Findings from the Healthy Diet Score report indicate that Australians are consuming 5.7 eggs per week – almost an egg a day.

The Healthy Diet Score report summarises results from over 86,500 adults who have completed the scientifically validated online survey CSIRO Healthy Diet Score. The survey assesses an individual’s self-reported food intake against the Australian Dietary Guidelines.

According to the Australian Dietary Guidelines, there do not appear to be any increased health risks associated with consumption of eggs. There is recent evidence to suggest that consumption of eggs every day is not associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease.

For good health, the Guidelines recommend daily inclusion of foods from the protein group, including eggs. Two large eggs (120g) provide one serve of protein.

The new research showed that Australians under 35 are eating the most eggs, with consumers over 60 eating far fewer. This indicates the potential for older Australians in particular to include more eggs in their daily diet, which could assist in meeting their daily nutritional requirements.

Professor Manny Noakes, BSc, Dip Nut&Diet, PhD, Research Director for Nutrition and Health at CSIRO, believes the research supports that eggs are OK every day.

“We all need to eat fewer junk foods and add more wholefoods to our diets for overall better health. Our research showed that higher egg consumption was associated with a higher diet quality score. Eggs are an extremely nutritious wholefood – a great choice in a healthy and balanced daily diet.”