Omelet: benefit and harm to the body

Perhaps it is rarely possible to meet a person who has never tasted an egg dish. Omelet was presented to the world by French culinary specialists, who received it by mixing eggs and milk.

What is an omelet

Today, an omelet is called the finished result of preparing mixed or beaten eggs. The classic version of the dish is prepared in a pan with an open lid with the addition of butter. It is fried on both sides. The dish is rolled up; before serving, you can add the filling inside.

A modern omelet recipe also includes milk. For the finished dish, splendor is important, which is achieved by frying with the lid closed or baking in the oven.

Types of Omelettes

As ingredients for omelet take eggs, egg powder or melange, as well as milk (15 g per egg) and a pinch of salt. The components are thoroughly mixed. Ready to cook egg mass has a slightly foamed surface.

There are several types of omelets:

1. Natural. To cook it, use a cast-iron frying pan, and the mass itself at the end of frying is bent at the edges.
2. Mixed. It differs in the stage of mixing the ingredients - the filling is added to the liquid egg mass (vegetables, meat, mushrooms, cheese), and then cooked by analogy with a natural omelet. To make an omelet with cheese, add cheese chips to the egg mass before pouring into the pan.
3. Stuffed. Such a dish can be prepared with a vegetable or meat side dish. Stuffing (stewed vegetables, finely chopped meat, liver or minced meat) is prepared in advance. An important point of this stage is the presence of sauce (sour cream is often used). The stuffing mixture is laid out in the middle of the egg mass, slightly thickened in the pan, and its edges are bent inwards on both sides.
4. Sweet. Sweet omelet is prepared with sugar, grated lemon and spices. This dish is a type of stuffed omelet. For the filling, berries, jam, marmalade, jam are suitable. Powdered sugar is used to decorate the finished dish.
5. Baked. The omelette mass is first thoroughly beaten, and then baked in the oven, heated to 180 ° C. This method is often used to prepare a large number of servings. You can also bake omelet with side dishes (potatoes, cereals, meat, vegetables).
6. Drachena - A separate dish, similar in preparation to an omelet. The difference is only in composition - flour and sour cream are also added to eggs and milk. Most often, drachana is cooked in the oven.

What is the difference between omelet and fried eggs

The main difference between omelettes and fried eggs is the use of liquid (water, milk or cream). Also, when preparing an omelet, the egg mixture is mixed, while it is important for the fried egg to maintain the integrity of the yolk.

There are a few more differences. For example, when cooking scrambled eggs, eggs are most often broken directly into a pan, and for an omelet, you must first mix the ingredients in a separate container. In addition, for the omelet, splendor is important, therefore it is mainly prepared with the lid closed, unlike scrambled eggs. The last dish is never sweet, and the omelet can be cooked as a dessert.

Composition and calorie content

The approximate calorie content of omelet is 184 kcal / 100 g, but there may be slight deviations from this value depending on the method of preparation. The ratio of protein / fat / carbohydrate per serving of 100 g is 8.3 / 7.9 / 2.9.

Omelettes for good reason are a very popular dish.The composition is rich in choline, vitamins A, B, and D, trace elements such as fluorine, iodine, chlorine, iron, copper, sulfur. The ratio of nutrients characteristic of omelet helps to strengthen and maintain the elasticity of joints and ligaments, ensures normal conductivity of nerve fibers, and also improves the motility of the stomach and intestines.

Why omelet is useful

General benefit

This dish is rich in protein, so it promotes muscle growth. People who lead an active lifestyle or whose work is associated with increased physical activity, it is recommended to include omelettes in the daily diet.

The composition of the dish, thanks to the combination of vitamins A, B and E, ensures the strengthening of the skin and the production of elastin and collagen, nourishes the retina. Thanks to milk, if it is part of an omelet, phosphorus and calcium, which are important for strengthening bones, heart walls, as well as hair and nails, enter and are easily absorbed. Free radicals in combination with the minerals that make up the omelet prevent premature aging and positively affect all metabolic processes in the body.

Important! Only fresh eggs should be eaten. Before breaking the shells, it is advisable to wash them thoroughly to prevent harmful microorganisms from entering the finished dish.

