Eggs are a great source of protein for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band patients. They provide high-quality protein and a nearly negligible amount of carbohydrates. This is ideal for those trying to meet their protein goals while not exceeding their daily carbohydrate limit to promote weight loss following bariatric surgery.
Eggs do keep for a long period of time, especially compared to other protein sources such as chicken, beef, pork, and even cheese. But they don’t keep forever. How can you tell if an egg is expired? Read on for a few simples ways to tell.
- Check the expiration date- This seems like an easy one, but it isn’t as simple as it seems. Other shoppers sometimes move eggs around to create their perfect dozen, so you can’t always count on your eggs being exactly as the package states. Also, just because an egg is past its “best by” date doesn’t necessarily mean it will get you sick, though its cooking properties may be altered. Use some other tests below to confirm if the egg is ok to eat.
- They smell- Seems pretty self-explanatory- if they have a foul odor before or after you crack the shell don’t eat them. Don’t confuse this with the sulfur smell of a hard-boiled egg. A foul odor indicating a bad egg would be present before the egg is cooked.
- Looking at it- You can often tell if an egg is ready to toss by looking at it. If the shell is cracked, you should not eat it. Cracked shells can be contaminated with bacteria. If you see a powdery substance on the shell, you should throw it out. This powder can be a sign of mold. If you crack an egg and it has an unusual color (pink, iridescent, or greenish) it’s best to throw it out. Again, don’t confuse the greenish color of a raw egg with the green that can surround a cooked yolk of a hard-boiled egg (this is harmless). A spot of blood is ok, you can remove it if you like.
- Float test- You can check the age (but not necessarily the safety) of an egg by floating it in a glass or bowl of water. Fresh eggs will sink, old eggs will stand on its end or float.
Cooked eggs can be a great source of protein for gastric sleeve, gastric bypass, and lap band patients. They can be eaten for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or snacks in a variety of ways (see some egg recipes offered by Dr. Shillingford here). For more information about weight loss after bariatric surgery, schedule your free informational session with Dr. Shillingford, MD today by calling (561) 483-8840.
