Do you eat eggs? Or do you choose egg substitutes?

Eggs have omega-3 fatty acids in their yolks, but can often be considered a health concern. They have high cholesterol and fat content and are often linked to an increase in Type 2 diabetes. That's why many people are opting for egg substitutes -- and there are a variety of options.

Some egg substitutes are made from the egg white only. They omit the yolk and yet add vitamins and minerals including vegetable-based emulsifiers and thickeners like guar gum.

There are also ways to create your own egg substitutes. Two tablespoons of cornstarch may be equivalent to one egg as are two tablespoons of arrowroot flour or two tablespoons of potato starch. In cake recipes, one banana can be substituted for one egg.

Another idea is an egg substitute recipe, which includes one tablespoon of nonfat dry milk powder, two egg whites from large eggs and four drops of yellow food color. After you sprinkle powdered milk over egg whites, beat them until they're smooth. Add food color and beat until blended. This will create one-fourth cup, equivalent to one large egg.

That's Fit can answer all of your nutrition questions --whether they're about foods or supplements.

Eggs are rich in protein, nutritional powerhouses and considered superfood. While relatively high in cholesterol (about 212 mg in a hard-boiled egg), in moderation, they won't do any harm. In fact, research has shown that eating up to seven eggs in a week doesn't increase your risk for heart disease.

A hard-boiled egg is a convenient and energy-boosting snack. But how many calories are in a hard-boiled egg?

Eat a bagel for breakfast or opt for eggs and toast and you'll consume about the same amount of calories: 350. Specifically, that's one bagel with two tablespoons of cream cheese and a three-ounce serving of yogurt or two scrambled eggs and two slices of toast with jelly. Pretty Even Steven, huh? Yep. But one breakfast is better for fighting the flab.

Dieters in one study who ate eggs and toast five days per week for eight weeks lost two pounds more than bagel-eaters. Egg-eaters had a 61 percent greater reduction in BMI and took off an extra half inch from their waists, without raising their cholesterol. Their energy was higher too.

What gives? The egg protein, probably, and the yolks' mix of fats too. The combination seems better at reducing hunger throughout the day. But only when combined with a weight-loss plan. Eating eggs while not otherwise cutting back will not do the trick.

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I just think Paula Deen is the best. She's sweet, funny and the epitome of southern charm. It's a rare day that Paula claims any of her recipes are light and healthy -- after all, butter is The Lady's favorite ingredient. But I'm OK with that. I've tried a few of her recipes, and so far they've all been yummy; they just need to be served in small portions and paired with very light and nutritious sides.

But Paula really takes the cake with her recipe for Brunch Burgers. Or should I say she takes the doughnut? She makes a basic burger and tops it with bacon and a fried egg. It's a little non-traditional, but I can get on board with that. In fact, it might be quite tasty. But then she pulls out glazed doughnuts and uses them in lieu of a hamburger bun. I swear to the Gods of Food Network, my arteries started to clog just watching her do that.

If you're a fan of burgers, try some of these healthier burger recipes.

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Is weight loss on your list of New Year's resolutions? Try one of these three foods to tip the scales in your favor.

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Happy holidays, everyone!

We all know the benefits of breakfast -- it can help you control weight by managing your hunger, it improves focus, and it can give you the energy boost you need to get moving. But what if you're just not a morning person? The idea of pulling together a balanced breakfast when you can barely keep your eyes open isn't exactly realistic, is it?

Cranky Fitness has a great post about how those of us who are much more like slugs than chipper birds in the morning can still get our healthy morning meal. Some of the tips:

• Make a batch of steel cut oats ahead of time, then just warm it in the microwave. Add some low-fat milk and some sliced bananas to sweeten it up.
• Hard boil a few eggs and keep them in your fridge for quick access.
• Fresh fruit is about the simplest and quickest breakfast you can have -- just grab and go.

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Eggs have been the subject of a couple studies lately, and the reviews are mixed. First, there was a study telling us that eating eggs for breakfast can aid in weight loss. Now a new study states that eating eggs can raise your risk of type II diabetes. Nothing like a little bit of bad news with the good, huh?

In the more recent study, researchers reviewed data on both men and women for many years (20 years for the men, 12 years for the women). During the follow up period, more than 4,000 participants developed type II diabetes. It was found that the development of type II diabetes was more likely in those who frequently ate eggs. For example, men who ate one or fewer eggs per week were 9 percent more likely to develop the condition; men who ate more than seven eggs per week were 58 percent more likely to develop type II diabetes.

