89: Should You Stop Eating Egg Whites?
In my widely-read article about how I cured my IBS symptoms, I recommended against eating eggs in the early stages of gut healing. And I got plenty of pushback for that recommendation. I understand why. Eggs are hailed as nature’s perfect superfood,...
In my widely-read article about how I cured my IBS symptoms, I recommended against eating eggs in the early stages of gut healing. And I got plenty of pushback for that recommendation. I understand why. Eggs are hailed as nature’s perfect superfood, have been a dietary staple for centuries, and their nutrient-packed yolks truly are nutritional powerhouses.
But not all parts of the egg are created equal, and the whites might be secretly sabotaging your digestion.
In this episode, I break down the real differences between egg yolks and whites, explaining why those trendy egg-white omelets are basically plates full of nutritional trash. I also explain why some of the proteins in egg whites can trigger gut issues — especially if you’re prone to IBS or bloating — and share practical advice on choosing and preparing eggs to optimize digestion and nutrient absorption.
Plus, I’ll give you the inside scoop from our own experience raising chickens on our homestead. You’ll learn why pasture-raised hens that are fed a true omnivore diet produce eggs with superior nutrient density, and how cooking your eggs the right way can make all the difference for your health.
If you’ve ever struggled with digestive issues after enjoying eggs, this episode could crack open the solution you’ve been looking for.
Learn more:
Why Pasture-Raised Eggs Are Healthier Than Free Range, Organic and Conventional Eggs: https://michaelkummer.com/pastured-eggs-benefits/
How much work is it to maintain backyard chickens?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7RX34wQYc4&t=12s
Health Benefits Of Eggs And Avocados: https://michaelkummer.com/eggs-avocados/
Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, Peluva!
Peluva makes minimalist shoes to support optimal foot, back and joint health. I started wearing Peluvas several months ago, and I haven’t worn regular shoes since. I encourage you to consider trading your sneakers or training shoes for a pair of Peluvas, and then watch the health of your feet and lower back improve while reducing your risk of injury.
To learn more about why I love Peluva barefoot shoes, check out my in-depth review: https://michaelkummer.com/health/peluva-review/
And use code MICHAEL to get 10% off your first pair: https://michaelkummer.com/go/peluva
In this episode:
00:00 - Intro: Are eggs really a superfood?
00:47 - Egg yolks vs egg whites
01:37 - How egg whites can affect gut health
03:50 - How to prepare eggs for maximum benefits
04:41 - How to choose high-quality eggs
05:40 - Final thoughts on eating eggs
Find me on social media for more health and wellness content:
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Website: https://michaelkummer.com/
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Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/mkummer82
[Medical Disclaimer]
The information shared on this video is for educational purposes only, is not a substitute for the advice of medical doctors or registered dietitians (which I am not) and should not be used to prevent, diagnose, or treat any condition. Consult with a physician before starting a fitness regimen, adding supplements to your diet, or making other changes that may affect your medications, treatment plan, or overall health.
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#Eggs #SuperFood #AnimalBasedDiet #PrimalShift
Should You Stop Eating Egg Whites?
Michael Kummer: Are eggs really the perfect superfood or could they actually be causing your gut dishes? And I'm asking this in the context of some of my irritable bowel syndrome content, where I recommend avoiding eggs in the beginning and people freak out because eggs are a superfood. Um, there is nothing wrong with consuming eggs.
Why are you saying this? So here's the thing. We've been raising chickens in our homestead. For eggs and meat for years, and today I'm going to crack open the truth about eggs, yolks, whites, and everything in between. Welcome to the Primer Chef Podcast. You know, eggs are often called nature's perfect food, but as someone who's passionate about nutrition optimizing health, I've learned there is a lot more to X than meets the eye.
So let's dive into what makes eggs so special and what you might want to watch out for. Think about it, this little egg contains everything A chick needs to grow and thrive. In fact, after the chick catches, it can sustain itself for up to three days on the egg yolk and nothing else. That's unbelievable. You know, and that's because those eggs and specifically yolk.
