Check out my progress on Return to Ovo-Land
Two years ago, in the infancy of the Broccoli Hut, I decided to eliminate eggs from my diet. After learning about the mistreatment of chickens on CAFOs, purchasing and consuming chicken eggs struck me as particularly distasteful. Thus, I have been a lacto-vegetarian ever since.
However, in recent weeks, I’ve been re-evaluating my choice to exclude eggs from my diet. Allow me to explain:
Nutrition Throughout my study of nutrition, I’ve learned that egg white protein is among the highest quality protein sources available. Indeed, according to its Protein Digestibility Corrected Amino Acid Score (PDCAAS), egg white protein ranks even higher than beef. Due to my recent “clean eating” endeavors, I have become more aware of my protein intake, and I would like to incorporate more of this valuable source of protein into my daily meals.
Convenience I reside in the Deep South, a region of the country not particularly noted for vegan- or vegetarian-friendly fare. Accordingly, dining out has been more challenging over the past few years, requiring increased reliance on garden salads and other less-than-satisfying fare when traveling or celebrating with family. Including eggs in my diet again would reduce the obstacles involved with these otherwise enjoyable activities.
Taste Being the true foodie that I am, I must admit that taste is also a major factor in this decision to re-introduce eggs into my life. While I thoroughly enjoy the flavor experience provided by my beloved scrambled tofu, it really doesn’t taste like eggs. Sometimes my taste buds crave the simple delight that is an egg white omelet.
Mental Health A final reason for my return to “ovo-land” involves my desire to eat more intuitively. Ever since my struggles with anorexia, eating according to my bodily needs has been a feat of logic rather than of instinct or taste. In light of my aforementioned cravings for eggs, I think it is best that I stop denying myself of this culinary pleasure; I’ve done quite enough of that in my lifetime already.
Whew. Quite a lengthy explanation for a simple dietary decision, no?
What are some of your favorite egg recipes?
So let’s see how my first day back as a lacto-ovo vegetarian shaped up:
I went with my intuition this morning and made an egg white omelet for breakfast. I must say, I am pretty proud of my omelet-making skills after a two-year hiatus.
After some hard-core GRE studying, I re-fueled with a twist on my Waldorf Salad recipe. I added chickpeas for protein, and substituted sunflower seeds and Craisins for walnuts and raisins.
With Memorial Day approaching, I had a major BBQ craving. This tempeh version seemed to satisfy:)
Off to review more vocabulary for the GRE. Ciao!
Filed under: Meals
Caroline Yoder, dietitian-to-be and all-around foodie.
I 100% support your decision, and have been thinking about this for myself as well. We shall discuss it further when we catch up soon
I’ve basically given up on eggs, not because I don’t like them but because I can’t cook them right. I love a good runny yolk and am just awful at recreating that. My tip for scrambled eggs is always add a little bit of milk or almond milk to keep them fluffy.
Make yourself a fried egg–it’s FAB!!! Then dip some lovely bread in the runny yolk! Eggs are so great for baking too. I could never cut them out because my muffins/bread/cake need eggs.
Good for you for going with what your body craves. It sounds like you have thought your decision through.
I am so glad that you are listening to your cravings and enjoying what you feel is best for your body. Good Luck with your future decisions on health!!
welcome back egg whites
love love love eggs.
my fav way to have eggs are either with goat cheese or now jarlsberg OR sweet omelets with pumpkin laughing cow and jam smooshed and melted in the middle
mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm now i want eggs hahah
I love eggs! I’ve been making omelets (one whole egg + a few whites) with Laughing Cow cheese – the creaminess of the LC is fantastic with the eggs! An egg puff in a wrap with veggies and salsa or hummus is great too!
Good luck with GRE studying! I still have nightmares of learning all those vocab words!
I’m with ya on jumping on the egg bandwagon! Sometimes I crave nothing more than a simple hard boiled egg w cracked pepper on top … you should try it!
Congrats on making a decision based on what is best for your body and not any kind of label. It’s good to have you back in ovo-land
My absolute favorite way to eat eggs is hard-boiled. But usually when I want a hard-boiled egg, I don’t have any around and don’t want to wait the 8 minutes (plus water heating time!) to make them, so I’ll just fry them. Also delicious.
I applaud you on your omelette making skills, especially after your hiatus. It looks delicious. I only wish I liked eggs, because they are such a versatile food, and so easy to cook. I shall live vicariously through your egg adventures!
Yay for eggs! I always buy the supposedly cage free eggs and even thought about buying a csa of just eggs this year from a local farm (it was much more affordable than the produce csa!).
I find that one egg can keep me as full as a bowl of oatmeal in the morning. I guess it’s thanks to that egg white protein! Fried eggs are my favorite so I can dip my bread in the yolk!
eggs are in the best of baked goods <3
i think its great youve been able to reevaluate your wants and needs
Caroline– I’m glad you re- incorporated eggs into your diet. If you choose cage-free/local/organic eggs, then there’s no mistreatment or other factors (for the most part…that’s what I buy!) I was seriously thinking of eliminating eggs from mine, but after reading what you wrote and how nutritionally dense and great it is for your body, I choose not to
You’ve also been a GREAT example in this, too 
Thanks!