For women

Vitamins A and E as part of an omelet strengthen the health of a woman. These substances not only normalize the functioning of the ovaries, but also make the hair and nails strong, and the skin elastic.

For men

It’s good for men to eat omelettes as a source of protein. Its large amount in the dish allows you to build muscle mass, while not experiencing a lack of mineral components.

During pregnancy

If a woman does not suffer from food allergies to eggs, she can safely include an omelet in her diet. Proteins and vitamins, which are important for the normal development of the fetus, are easily absorbed from the omelet. In addition, the dish contains choline, which is an important component that affects the development of the nervous system of the embryo. The only caveat - pregnant women should not eat a fatty omelet. Milk can be replaced with water with a few drops of vegetable oil, preferably olive.

When breastfeeding

Feeding an omelette to a nursing mother is not worth it in the first three months of the child's life. This can contribute to the formation of an allergy in the baby, and also carries an additional burden on the infant's unformed digestive system. After 12 weeks from the date of birth, you can begin to introduce eggs into your diet. It is important to do this gradually in order to track the reaction of the child. It’s better to start with eggs from the diet category. They are marked with an “D” mark on the shell and undergo a more thorough check before delivery to stores.

For kids

Children are advised to add omelettes to their diet starting at the age of 1.5. Earlier experiments can negatively affect the digestive process and cause indigestion. In addition, eggs are a fairly allergenic product, so it is important to monitor the reaction of the baby's skin after a meal. It is preferable for children of preschool and early school age to cook steamed omelets or bake in the oven. This allows you to cook a delicate and lush dish, as well as preserve the maximum nutrients in the product.

Is it possible to eat an omelet with weight loss

It is noteworthy that even in the most stringent diets, omelets are present. The rich vitamin and mineral composition of this dish allows you to maintain a normal level of nutrients in the body in conditions of nutritional deficiency. To help you lose weight while eating omelettes, and not vice versa, you should avoid meat supplements and frying with vegetable fats.

The most dietary is considered omelet based on some proteins. Naturally, a steamed dish will bring more benefits to the body than fried.

Omelet in medicine

Like any product, omelettes should be used deliberately, taking into account the characteristics of the body, food tolerance, as well as contraindications for various diseases.

With diabetes

With such an ailment, diet omelet is useful and even recommended for use. This dish will serve as a source of protein, in addition, it contains an acceptable percentage of carbohydrates.

Important: omelette glycemic index - 50 units.

With pancreatitis

Since fried foods stimulate the secretion of digestive enzymes, pancreatitis is allowed to eat only omelet steamed or in a slow cooker. You should also modify the classic recipe, replacing milk with water.

With an exacerbation of the disease, the yolks must be excluded from the omelet, since they contribute to aggravation of pain. The norm of eggs for pancreatitis is two per day. You can use not only chicken, but also quail, goose, turkey and duck eggs.

With gastritis

During periods of exacerbation of the disease, an omelet steamed with the addition of water can serve as a real salvation. It envelops the mucous membrane of the stomach and helps to reduce inflamed foci. With an ailment in a particularly acute form, you can cook an omelet on proteins.

For constipation

Problems with intestinal patency and its peristalsis can be aggravated if you eat fried omelet. Also, dishes stuffed with meat and vegetables can complicate the process of defecation, so they should be excluded from the diet. Steam diet omelets are allowed.

With gout

Gout is an ailment in which diet is crucial. Omelets are allowed, but the serving size per day should be limited to 75 grams. The use of dietary or protein omelettes is also recommended to be included in this norm.

With colitis

The diet to be followed with colitis should be aimed not only at eliminating all products that irritate the intestines, but also at observing the nutritional value of dishes. Boiled, raw or fried eggs with colitis are strictly prohibited. But steam omelette cooked on water is not only allowed, but also recommended to be included in the diet. It is important to comply with the norm - 2 eggs per day.

With hemorrhoids

Exacerbation of hemorrhoids entails the need for strict dietary restrictions. In such periods, it is better to abandon omelets. In moderate periods of the course of the disease, omelets are allowed in which there is no yolk.

