An eggcellent way to beat the winter blues

in: Assurance ‹ back to Media Centre

Feelings of wellbeing linked to nutrients found in eggs

With shorter days and colder nights upon us, many Australians will start to feel the affects of Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), such as depression, weight gain and carbohydrate cravings.

While it’s easy to curl up on the couch and indulge in too much comfort food, new research has shown the simplest way to combat the winter blues and maintain a sunny outlook is via a diet high in ‘mood nutrients’ along with a regular dose of sunshine.

‘Mood nutrients’ such as folate, iron, protein, omega-3s and vitamin D have been shown to
positively affect a person’s mood and help alleviate the signs of depression1.
As one of nature’s superfoods containing at least 11 vitamins and minerals, eggs are an excellent way to maintain good nutrition and provide your body with a range of important nutrients that may help improve your mood and keep your immune system strong during the colder winter months.

One serve (two x60g) eggs can contribute the following ‘mood nutrients’ to the diet:

NUTRIENTS % RDI* OTHER ROLES OF THESE NUTRIENTS
Protein 25% Building and development of body enzymes, tissues and muscles
Iron 14% Carrying oxygen around the bloodstream, required for growth and energy production. Iron deficiency can result in fatigue and reduced performance.
Vitamin D 8% Enhances the absorption of calcium and helps to maintain a healthy immune system. (Eggs are one of the only natural food sources of Vitamin D)
Folate 49% Growth and maintenance of healthy cells and red blood cell production
Long chain Omega-3 71-127% AI** Helps to keep your heart healthy


*Recommended dietary intake
**Adequate intake

“Since eggs are one of the only natural food sources of vitamin D and contain a number of other vitamins and minerals important for a healthy immune system, they may be a useful addition to the diet during winter months, not only to avoid the winter blues but also to help improve immunity,”said Sharon Natoli, Accredited Practising Dietitian and Founding Director of Food & Nutrition
Australia.

So stay positive this winter and be sure to eat your eggs. Try the delicious Quick Egg Pasta
Primavera (recipe on next page) or visit www.eggs.org.au for more egg-inspired ideas to keep you going all winter long.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For further information or images contact:

Madeline Greenberg or Kirilly Smith
Porter Novelli Ltd

On behalf of the Australian Egg Corporation Ltd

Phone: 02 8424 8500

Email: mgreenberg@porternovelli.com.au

 

Jacqueline Baptista

Communications Manager
Australian Egg Corporation Ltd

 Phone: 02 9409 6909
 Email: jacqueline@aecl.org


1 Lin, P. Y et al J Clin Psychiatry 68, 1056-61 (2007); Gilbody, S. et al J Epidemiol Community Health 61, 631-7 (2007);Vahdat Shariatpanaahi, M et al. Eur J Clin Nutr 61, 532-5 (2007); Hoogendijk WJ et al Arch Gen Psychiatry 65(5): 508-12 (2008 May).

MEDIA RELEASE
28 May 2008

Quick Egg Pasta Primavera
Serves 4

Ingredients
400g spiral pasta
4 large eggs, beaten
1 bunch broccolini, sliced
1 cup frozen peas
2 tsp finely grated lemon rind
50g baby English spinach leaves
1/4 cup grated Parmesan

Method
Cook the pasta in a large pan of boiling water until tender. Meanwhile, place the broccolini into a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Stand for 3 minutes, then drain. Blanch the peas in another bowl of boiling water.

Drain the pasta and return to the pan. Add the combined eggs and lemon rind, and stir so the hot pasta cooks the eggs. Add the spinach leaves, broccolini and peas; toss
to combine and wilt the spinach.

Serve in shallow pasta bowls, sprinkled with Parmesan and freshly ground black pepper.

NUTRITION ANALYSIS
% DI for protein = 58% per serve

Nutrient %RDI / Serve
Folate  122
Iron  37
Vitamin A  26

 

Nutrition information per 360g serve

Energy 2050KJ
Protein 29g
Fat 9g
Saturated Fat 3g
Carbohydrate 73g
Sugars 2g
Dietary fibre 12g
Sodium 190mg