest health experts.Breaking it down for us is Dr Ashwini Setya, Gastroenterologist and Programme Director in Delhi’s Max Super Speciality Hospital, who explains that in Ayurveda food items have a certain taseer or effect. However the myth of avoiding eggs in the summers is just that - a myth.As long as you’re eating a balanced diet, it’s perfectly alright to eat eggs in summers.Dr Ashwini SetyaNutritionist Dr Rupali Datta further points out that eggs are attributed a hot taseer which has nothing to do with their temperature, but with concentrated nutrients in them.Food items which are very nutritious are normally associated with being hot. It’s advisable to eat more of them in winters because the body needs the extra nutrients in cold weather. Dr Rupali Datta‘Don’t Give up Eggs in Summers’Nutritionist Kavita Devgan has a slightly different point of view to offer, but with the same conclusion.There are some foods that are inherently cooling and some that provide heat, but that doesn’t mean you cannot have them at all in other seasons. Eggs can be warming, but they are such a nutritionally loaded food that giving them up completely during summers does not make sense. They can be had in moderation all through summers.Kavita DevganDr Datta affirms the same and points out that as long as you’re watching your cholesterol levels and blood pressure, there really is nothing to stop you from eating eggs. As always, the key is moderation.If your cholesterol is fine and there is no problem of blood pressure, eggs are perfectly alright. They are a complete protein in themselves and therefore are very nutritious.Dr Rupali DattaMaking Eggs Part of Your DietKavita says that most people can handle two eggs a day. However, like it’s true of all diet modifications, it’s important to see how each of them work for you. Dr Datta provides a word of caution and would rather limit this to one egg a day if you feel your body is unable to handle two. This is more likely if you’re already eating a meat-heavy diet.Each egg contains 186 mg of cholesterol. If the rest of your diet includes a lot of meat, you can bring down the eggs to two-three per week. You can couple it with greens and whole grains to keep your diet well-rounded. If you’re primarily vegetarian and eat meat probably once or twice a month, eat eggs every day.Dr Rupali DattaIt’s also important to pay attention to the manner in which you prepare eggs.Eggs that are fried or loaded with fat are a bad idea. Instead opt for simply scrambled or boiled eggs, an omelette is a good idea too.Kavita DevganEggs, Digestion and AcneSometimes young girls and boys are advised to stay away from eggs for they cause acne. But is there any truth to this?This seems to be a very individual thing. How different bodies react to different food items is quite specific. However when it comes to eggs, if you’re eating them in moderation and coupling it with lots of water, fruits and things like chaaj there should be no problems.Dr Rupali DattaOn the concern of digestion, she adds:It’s true that digestion in summers is slower as compared to in winters. This is true of all food items, not just eggs. As long as your choices are rationalised, there’s still nothing to worry about.Dr Rupali DattaStill concerned about eating eggs in summers? Kavita offers some protein alternatives in the form of legumes and lentils like moong dal. Other than these, you can also explore dairy and tofu.

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#WhatWeEat: How to Include Eggs in Your Diet During Summers

Did someone tell you not to eat eggs in summers? Looks like a fact-check by health experts is in order.

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Topics: World Health Day Diet Eggs