I do have one suggestion/ input though… Why can’t you eat the whole egg– why just egg whites? You really don’t have to be on a diet…. especially having had anorexia, and I know where your coming from
Truly being intuitive with your body is allowing yourself to eat whatever you want in a non- diet form but as much as your body wants and is satiated with. Read “Intuitive Eating” it’s the BEST book i’ve EVER read…if you haven’t read it…highly recommend it 
I loved your “alphabet oats challenge” it’s great to challenge yourself 
Again, you DON’T need to be on a diet, girl, I think ED might be comin’ after you on that one 
Also, you buy SOOO many cookbooks and other gadgets, “Intuative Eating” is half the price of those online. Again, GREAT book, I really learned SOOO much
I also semi gave up eating eggs after reading that it was just as terrible as eating chicken or other meat with regards to the conditions on the factory farms. I’ve gotten local eggs from the farmers market a few times, and I also make exceptions when I travel because some countries just have difficult food situations to begin with and there’s no way I’m giving up having a full and enjoyable experience when I travel. It’s a matter of priorities.
I say it’s great you’re going with your intuition, and you shouldn’t feel bad at all as long as you’re buying organic. I hate the vegan label, or any label really, especially given that I’ve had similar food issues as you in the past and don’t want to restrict any specific foods and respect myself more than anything. I just call myself a “conscious” eater
I must ask though, why no yolk? Is it a nutrition thing, taste preference? Just curious since you’re the nutrition student!
I had given up eggs for awhile but now enjoy egg whites almots daily (I’ve never liked egg yolk). It’s such a good source of easy, cheap easily digestible protein for me and I really enjoy them!
That omelette looks great. Congrats on making the decision to re-include eggs. I just wondered what the GRE, you mentioned in your post, is? Thanks!
i love eggs! i think i could be a vegetarian but would hold on fiercely to my eggs + dairy (well, actually i’d have a lot of trouble leaving fish and seafood behind too!)
i also say give the yolk a try – especially sunny side up or over easy. eggs are also great in the context of a stirfry — veggies, tofu, brown rice, and an egg for tons of extra flavor (and a little protein boost).
oh! and once you are back in this area, the CSA that meg and i get (bella beans) has the option of fresh eggs from smaller local farms. they are all shades of white and brown, it’s cool!
I always say that the one thing from ever keeping me vegan would be eggs. Oh my gosh, I love them. I know they’re not for everyone, but I could not live without omelets in my life, and yours looks PERFECT!
Loving the BBQ tempeh as well. Seriously, I think I could live on cheesy omelets and tempeh for the rest of my life and be a happy girl…oh and maybe with some tortilla chips as well.
Good luck studying for the GRE!
Hey Mamacita!
Way to listen to your gut on the egg front. I think all women who’ve had anorexia in the past need to be mindful of their decisions about what to eat and what not to eat. I found certain kind of freedoms within veganism that I could not get when I tried to eat conventionally, and I fell in love with the lifestyle from a larger perspective (ie, ethically, taste-wise, etc.), but I am also ever careful about not EVER imposing limitation onto myself.
I’d also be curious about why egg whites over eggs — since so much good stuff, Vit D included, is in the yolks! But it’s all about what feels right to you. I actually used to eat the whites because the yolks made me a bit queasy, and I didn’t find myself attracted to them — but that was yet another reason why I didn’t find that they were foods that I was spiritually inclined to eat. In other words, if I was eating whites just to pump myself up with protein, that was UN-intuitive, and my best option was to seek out protein in sources that appealed to me.
Lovely omelet — don’t they say that the test of a real chef is her skills with an omelet? Nice one!
Gena
I love eggs as a source of protein. They’re quick to prepare, and boiled ones are a great grab-and-go snack or breakfast.
You are more than right to listen to your body Caroline, it is definitely a wise choice and will only benefit you!
Buy your eggs organic, if all possible from a farm, they are the best, nutritious and delicious!
I like egg white omelets too, especially filled with a bit of goat cheese! yum!
I also like boiled egg whites chopped up and seasoned with salt, pepper and good olive oil, it is good.
Ana
I haven’t been eating eggs for long, but am trying to eat more for the protein content (plus, they are SO cheap!) I use them for baking mostly- the protein muffins with Spiru-tein are really good. Also a fan of sweet omelettes (beat with vanilla and cinnamon, fill with fruit/cottage cheese).
You don’t need to explain yourself at all, my dear! I 100% support you in your decision to include eggs…it is one of the most nutritious foods on earth! But I’m curious as to why you don’t include the yolks? It is the best part of the egg!
im very impressed with your mad dog omelet skills having been sans eggs for so long!! others already brought it up, but the yolk is where all the vitamins are!!
anyway, i wanted to know more about the tempeh actually. how did u do the bbq? do u boil it in veggie broth to get the supposed bitter taste out? i’ve never had it but bought some and was wondering if you have any good suggestions on how to prepare it? thanks! way to honor your body cues!
Waldorf salad is incredible!! I’ve never tried it with chickpeas before, that’s very creative.
mmm….i love eggs! you should check and see if you have any farmer’s markets around. they usually have local eggs, which are delicious and have beautiful bright orange yolks!!