What Eggs to buy, and why

Let’s talk about eggs.

I’m here to help you make a more informed decision when purchasing eggs. My good friend and functional holistic nutritionist, Calista (found on instagram as @nourishwithcalista), made an entire highlight all about eggs and their labels. I learned so much from her and felt a moral obligation and responsibility to share this information.

I’m linking her website: Nourish with Calista since she’s amazing and specializes in hormone and gut support!

I’ve decided to make this a question and answer format so it’s easier to see and understand.

1. What do the labels mean that you see at the grocery store?

Cage Free USDA regulated: This means the hens don’t live in cages. Cages are often the size 8 1/2 x 11 (the size of a piece of paper!!!) So they don’t live in cages, but they have no access to the outdoors. They get no sunlight or fresh air, and live in a small structure that encourages hen on hen violence.

Free Range USDA regulated: This means the hens have access to the outdoors. It does NOT mean they actually go outdoors. It simply is saying that whatever it lives in (a concrete structure or shed) HAS a door that the farmer could open allowing them access to the outdoors. There are ZERO guarantees that this happens. Not so free-range after all, huh?

Pasture Raised: This means hens live predominately outdoors, on a pasture. They also have access to the indoors for shelter! Hens living their pasture raised lives have 108 square feet (outside and inside the barn) per hen! This is great! Please note, pasture raised eggs are not USDA regulated. I say (and so does Calista!) who cares!? They allow the torture of Cage Free and Free Range! If you’re choosing Pasture Raised (like me!), you want to make sure there are 2 important labels/stamps on the eggs: 1. Certified Humane and 2. Animal Wildlife Approved. Why you ask? These stamps means that a 3rd party visited the farm and gave their stamp of approval that the hens are outdoors, munching on the earth, looking healthy, basking in the sunlight and are clearly being treated humanely.

2. Does Pasture Raised mean they are exclusively eating grass and worms?

It’s very hard to raise hens to produce eggs for the masses on just what the earth has to offer. It is likely they are being supplemented with feed.

3. What is better, Organic or Pasture Raised?

The organic label means the feed is organic corn, soy and wheat which is better than the conventional feed that could be GMO and sprayed with glyphosate. Glyphosate is the main chemical component in Round-up. We have no idea how and where they lived.

4. What are hens often fed if it’s not organic feed?

Hens are sometimes fed feather meal and chicken litter. This is product of factory farming!

* Chicken litter = feces and urine from chickens combined with spilled feed, feathers and bedding materials like wood shavings or sawdust.

* Feather Meal = byproduct of processing poultry; it is made from poultry feathers by partially grinding them under elevated heat and pressure, and then grinding and drying

Does anyone else think it’s absolutely horrifying not to mention disgusting feeding these animals parts of themselves?

5. What does the label Vegetarian fed mean?

This usually means they are eating corn, soy and wheat. This could mean it is grown conventionally with pesticides. This label does not tell us anything about how the hen was raised. Were they in cages? Are they seeing the sunlight? Getting fresh air? I sure am glad they aren’t eating other chicken byproducts, but I’m not okay with not knowing how they live.

6. What is the ideal egg to choose?

Pasture- Raised, Organic. These two labels are the best together! You know this means the hens are outside, on the land, getting fresh air, eating grass and bugs in addition to feed that is organic.

7. What are some brands of pasture raised organic eggs?

Here are two brands that I really like Vital Farms & Handsome Brook Farms

Side note, but did you know that that egg you are eating could only end up as a baby chick if it’s fertilized? Eggs, much like humans, don’t get pregnant unless they get down with their opposite sex. The hen can’t make a baby chick without the help of the rooster. I’m sharing this because as a vegetarian, there is much debate over eggs. I personally find comfort in knowing that if I put that unfertilized egg in an incubator it would not grow into a baby chick.

Lastly, in case you were wondering, A hen is an adult female chicken. The term chicken is the general term for the bird (can be male or female).