As New Year’s quickly becomes a distant memory for many people, resolutions typically fall by the wayside. Ambitious goals like getting organized and exercising every day of the week may have faded as old habits set back in. The Colorado Egg Producers (CEP) Association reminds Coloradans that eating healthy doesn’t have to be tough resolution to keep. When thinking about healthy eating, most people focus on foods such as fruit, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins, but what about eggs? As a powerhouse of nutrition that is often overlooked, one egg provides the 13 essential nutrients and high quality protein required to help you achieve and maintain weight loss goals year round.

“Adding eggs to your diet is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to maintain a healthy lifestyle,” said Terry Tormohlen, a Colorado egg farmer and CEP member. “The nutrients in eggs provide vitamins and minerals that supply energy for physical activity, as well as the quality protein necessary for muscle development after a workout. Additionally, buying eggs locally produced by CEP members ensures that you and your family are enjoying a safe and wholesome product. We encourage you to continue to support your Colorado egg farmers and buy local.”

Eggs are packed with an abundance of nutrients. One egg has 13 essential vitamins and minerals, high-quality protein including all nine essential amino acids, as well as healthy unsaturated fats. At a mere 75 calories each, eggs will fit seamlessly into any healthy diet. 

Below is a list of twelve ways eggs can help you to lose weight and feel better for the rest of 2013 courtesy of thinkegg.com and the American Egg Board.

As part of a new health regimen eggs will…

1. Give you energy. Just one egg contains the essential daily vitamins and minerals riboflavin, pantothenic acid and phosphorus. All three help to produce energy in the cells of the body so you have the stamina to get active.
2. Keep your bones strong. Eggs contain vitamin D and calcium, vitamins essential to the strength and maintenance of bone health.
3. Protect your heart. Studies indicate that eating one or more eggs a day, as part of a well balanced diet, has little effect on blood cholesterol levels or the risk of heart disease. In fact, the choline in eggs helps break down homocysteine, an amino acid that may be associated with an increased risk of heart disease. 
4. Keep you looking and feeling healthy. Eggs contain the vitamins selenium and vitamin A, which protect against some chronic disease and support the growth and function of the immune system. Staying healthy means staying active.
5. Keep you motivated. The yolk of an egg contains 23 percent of your daily value of choline, essential to brain function and health. If your heads not in the right place, getting motivated to work out could pose a challenge.
6. Help you maximize nutrition. The egg has a high nutrient density because it provides a wide range of nutrients in proportion to its calorie count (about 75 calories per large egg). Nutrient-dense foods help you get the nutrients you need without excess calories.
7. Make you feel fuller for longer. The high-quality protein in eggs helps you to feel full longer and stay energized, which contributes to maintaining a healthy weight. In fact, research shows that eggs eaten at the start of the day can reduce daily calorie intake, prevent snacking between meals and keep you satisfied for longer.
8. Increase your metabolism. Choline, the egg super-nutrient, is responsible for the normal functioning of all cells, including those involved with metabolism. 
9. Help you build muscle. Research indicates that high-quality protein may help active adults build muscle strength and middle-aged and aging adults prevent muscle loss. Consuming eggs following exercise is a great way to get the most benefits from exercise by encouraging muscle tissue repair and growth.
10. Help you go longer, stronger. An egg contains 5 percent of your daily value of iron, a nutrient that plays an important role in red blood cell production and oxygen transport. An iron deficient person will tire more easily as their body is starved for oxygen.
11. Increase your heart health. Unsaturated fats are important to any diet. An egg contains 1.9 grams monounsaturated and 0.68 grams polyunsaturated fat. Intake of these unsaturated “heart healthy” fats has been shown to help lower cholesterol levels, particularly when consumed in place of saturated fat.
12. Help you succeed! Not only are eggs nutritious, they are delicious, and with hundreds of recipes for great tasting dishes there is no reason you can’t enjoy eggs every day. For recipe ideas visit www.coloradoeggproducers.com/recipes.

CEP is a membership organization representing seven farms throughout the state. CEP is committed to doing what’s right for its community, as illustrated by the regular donation of thousands of eggs to food banks throughout Colorado. Local egg farmers take great pride in providing eggs to Coloradans. We are also proud to offer consumers the choice between cage, cage-free eggs, organic, nutrient enhanced, brown and white eggs. You can find locally produced, fresh, wholesome and safe eggs in the dairy case of your favorite Colorado supermarkets.

For more facts and information about eggs and CEP, including a list of where to buy Colorado eggs, please visit www.coloradoeggproducers.com. Engage with CEP and find tasty recipes on our Facebook page at facebook.com/coeggproducers.