They're packed with nutrients, and it's no wonder that eggs have been a dietary staple for centuries. But here's the thing, not all parts of the egg are created equal. So let's talk about the yolk versus the white. The yolk is where the magic happens. It's the nutritional powerhouse loaded with fat, sober vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K, along with healthy and essential fatty acids.
The egg white. It's mostly water and proteins, and here is where some people run into trouble. Egg whites are designed to cushion the chick and protect it, not to fuel it. In other words, the egg white is a waste product. The. That has zero nutritional value to the chick. They contain proteins or the egg whites contain proteins like advan, which can bind to biotin and prevent its absorption and other compounds that can irritate your gut, especially if you have IBS or other digestive issues.
And that's why my recommendation avoid eggs in the beginning, um, stemmed from. And so it tickles me whenever I see egg white omelets on menus in restaurants, or I overhear people ordering them. They're basically ordering an omelet made of, made out of trash. I. Unbelievable. But people for some reason think that's where the protein is.
In fact, the egg yolk has much more protein than the white, but that's a different story. Now, I've tested this myself and heard from others who've done the same. When people cut out egg whites, especially undercooked ones, they often notice less bloating and better digestion, and that's because undercooked whites can be harder to digest.
Those antinutrients are still active.
Thank you to this episode’s sponsor, Peluva!
Peluva makes minimalist shoes to support optimal foot, back and joint health. I started wearing Peluvas several months ago, and I haven’t worn regular shoes since. I encourage you to consider trading your sneakers or training shoes for a pair of Peluvas, and then watch the health of your feet and lower back improve while reducing your risk of injury.
To learn more about why I love Peluva barefoot shoes, check out my in-depth review: https://michaelkummer.com/health/peluva-review/
And use code MICHAEL to get 10% off your first pair: https://michaelkummer.com/go/peluva
So here are my tips for preparing eggs. Number one, prioritize soft yolks To get the most out of your yolks, cook them gently, either soft scrambled or better yet. Over easy with soft yolks are perfect.
Why? Because overcooking, the yolks oxidizes some of the polyunsaturated fatty acids like Omega-3, making them less beneficial and potentially even inflammatory. So soft yolks and. Try to number two, either fully cook or completely skip the whites. And if you've got issues, you might want to fully cook the whites or just skip them altogether.
There is nothing in those whites that you really need because by cooking them, it helps, uh, denature some of those potentially problematic, uh, proteins. Better yet, just remove them and eat the yolks. Only if you like the taste. Number three, choose quality eggs. You know, of course not all eggs are created equal.
Look for pasteurized eggs from healthy hands. Like the ones we raise in our homestead, they are richer in nutrients, including omega threes and vitamins, then conventional eggs. Now here's a pro tip. If you go to the store and you look for pasture raised eggs and you see. On the carton that it says, hence raised on a vegetarian diet, you know that those animals were fed a shitty diet because chickens are not vegetarian.
They're insect wars, they're insect leaning omnivores, and they thrive on animal protein. So if you can avoid eggs, which is I think almost impossible for eggs from the supermarket, uh, that were fed. Exclusively a vegetarian diet because it does not reflect the ideal diet for chickens. So to wrap it up, our eggs, superfoods, absolutely.
If you know how to prepare and enjoy them properly, focus on the yolk. Be mindful of the whites and choose quality eggs. If you've ever struggled with gut issues, eggs might be worth experimenting with. Start by cutting out the whites and see how you feel. Now if you're watching this on a platform that supports comments, let me know your comments below.
I'd love to hear do you eat the yolks, the whites, or both? And if you enjoyed this video in this episode, hit that like button. Subscribe for more content on nutrition, healthy living. Until next time, and remember, what you eat matters. Knowing the details can make the difference in how you feel. Make sure to check out the rest of my Primary Shift podcast episodes for more insights, and join me here next week for another deep dive into health and nutrition.
Next time on the Primal Shift podcast, we're diving into the classic parenting struggle. Your kid says they're not hungry, ah, but wants dessert five minutes later. Is it hunger or just cravings? We unpack it all. Plus why forcing kids to clean their plates might do more harm than good. You won't wanna miss this one.