But there’s a lot more going on under that shell that you might realize. This guide will explain everything you need to know about how eggs can be part of a healthy, balanced diet.

White Versus Brown Eggs Time to put the idea to bed that brown eggs are better. The color of an eggshell varies depending on the breed of chicken that laid it. There is no measurable nutritional difference between white and brown eggs (or any other color).Pasteurized Eggs These are eggs that have been treated to destroy salmonella. You can buy these in their shell (it will say “pasteurized” on the carton) or as a liquid pasteurized egg product. You’d want to use these if you’re making a dish that uses undercooked eggs, such as homemade Caesar dressing.Cage-Free Eggs This language signifies that the hens that laid these eggs have access to an open area or can move about a barn or poultry house.Free-Range and Pasture-Fed Eggs These phrases mean the chickens that laid the eggs had access to the outdoors.Organic Eggs Certified organic eggs can only come from hens that are raised under specific conditions. They must be uncaged and able to roam around freely indoors and out. They also eat feed free of conventional pesticides and fertilizers, in accordance with the USDA’s National Organic Program.Natural Eggs All eggs are natural — they have nothing added to them.

ScrambledHard-boiledFriedOmelets and frittatasPoached