Eggs, Ethics, and a Few Great Recipes

June 3 was National Egg Day so in honor of the almighty egg, I’m resharing a few of my favorite recipes: Scotch eggs and a brussels sprout hash, both made with vegan “sausage”; a plant-based hollandaise sauce and a full-on French version with egg yolks and butter; and a lovely, eggless tomato quiche. But first … a few thoughts about eggs—of course if you’re just here for the recipes, scroll on down : )

If laying eggs is natural, why don’t vegans eat them?

I’ve heard a lot of debate over whether or not vegans should allow eggs into their diet. Some say absolutely not because allowing even the occasional egg into one’s diet does not coincide with the ethical platform so many vegans bark about. But, hens producing eggs is a natural thing … it doesn’t harm the chicken … and if left unfertilized the eggs are just that. Eggs.

“Free range” doesn’t mean that the hens are humanely raised

The USDA defines “free range” eggs as those “produced by hens housed in a building, room, or area that allows for unlimited access to food, water, and continuous access to the outdoors during their laying cycle.”

Bear in mind, “access” means nothing. It only means that they can go outside … and in most cases, any images of hens flocking around a lush grassy area isn’t exactly what’s provided. Which is why we should only eat PASTURE-RAISED eggs.

Are eggs from local producers better?

It’s nice to think (at least for the sake of this article) that those who do eat eggs are choosing to purchase from local farmers … however …

The USDA defines locally-produced eggs as those “originating from a source flock(s) located less than 400 miles from the processing facility or within the state in which the eggs originated from and were processed in.”

But I’m not getting on the “local” soapbox today so back to the whole “should vegans allow eggs into their diet or not,” … choosing to adhere to a vegan diet means you also adhere to the lifestyle—you don’t eat anything derived from an animal, anything with a face … and you don’t wear leather, etc. But what about those who follow a plant-based diet?

Eggs are a healthy part of a plant-based diet

Following a plant-based diet means your meals are just that, plant based … so 75ish percent of what you eat comes from plants. Hence, the “based” part. So, from a definition standpoint, yes, it seems like eggs are a fine choice, and a healthy choice.

What about the carbon footprint?

A few years ago, I stopped eating eggs because I thought it was the right thing to do. You know, the whole carbon footprint thing, CO2 emissions, etc. But, as it turns out … everything has a carbon footprint, and the things people use as substitutes for eggs in their cooking just might be worse for the environment.

So … should vegans eat eggs?

Eh, I don’t know the answer to that, but I do know that people need to stop being so all-or-nothing and do what works for them. If you follow a vegan diet for ethical reasons and health reasons but find your body needs eggs, well, then eat an egg. Be a flexitarian. Because whether you choose to follow a 100 percent vegan diet or follow a plant-based diet, pasture-raised eggs are a pretty damn good thing to flex your mouth muscles around (ohhh, that sounded bad).

Thoughts? Let’s start a discussion … I’d love to hear what you think.