So which is it? Do you eat eggs more frequently in hopes that they will help you lose weight? Or do you avoid them for fear that they'll contribute to your diabetes risk? Like most things, it's best to enjoy eggs in moderation. Maybe they do aid in weight loss -- but so do lots of other healthful foods.

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Fancy a big, heaping serving of salt on your breakfast plate? Yuck. I don't know about you, but the thought turns my stomach. However, recent studies show that many of us are getting our half and sometimes even a full day's worth of salt in our first meal of the day. What's even more alarming about this statistic is that this is true even for those of us who make our own breakfast at home.

I think everyone accepts that a big breakfast of bacon, eggs and hash browns is a salty way to start the day but apparently, many seemingly inauspicious items are also high in salt -- things like Starbucks skinny muffins, as well as many pastries and croissants. Even some toast toppings have more sodium than bacon! Consider this -- a Skinny Blueberry Muffin from Starbucks has 2400 mg of sodium, while a slice of bacon has a mere 303mg.

Do your heart a favor: Check the labels and do what you can to make sure you're not getting too much sodium in the AM -- or any time of day. The daily RDI of sodium here in North America is 2300 mg.

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Hey, have you heard about the importance of a good breakfast? OK, I jest, because we all know that a healthy start to our day is one of the most important things we can do for ourselves. From helping keep us slim to supplying our bodies with enough energy to tackle our busy day, a good breakfast does it all.

Tough to find time for a good breakfast, sometimes, isn't it? What if you could have a solution for a balanced breakfast that is full of nutrition, easy on the pocketbook (about 50 cents each) and a snap to prepare? If that sounds appealing, then you'll want to try this recipe for all-in-one breakfast muffins.

Loaded with protein like eggs, ham, and cheese, these muffins will stick to your ribs so you won't crave the sugary snacks come mid-morning. Plus, scallions and peppers add veggie nutrients.

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If you missed our daily postings this past week, we invite you to take some time to catch up on our prior week's news and gear up for a new week of healthy living information and inspiration.

The Japanese have gone bananas over the new Morning Banana Diet, while PETA has just plain gone bananas, suggesting that we all start eating breast milk ice cream.

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Have a great week, everyone!

One would think that celebrity chef Nigella Lawson would have no trouble coming up with healthy, low-cal meals to help her hubby shed some pounds. But her significant other, Charles Saatchi, decided to lose weight the monotonous way -- by eating the same thing day in and day out. For every single meal. His food of choice? Eggs.

According to reports out of the UK, Saatchi ate eggs for every meal, three eggs per meal. That works out to nine eggs a day. As for results? He's lost an impressive 56 lbs on the diet.

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The eggs have it. What exactly do they have? The power to peel away pounds, that's what.

Poached, scrambled, or sunny-side up, eggs are a do-good diet food. We know this because people in one study on a low-calorie weight loss plan who ate two scrambled eggs with unbuttered toast -- jelly was permitted -- for breakfast lost 65 percent more weight than dieters who ate a bagel with cream cheese.

Here's the point: Eggs are filling, which keeps us satisfied longer, which keeps us from snacking later in the day. Here's the caution: This study featured a low-calorie diet, and this means eating eggs for breakfast works ony if you're watching what and how much you eat for the rest of the day.

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Want to drop a few pounds? Here's what you need: Protein and fiber. Both keep you feeling fuller longer, which means you're less likely to snack and more likely to maintain your weight. Enter these six Super Foods -- quinoa, pomegranate, Goji berries, almond butter, eggs, and green tea.

Take a peek at this AOL News video and learn more about these super six -- you'll also discover that one of these foods is a great substitute for rice, one contains more beta carotene than carrots, and one has been used for medicinal purposes for 2,000 years.

What foods do you find super enough to fight flab?

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As adults living in a fast-paced world, we may be a little lax in assuring we eat a balanced breakfast every morning. Sure, a granola bar or a banana on-the-run may not be the end of the world, but even though those things may have some nutrition to them, they are not balanced breakfasts.

One thing we don't want to do is pass this tradition on to our kids. Today's lifestyle demands a lot from these little people too, and a balanced breakfast will give them a good start to tackle the world, one day at a time.

Dr. Sears, one of the most down-to-earth famous pediatricians out there, has some ideas about balanced breakfasts for kids. Complex carbohydrates and protein should both be present, so he suggests to think whole grains plus dairy plus fruit.

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