True story: I thought I disliked eggs until I moved into my own apartment and had to start cooking for myself when I was 20. As a kid I’d eat the whites when my mom made sunny side up, but the yolks totally grossed me out.  Years of sweet breakfast habits had caused me to ignore omelets as an option in favor of things like oatmeal, yogurt parfaits, and waffles.

photo by Jason Hamlin

Sometimes I wonder if I’d have been happier if I’d eaten less sugar in my teens and early twenties. This is a nerdy thing to ponder, but considering the dietary connections between food and mood, it’s totally valid to think a little more healthy fat and a little less frozen yogurt might have upped my quality of life. Then again, ages 16 to 23 are probably a big black hole of “OMG—So many FEELINGS!” no matter what’re you’re eating, so who knows? At least perhaps I’d have been better equipped to handle said feelings.

(Side note: I can’t say the word “equipped” without giggling, remembering a certain boy’s code for “Do you have a condom?” I’m glad nice things happened for him after we drifted apart—he was one of the few good ones.)

Anyway, back to the task at hand: dinner. I was so hopeless in the kitchen when I moved into my first place that I don’t even want to talk about some of the disasters that resulted. One of the early successes, though, was noodle soup, with microwaved frozen veggies mixed in and a fried egg on top. Another was a scrambled egg in a whole wheat wrap with—yep—microwaved frozen veggies on the side.

Since then, I’ve branched out to include poached eggs, omelets, frittatas, and hard boiled eggs. Oh, and fresh vegetables. I’ve even learned how to make some of these in the microwave because sometimes I am still 19 when it comes to relying on the microwave to help me nourish myself. Here are just a few of the many reasons to enjoy eggs for dinner:

1.) They’re a complete protein. Each egg contains all the essential amino acids you need to help keep you satisfied and strong.

2.) They’re high in lots of important nutrients, such as: Vitamin A, Vitamin B6, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Omega-3 Fatty Acids, Choline, Selenium, Lutein, and Zeaxanthin.

3.) 1 egg= Instant portion control.

4.) They’re incredibly versatile. The possibilities are basically endless. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Frittata
• Egg “pizza”
• Egg White Scambles
• Poached on top of almost anything, especially if this anything involves lots of vegetables and goat cheese.
• In or on oatmeal. Or grits. Or pasta. Or…

5.) Eggs also happen to be pretty inexpensive.

Do you eat eggs? What’s your favorite way to enjoy them?