Why it’s More Eco-friendly to Bake Without Eggs

substitute for eggs
One kilo of eggs (approximately 40 eggs) causes 4.8 kilos of greenhouse gases to be released into the air.

You might think that baking your own goods instead of buying them from the store is more eco-friendly, but it’s actually not if you’re using eggs. Here’s why.

Egg Production Requires Land

In a Livestock Science report, researchers compared the environmental impacts from meat, milk and eggs. They found that beef uses the highest amount of land, but chicken and eggs require the same amount: one kilogram of chicken protein and one kilogram of egg protein (approximately 10 dozen eggs) require between 35 and 48 square metres of land.

Eggs Violate Animal Rights

By raising chickens in order to take their eggs, we’re exploiting them for our own needs, which is wrong even if they are treated well. Besides, we can never be completely sure that the chickens are treated well and have space to run. The term “free range”, for instance, can be misleading. It basically means that hens can leave their warehouses but this doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re basking in the sunshine and lying on grass – it might just be an outdoor lot to which they have access.

Eggs Are Bad For Global Warming

One kilo of eggs (approximately 40 eggs) causes 4.8 kilos of greenhouse gases to be released into the air. This doesn’t seem like a lot, but it definitely adds up when you take into account that in 2011, the world average consumption of eggs per person was 8 kilos, but last year it was approximately 9 kilos. Egg consumption is on the rise.

Egg Substitutes When Baking

You don’t have to rely so much on using eggs when making your own cakes and desserts. There are really easy alternatives that are healthier for you and the planet, and they’re also great if you’re vegan. These include:

  • Applesauce. Choose the unsweetened variety and use a quarter-cup to replace one egg in recipes.
  • Bananas. Yes, these potassium-rich fruits are a great alternative to eggs! You only need a quarter-cup of mashed bananas to replace one egg. Of course, you’ll get a slight banana flavour, so bear that in mind when baking. Goods like pancakes or cookies will work well with banana, while others might not.
  • Flax seeds. Get these delicious seeds the next time you’re in the mood to bake. One tablespoon of ground flaxseeds should be mixed with three tablespoons of water to give it a gooey consistency to replace one egg. Flaxseeds tend to give your baked goods a slight nutty flavour so use it where you think this taste will work.
  • Avocado. A quarter-cup of mashed avo will replace one egg. To hide the avo flavour, use it in baked goods that have a strong taste, such as dark chocolate cake.
  • Oil, baking powder and water. You’ll need one teaspoon of vegetable oil, two teaspoons of baking powder and two tablespoons of water. Whisk them together and you’re sorted.

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