The “Cage-Free Eggs” Scam

Making healthy eating choices can be tough, especially with all the choices available at local markets nowadays. Knowing how important food is to your health, it’s often worth spending a little bit more to get higher-quality food. However, if you’re buying cage-free eggs, you could be wasting your money—find out why.

Are You Spending Money on Cage-Free Eggs?

Lots of people think cage-free eggs are worth the extra few dollars per dozen, but in reality, grocery stores are preying on your desire to do right by your health.

Those who spend money on cage-free eggs often believe that the hens used for laying eggs are allowed to roam free while getting their optimal nutrition and enjoying the freedom they need to lay eggs in a stress-free environment. The result should be a more nutrient-filled egg.

Why They Aren’t Worth the Extra Money

Though it sounds good, “cage-free” doesn’t actually mean anything. Hens in this environment may not live in the typical, tiny cages that characterize factory farms, but they also don’t have the space they need to roam freely. In a cage-free environment, hens may still have very little space.

Furthermore, hens that lay cage-free eggs may still be given GMO feed. If you care about your health, you want to avoid chickens that have been fed GMO feed. The effects of genetically modified feed can be long-lasting.

Overuse of antibiotics has been linked to many health problems. Since the term “cage-free” is not regulated, chickens raised in a cage-free environment may still be given antibiotics, which of course, get into your eggs and chicken meat.

The Best Bang for Your Buck

If cage-free eggs aren’t worth the extra you’re spending, then what is? The good news is that the alternatives often cost about the same as cage-free eggs, so your budget shouldn’t be affected by a switch.

Free-range or organic eggs are what you want to buy. These chickens are not fed GMO feed and they aren’t given antibiotics. Hens have plenty of outdoor space to roam and relax. When hens can lay eggs on their own schedule, you enjoy eggs that are superior in terms of taste and nutrition.

You’ll know when you start buying eggs that are from happy, well-fed hens. These eggs should have deep yellow or orange yolks, thick shells, and a very rich taste. They are definitely worth paying extra for.

Making good choices with regards to your family’s food intake is one of the best things you can do for your health. Use this information to make an educated choice with your eggs. Whether you get your eggs from a local farmer or the grocery store, you can get more nutrients and taste by buying organic or free-range eggs.

Sources:

http://althealthworks.com/3714/six-reasons-why-you-shouldnt-waste-your-money-on-cage-free-eggs/

http://theweek.com/articles/491510/freerange-eggs-safer-waste-money

http://www.dailyfinance.com/2014/05/12/organic-eggs-did-you-know-savings-experiment/

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Nicole Penguin

Nicole Penguin is a creative and professional writer. Her interests include health, songwriting and food in no particular order. Penguin lives in Canada, but is certainly not a fan of extreme weather. She loves a good book and cute babies, and she hates wearing socks at home.