Egg & Orange Diet

A diet that restricts any major food group is unhealthy, according to registered dietitian Rachel Harris, of the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, New York. A diet consisting only of eggs and oranges is not nutritionally balanced, and would be deficient in vitamins and minerals you would otherwise be getting from a balanced diet consisting of whole grains, low-fat protein (such as dairy and lean meats), vegetables, legumes, nuts and heart healthy oils.

Health Benefits

• Eggs and oranges are nutrient dense foods, which means they have substantial amounts of vitamins and minerals in proportion to their size. They are highly available, affordable and make excellent additions to most diets.

  Eggs are considered an excellent source of protein and Vitamin D. Despite beliefs that an egg's yolk is unhealthy and high in saturated fat, the yolk is actually where most of its nutrients are contained. One egg has about 6 grams of protein, 70 calories and 5 grams of fat (which includes higher amounts of heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats than the unhealthy saturated fat).

  Oranges are one of the most nutritious fruits available. They will provide you with energy due to their abundance in natural sugars, help aid in digestion due to their high fiber content and can also help lower your chances of heart disease, stroke and and cancer.

Oranges in Moderation

• When adding these foods to your diet it's important to do so in moderation. The USDA recommends adults consume 1½ to 2 cups of fruit a day. One serving of fruit could be an 8 ounce glass of 100 percent orange juice or one medium-sized orange. While it is fine to eat an orange or drink one glass of orange juice daily, make sure not to overlook the many other nutritious and delicious fruits that are available and contain other essential nutrients. Also be weary that oranges are highly acidic fruits, which may cause gastronomical problems or heartburn in some people when eaten in excess.

Eggs in Moderation

• Eggs should be consumed the same way as oranges--in moderation and per recommendation of the USDA's new food pyramid. Eggs are included among the meat, beans, poultry and nut group, which allows for 5 ounces of these foods per day. While you could opt to get all of the servings of this group just from eggs, it would be beneficial for your overall health to eat one or two servings of eggs in addition to nutritious foods like fish and nuts.

  Limiting eggs to about one or two servings per day--one serving is equal to about two medium sizes eggs--is the most sensible choice for your diet. In fact, starting the day with a protein-packed breakfast like eggs will actually help to keep you feeling fuller longer, which may help you to eat less throughout the day--and possibly lose weight.