By Heide Kennedy, Arizona Farm Bureau Communications Intern
Prices have been going up everywhere for some time due to inflation, and one place where you might have noticed it happening the most is at the grocery store. This has many consumers making changes to their buying habits to help stretch their dollar as far as it can go when buying groceries.
(photo credit: BigStockPhoto.com)
One change that might be tempting is to back off on the quality and quantity of protein sources that you purchase. But there is one protein source that is actually very economical despite price increases and is incredibly nutritious as well!
According to registered dietician Kathy Kolasa, eggs pack a big nutritional punch in one little shell. Like all animal proteins, eggs provide all 9 essential amino acids. These essential amino acids are the ones that our bodies don’t produce on their own and must be gotten through our diets. In addition to their amino acid content, eggs are also a good source of vitamin A, which is good for eye health and also acts as an antioxidant. They are also a good source of vitamin D, which supports bone health and immune system function.
With the higher egg prices that we saw at the beginning of last year, each egg was about $0.35. An average egg has 6 grams of protein, so you were essentially paying about $0.06 per gram of protein when buying eggs. Compare that to canned tuna, which comes to about $0.07 per gram of protein, or pre-sliced turkey for sandwiches which is around $0.10 per gram of protein. Other cuts of meat such as steaks or chops also tend to be pricier.
So, with that being said, simple, little eggs are a pretty smart move when you’re looking to buy a high-quality protein source while still being budget-friendly. Another plus to eggs is that they are incredibly versatile and can be cooked or used in so many different ways. The Fill Your Plate website has lots more recipes and blog articles about eggs! Check them out!
P.S. Did you know that we produce lots of amazing eggs and egg products right here in Arizona? Make sure to look for them when you’re out shopping!