Why Eva Mendes Eats An Egg Every Single Day

Actress Eva Mendes, who is known for her roles in "Hitch" and "Training Day" and being a pescatarian, spoke with Shape about her diet, including what she has for breakfast every day. Like many other Americans, she prefers eggs to be part of her first meal of the day — every day — but perhaps not for the reason you might think. "I think they're magic — you can do so much with them," said Mendes (via Self). 

She is definitely right about the "magic" part. Eggs are perhaps one of the most adaptable ingredients in the culinary world. Also, depending on the recipe, eggs can be enjoyed hot or cold and can be used in both sweet and savory preparations, which opens up an even wider variety of potential. When you consider nutritional properties, eggs become even more impressive. As Mendes pointed out, the versatility of eggs is the reason why they truly shine. Despite their potential to be more complex, Mendes keeps breakfast simple and usually enjoys her eggs scrambled with a slice of Ezekiel toast. 

It's widely known that eggs are high in protein. But they also contain all the essential amino acids that our bodies need, fuel our muscles, are rich in vitamins and minerals, and can even support brain, eye, and heart health, according to WebMD. This is yet another part of the "magic" that Eva Mendes referenced. 

For preparation styles and uses in recipes, the possibilities seem endless. To keep it simple, you can boil eggs (soft, medium, or hard); fry them sunny-side up, over easy, over medium, or over hard; scramble them (soft or hard); and baste or poach them. Eggs are highlighted in recipes like deviled eggs, frittatas, and quiches. To satisfy your sweet tooth, use eggs in desserts like lemon curd or crème brûlée. If you don't want to feature eggs in your cooking, they're still good to have on hand, as they help bind together meatloaf and meatballs. Similarly, you can whip egg yolks into creamy homemade mayonnaise or whip the whites into a delicious meringue. 

You can do so much with eggs, so we completely understand Eva Mendes' obsession with and dedication to this humble ingredient.