The United States is the world’s largest supplier of eggs and poultry, with nearly 100 billion eggs produced every year. However, do you find the egg section of the grocery store to be overwhelming? I know I sure do! I mean labels like “organic,” “free-range,” or “cage-free”. It’s hard to know which carton of eggs is best to buy! While egg labels should be simple and transparent. It’s unfortunately, anything but that.
I’ll help you understand what the best option is for you when it comes to egg labeling so that you can shop for the most excellent eggs available! One of the things that my functional medicine team told me was to switch over to an organic egg because of the nutritious value versus going for the cheapest eggs! d And since I was off of eggs for over 9 months to heal my gut. I had time to understand what all these labels mean. There are several different terms that describe the conditions of egg-laying hens’ lifestyles, and two of the most common are cage-free and organic.
All things considered, which is better, cage-free eggs or organic eggs? The short answer is organic, but it’s a little more complicated than that. In order to understand the benefits and drawbacks of cage-free and organic eggs, it’s necessary to examine the conditions in which most eggs are produced.
CONVENTIONAL EGGS
Conventional eggs don’t have the most nutritional benefits or ethical eggs available. Hens that lay conventional eggs are housed inside climate-controlled barns in stacked rows of conventional cages (battery cages). Inside of the cages, birds are given continual access to water and food. However, each bird is only given a small amount of space to live in, approximately the size of a piece of paper. Not to mention, that these chickens’ diet is poor quality feed that often contains added antibiotics and hormones. So, if you are what you eat. Well, you get the idea. Conventional eggs are not the best option to buy.
CAGE-FREE EGGS
Put simply, cage-free means the eggs come from hens that aren’t caged. These hens can, according to the USDA, “freely roam a building, room, or enclosed area with unlimited access to food and fresh water during their production cycle.” This way of raising cage-free hens isn’t always the most ideal. Conditions on cage-free farms can be miserable. Cage-free facilities may have overcrowded barns and poultry houses that don’t give hens enough room to forage for plants and insects. A new egg label, “barn-roaming,” may better describe those from hens confined to barns. However, considering that conventional cages are about the size of a piece of paper. It’s for sure a step in the right direction from conventionally raised hens.
FREE-RANGE EGGS
Lines can get blurred when it comes to free range eggs label. This is because organic eggs must be free-range eggs, but free-range eggs aren’t necessarily organic, as they do not need to be fed organic feed. The USDA only requires that free-range eggs come from chickens that have some access to a small fenced outdoor pasture. Since the term simply implies that chickens have access to the outdoors, not all farmers actually let their free-range hens roam freely in a free-range area.
Likewise, those who sell eggs with the label “vegetarian,” “antibiotic-free,” or “all-natural” don’t need to follow the same strict rules and regulations as the organic label does. Nobody really checks up on these farmers!
PASTURE-RAISED EGGS
Pasture-raised is a term that also isn’t regulated by the USDA. They are similar to free-range in that the hens have access to the outdoors. However, if the egg cartons say “Pasture-raised” or include stamps that say “Certified Humane” and/or “Animal Welfare Approved”. It means that each hen was given 108 square feet of outdoor space, as well as barn space indoors. It can be a more humane way of raising hens. BUT, given that it isn’t regulated by the USDA, farmers can get away with more shady behavior.
ORGANIC EGGS
Under the USDA standards, organic eggs must come from chickens that are fed only organic feed free of animal by-products such as synthetic fertilizers, pesticides or chemical additives. These chickens must not be given any antibiotics or hormones either.
Organic eggs must be laid by 100% free-range, cage-free chickens, and also be able to freely have outdoor access. Even if their outdoor area is a small pen or enclosed yard area, they must always have access to an outdoor area. Chickens laying organic eggs must also have a natural molting process. Molting is when birds shed their older feathers to make room for new ones. However, this process is sometimes induced in commercial egg and chicken production by withholding food or water, as this prolongs the productive life of laying chickens. Overall, organically raised hens offer the highest potential standard of animal welfare, making them the gold standard.
Organic eggs are also the most nutritional egg option available. Since the hens are fed high quality feed and live better lives, they produce fresher eggs that contain more nutrients. In fact, you can see the nutritional difference between a conventional and organic egg simply by comparing their egg yolks. Organic eggs will almost always have a a richer, orange color that will taste so much fresher than conventional eggs.
Lastly, choosing organic eggs is better for the environment, as organic farming practices focus on reducing pollution, and conserving water and other resources. If and when possible, choose local farm fresh organic eggs. Choosing local is the most environmentally friendly option. When you choose local eggs, you’ll be helping to support farmers in your area who need your support!
IS THE PRICE WORTH IT?
I believe this is an important question! As a mom of 5, the cost of food, and with our main breakfast source is eggs. Is the price of organic eggs worth it? While organic eggs may be more expensive, sometimes double the cost of conventional eggs, you do get more bang for your buck. Organic eggs cost more due to the extra expenses involved in meeting organic standards but they’re more nutritious than other egg options, as the chickens are fed quality feed and live in less stressful environments. So for your health, your taste buds, and for ethical reasons, I would choose organic eggs from local farmers when possible.
If you need another breakfast option that doesn’t involve eggs to cut down on the food budge try this recipe.
XO
Shirlene RN BSN
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