"I heave heard at some point that eggs were high in cholesterol and weren't good for you and then that they weren't and were okay to eat and I'm not sure what the final line is."

It's something we've all heard: to protect your heart, lay off eggs. The yolks are high in cholesterol, and too much cholesterol in our bodies is bad for us. So avoiding eggs seems like a no-brainer, right? Well, not egg-zactly.

Several long-term studies, which together followed hundreds of thousands of people, have found that eating up to six eggs a week does not appear harmful for healthy people.

So how can this be? It turns out that saturated and trans fats in food have a much greater impact on most people's blood cholesterol levels than cholesterol itself. And eggs are relatively low in saturated fat and have no trans fat.

What's more, when cholesterol from foods like eggs or shrimp does affect our bodies, it may raise hdl—the good cholesterol—along with the bad. This helps offset any increased risk of heart disease.

Eggs are a good source of protein and several vitamins and minerals. They can be a healthful alternative to donuts, muffins, and sugary cereals and keep you feeling full longer.

Still, people with diabetes may want to go easy on eggs. Some research suggests that eating more than several a week may increase their risk of heart disease.

If you eat lots of eggs, it's probably a good idea to replace some of the yolks with egg whites or use egg substitute.

For most of us, the biggest problem with eggs is what accompanies them. Skip the high-fat cheese in your omelet, and go for fruit instead of bacon or sausage on the side. With the right choices, there is such a thing as a healthy egg breakfast - and that's no yolk.