Cholesterol in Egg – Are eggs "good" or "bad" for cholesterol?

Published April 21, 2009 | By Lisa Nelson, RD

To lower cholesterol, it’s frequently recommended to limit egg intake, specifically the egg yolk. Egg yolks are a concentrated source of cholesterol, while egg whites contain primarily protein. However, while dietary cholesterol can impact cholesterol levels within the body, saturated fat actually has a greater impact on LDL cholesterol levels.

A 1999 study found little impact of consuming one egg daily on blood cholesterol levels. It’s currently recommended, for individuals with normal cholesterol levels, to limit dietary cholesterol intake to 300 mg or less daily. Cholesterol in egg – One egg contains 210 mg of cholesterol within the egg yolk. If you have high LDL cholesterol, the current recommendations are to limit dietary cholesterol to 200 mg or less per day.

If you enjoy eggs, there are alternatives, such as replacing the egg yolks with more egg whites or using products, such as Egg Beaters, which provide an excellent source of protein minus the cholesterol.

All the best,
Lisa Nelson RD
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