2016 Cracking the Egg Potential During Pregnancy and Lactation

It should not be surprising that a simple egg, which provides a chicken embryo nutritive support from conception to the time it hatches, might also be an important food to support fetal growth and development during pregnancy. Eggs have great potential to improve nutrition among vulnerable populations living in resource-poor settings. They provide a nearly complete source of protein and are also an important source of essential fatty acids, choline, vitamins A and B12, selenium, and other critical nutrients. At the same time, compared to other animal-source foods, they cost less and are available and valued as a food in virtually all parts of the world.