Eggs are a versatile, great source of quality lean protein that can be enjoyed on all Phases of the South Beach Diet®. Whether you like them scrambled for breakfast, devilled for a satisfying snack, or made into a delicious frittata for a simple weeknight meal, if you're following the South Beach Diet® lifestyle, chances are you're buying a fair amount of eggs. When shopping for eggs, you've no doubt

FEATURED SPONSOR

noticed that there are many options to choose from, like brown eggs, white eggs, and different sizes of eggs. Here, we'll crack any confusion you may have regarding eggs.

Shell color: What's the difference between brown and white eggs? Interestingly, the difference in shell color has nothing to do with the quality of the egg. The color of the eggshell depends on the breed of the hen. Some hens lay white eggs and others lay brown ones. There is no difference in nutritional value or taste. The price of brown eggs tends to be higher only because the hens that lay these eggs are larger and require more food.

Yolk color: Why are some egg yolks darker than others? These color differences depend on the type of feed given to the hen. While hens given wheat-based feed tend to produce eggs with lighter yellow yolks, those given corn-based feed tend to produce eggs with darker yellow yolks. Fortunately, the color of the yolk does not affect the flavor or nutritional value. The yolk is the most nutritious part of the egg — it contains respectable amounts of vitamins A, C, and E, as well as some plant chemicals known to improve eye health.

Size: Eggs come in many sizes, from small to jumbo. Generally, recipes call for large eggs, so it's good to have these on hand. That said, even though they're labeled "large," they don't seem big. If you like to eat hard-boiled or devilled eggs, you might prefer extra-large or jumbo eggs for a slightly heartier nibble.

Grade: Grading is an indicator of egg quality and freshness, though only eggs graded A and AA are sold for consumption. There's not much difference between grade A and AA eggs, so don't worry about which one you choose. Instead, consider the storage conditions (eggs should be refrigerated) and the sell-by date, and open the carton to examine the eggs and make sure that none of their shells are cracked.