Eggs

Key numbers

Nutrient density

82/100

Per calorie, across the whole database

Typical price

$4.29

per dozen · organic +63%

Servings a week

4.5

Per person, at typical purchase volume

What to look at instead

Pesticide residue monitoring does not apply to eggs the way it does to fresh produce. These are the measures that actually decide the purchase.

Protein per serving

12.6 g

Two large eggs

Cost per 10 g protein

$0.57

Conventional, at the price above

Label that changes the product

Pasture-raised

Organic controls the feed; pasture-raised controls the hen’s access to outdoors. They are different claims.

Cholesterol

372 mg

Dietary cholesterol has a much smaller effect on blood cholesterol than saturated fat for most people.

Nutrition

Per 2 large (100 g).

• Complete protein 12.6 g
• Choline 55% DV
• Selenium 45% DV

Buying and storing

• ◆"Organic" on an egg carton means the hens were fed certified organic feed and had outdoor access. It says nothing about yolk colour, omega-3 content, or freshness — those track feed composition and time since laying.
• ◆The float test is a freshness check, not a safety check: an egg that stands on end is old but usually still fine cooked through.

Common questions