Posted May 18, 2009 by Marta Holmberg
It’s been a while since we’ve had Kelli the nurse bestow her infinite wisdom on you, and we know you’re itchin’ for more. Check out what she has to say (though, of course, we’re just giving you this info to be nice—we’re not trying to replace your doctor or nutritionist! If you need medical, dietary or other professional advice, of course go see a qualified specialist who can advise on your individual needs), then let us know your favorite way to replace eggs (straight-up or when baking). I love tofu quiche (I’m fancy)!
-Marta
“Are eggs really chicken periods?”
For a straightforward question like this one, I say we skip the small talk and jump right into some (poorly) hand-drawn diagrams!
So, a human “period” is an unfertilized reproductive cycle and the eggs at the grocery store are unfertilized reproductive cycles. I’ll let you decide if eggs are “chicken periods,” but don’t get grossed out now! When you really think about it, our bodies and chickens’ bodies do some pretty awesome things. It’s reassuring to know that our bodies are working fulltime whether we are studying hard or on summer vacation. It’s the egg industry that should gross you out with their lazy practices.
Practically all of the hens who lay eggs to be eaten in our country have their claws and beaks cruelly sliced off and are never given the chance to spread their wings. Hens undergo these conditions their entire lives. These practices leave hens mutilated, stressed, and more prone to become infected with salmonella … which they pass on in their eggs to humans.
Many people decide not to eat eggs for cruelty reasons and many more decide not to eat eggs because they are loaded with artery-clogging cholesterol and saturated fat (70 percent of the calories in one egg is from pure fat!). Eggs are wonderful for nourishing a baby chick for a few days, but all of that fat can lead to heart problems in humans.
Besides, we don’t need eggs in this day and age. Grocery stores sell egg-free substitutes for eggs used in baking recipes. Sometimes you can even just replace an egg in a recipe with half a mashed banana or a few spoonfuls of applesauce. You can even try grilling up some black bean burgers held together by tomato paste mixed with your favorite seasonings for a kick. And when it comes to taste, tofu scramble beats scrambled eggs any day. It just takes a little interior decorating in the refrigerator to finds new ways to be healthy and cruelty-free.
-Kelli
Kelli Ellis is a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing who is currently working on her Master’s at Penn State University while working at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.
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peta2 Street Team Coordinator + lover of vegan food, cats, animal rights, Dawson's Creek, and Harry Potter.
Too long to explain here, it's long enough for a novel.
Father loves to farm, be self sustainable, loves to read, he's a antiques/vintage auctioneer, art student, and looks like mr. Rogers. My mother is a Montessori teacher and is amazing with children, all about local organic foods, loves gardening, cooking etc. my sister who is nine years older than me was into indie music and introduced me to all sorts of things at a young age. This all rubbed of on me and from that base I grew into similar things. I'm an INFJ
I'm tall, a geek, nacho - obsessed, I love sewing and Cath Kidston, also I'm vegetarian (wannabe vegan.)
Jersey girl now I'm all country.
I love animals about as much as rock, heavy metal, tea, and coffee. Hoping to make a difference and help animals through PETA!!!
Life On A Tour Bus
I am Angela. When I am not helping animals I am listening to music, reading, or playing video games. My spirit animal is a fox and I love nature. What else is there to know? Want to know anything about me, need advice or anything message me :)
Well let's just say life ain't always beautiful but it's a beautiful ride. I love all my pets and would do anything for them. I have one dog, two cats, a ferret and my babygirl shaymin,(the cutest hedgehog alive) I'm into all different kinds of music. I'm a singer myself and love art.
33 days ago
0
thank god i have never even liked eggs
450 days ago
1
That’s why we buy our eggs at farmers market, local feed stores from farmers we meet and their chickens are allowed to roam free, eat REAL bugs like chickens are designed to(not vegetarian food)and the TASTE and COLOR are so different. They are fresher and dark golden color. If you like eggs, buy organic from a local farmer instead. forget old vegetarian fed hen eggs from cruelly cooped chickens sold at stores/
837 days ago
0
Well I’ve always known this, and some people think it’s disgusting. Yet, I can’t help what I think tastes delicious.
1117 days ago
1
the other day i was like mom are eggs chicken periods she said ya. and i was just thinking the same thing..eting eggs from a store is like buying used tampons and eating them
1123 days ago
0
Ewww! its actually sick : just as well i dont like eggs, and dont eat them
lol.
1153 days ago
1
luckily we have chickens in our backyard so we inspect the eggs and the chickens are treated fairly
1355 days ago
1
My family and I haven’t eaten egg or chicken for that matter ever since we heard of how they were treated. My children were so sad they almost cried when they heard about the claws and beaks being removed. We love scrambled tofu, it’s healthier and more delicious!
1461 days ago
1
This def. makes me wanna go vegan. thank you peta2!
1462 days ago
1
this proves again how we are all animals and need to treat each other with respect! why don’t people understand this?!
1463 days ago
1
What a simple and nice way to have explained this whole thing. Thank you
Oh and the diagrams are super-cute!
1463 days ago
0
ew, that’s disgusting. that’s why i can’t eat boiled eggs anymore. I’m not vegan, because i still eat some dairy products, but this has put me off scrambled/boiled egg for life!
1463 days ago
1
I used to like eggs…. but learning this made me not like them. haha
I’m not a vegetarian, or a vegan, but information about them interests me, because I’m not allowed to be a veg-head. Parents….
1463 days ago
1
aww…cute pix. i have to say tho, eggs are kind of gross when you think about it.
1464 days ago
1
I say this constantly. Eating an egg is the equivelant of eating a used tampon. GROSS.
1464 days ago
1
I used to eat both tofu scramble and egg back in the day when I wasn’t vegan, and liked the taste of tofu better… it’s ridiculously easy.