Nutritional Facts: Pasture-Raised Eggs
A pasture-raised egg has been laid by a chicken that has access to the outdoors where it can range freely, eating any of the grass, weeds, bugs or worms it finds.
A pasture-raised egg has been laid by a chicken that has access to the outdoors where it can range freely, eating any of the grass, weeds, bugs or worms it finds. This type of environment provides a more humane living condition for the chicken and may produce a healthier egg for the consumer, according to Mother Earth News. Knowing the nutrition information for a pasture-raised egg can help you determine its place in your healthy diet plan.
Calories
One whole large, 50 g, pasture-raised egg contains 70 calories, according to the website the Daily Burn. A pasture-raised egg contains the same amount of calories as a regular egg.
Fat
The fat content of the pasture-raised egg is not any lower when comparing the nutrition labels of the pasture-raised egg to the regular egg, and appears higher in cholesterol. One large pasture-raised egg contains 4.5 g of total fat, 1.5 g of saturated fat and 215 mg of cholesterol, compared to the regular egg with 4.5 g of total fat, 1.6 g of saturated fat and 185 mg of cholesterol. However, an independent nutritional analysis study conducted by Mother Earth News in 2007 comparing the nutritional components of the pasture-raised eggs from 14 different flocks, found that pasture-raised eggs were lower in saturated fat and cholesterol when compared to the regular USDA egg.
Protein and Carbohydrates
Eggs are low in carbohydrates and a good source of protein. One large pasture-raised egg contains 6 g of protein and 1 g of carbohydrate. The protein in the egg is a high-quality source of protein, providing your body with all of the essential amino acids it needs to build the proteins found in your body.
Sodium
Although the egg is low in sodium, it does contain a small amount. One large egg contains 65 mg of sodium, meeting less than 3 percent of your daily value. Limiting your daily sodium intake to less than 2,300 mg a day may reduce your risk of developing high blood pressure.
Vitamins and Minerals
Based on the nutrition information from the Daily Burn website, one large pasture-raised egg meets 6 percent of your daily value for vitamin A, 2 percent of your daily value for calcium and 4 percent of your daily value for iron. However, according to Mother Earth News, pasture-raised eggs are a better source of vitamin A, with a large 50 g egg meeting 8 percent of your daily value. Vitamin A is an essential nutrient needed for immune health, eye sight and normal growth and development. Nutrition information for calcium and iron in the Mother Earth News study not provided.