Eggs have gone from bad to good for your diet

Eggs have long been associated with high cholesterol, but it seems they've been getting a rotten deal.

After years of being told to limit the number of eggs we eat, the Heart Foundation's relaxing its advice.

They're high in protein and vitamins, but also have a high cholesterol content, leading to mixed health messages.

Dietary advice has become a bit scrambled, particularly for those with heart disease, like Nikki Tod.

"I am cautious about eating too many eggs because traditionally it's been drummed in, don't eat too many eggs."

She says she sometimes craves eggs and has an omelette, then feels guilty.

For something so small they've caused quite a controversy, once being labelled as bad for your health as smoking, but the science has changed and now so has the advice.

"We now know that it's the saturated fat content of our diet that is more likely to increase our cholesterol levels, rather than the dietary cholesterol" says Heart Foundation National Nutrition Advisor, Angela Berrill.

So after a review of the research, the Heart Foundation is doubling its recommended weekly limit from three, to half a dozen.

"The Heart Foundation is now recommending that those at risk of heart disease can eat up to six eggs per week."

"There are probably more important things to focus on from a heart health perspective rather than focusing on restricting eggs."

For the general population there's no defined limit, they're protein and vitamin rich and nutrient dense, and can be eaten as part of a healthy diet.

Nikki Tod says it'll help her make cheap, quick and healthy dinners.

"We're told so much about not to eat this and not to eat that and this is a great thing that we can now eat more of, and not feel guilty."

A move that'll be welcomed by the egg industry, and is cracking news for egg lovers.