With cholecystitis

Cholecystitis requires the patient to eat foods containing as little cholesterol as possible. Therefore, omelets are worth only protein. It is allowed to eat ½ – 1 yolk per day, which is a component of casseroles or cutlets.

Harm and contraindications

If there is no allergy to eggs, only fried omelet can cause potential harm to the body. Yolks contain a minimal amount of cholesterol, which can show its slight negative effect only when consumed in large quantities. The more oil and vegetable fats used to make an omelet, the less nutritional value the finished dish will have.

People who are prone to allergic reactions can observe manifestations of food allergies when they eat this dish excessively.

How to cook an omelet: recipes

The recipe for this dish is quite simple. Omelet can be prepared in many ways, while the maximum nutritional value is preserved using the steam method.

In the pan

A classic omelet is cooked in a pan. It is important to use fresh room temperature eggs.

To prepare one serving of a nutritious dish, you will need two eggs, 50 ml of milk, spices, salt to taste and a little vegetable oil.

First of all, you need to heat the pan, then grease it with oil and pour in a mixture of eggs with milk and spices, which is pre-mixed or whipped. After 3 minutes of cooking over medium heat, transfer it to a minimum level, cover the mass with a lid and simmer for another three minutes. The omelet is slightly hard. If desired, you can turn the egg pancake and fry on the other side for several minutes. Sprinkle the finished dish with herbs.

In the oven

The splendor of the omelet cooked in the oven depends on the proportions of eggs and milk. 50 ml of milk is usually taken per egg.

To prepare an omelet in the oven, break 10 eggs in a bowl with milk (500 ml), salt. Mix the mass without whipping. Lubricate the baking dish with high sides with butter and fill it with egg mass so that 1/3 of the edges of the mold remain unfilled. Bake for 30 minutes at 200 ° C. The first 20 minutes do not open the oven, as the omelet can settle.

For a couple

Steamed omelet is on most diets. This dish is prepared for children and people suffering from diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Steam omelette maximally retains all the nutrients of eggs and milk, and is also a low-calorie dish, which is prepared as follows.

Pour the prepared egg mass into molds and send to a double boiler or place on a metal colander dipped in a saucepan filled with 1/3 of boiling water. Water should not touch omelet forms. The approximate cooking time is 15 minutes. Milk can be replaced with sour cream mixed with cold water (30 g of each product for 2 eggs).

In the microwave

By mixing eggs with milk according to the classic recipe, you can cook an omelet in the microwave. To do this, it is better to use a deep container so that the rising mass does not come into contact with the walls of the microwave oven.

In a slow cooker

Mixed eggs with milk, salt and add spices. To lubricate the multicooker bowl, a small amount of oil is required. To prepare a lush dish, you can beat the whites separately, and then pour them into the total capacity. Set the “Baking” mode on the appliance with a cooking time of 20 minutes. After this period, turn off all modes, including heating, and let the omelette stand for 5-10 minutes with the lid closed.

Omelet without milk

If you want to cook an omelet, but there is no milk, you can replace it with water in a smaller amount. In this case, more thorough mixing of the mixture will be required. You can also add a few teaspoons of semolina, it will add density to the egg mixture. Milk can be replaced with cream or sour cream mixed with water in a 1: 1 ratio. The main thing is that the amount of liquid component per 1 egg is 50 ml.

Shelf life of cooked omelet

The finished dish is not subject to long-term storage. Although it can be frozen and then warmed up if necessary, in this case, the taste will be lost. Cooked omelet can be taken on the road, provided that it is placed in a sealed container. However, note that the maximum shelf life of an omelet is 12 hours. In the refrigerator, you can store the finished dish for 3 days, provided that it is located on the shelf for perishable products.

Shelf life of egg mass
The mass prepared for the omelet is not subject to long-term storage. It should be used for cooking for several hours.

Is it possible to eat an omelet every day

Eggs are a fairly allergenic product, so eating one omelet is not worth it. The daily norm of omelet per person is 200 grams. You can reduce the risks of overeating this dish using only proteins for cooking.

Photo omelet