US Egg Shortage Sparks Protein Panic: Dietitians Reveal Top Breakfast Swaps
A national egg shortage is impacting the U.S., driven by bird flu outbreaks and increased consumer demand, leading to higher prices and empty shelves. Experts suggest high-protein breakfast alternatives like Greek yogurt, protein powder, tofu, and chia seeds to compensate for the reduced availability of eggs.:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Health-GettyImages-1211619296-356577ffd8fb4c92b5ef9154064fa728.jpg)
The United States is currently experiencing a significant national egg shortage, primarily due to the devastating impact of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu. This virus has led to the loss of approximately 40 million laying hens in the U.S., according to Marc Dresner, director of communications at the American Egg Board. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has been tracking outbreaks, noting over 18 million birds affected in December and an additional eight million in January alone. This substantial reduction in supply, coupled with a consistent increase in demand—with retail egg sales up year-over-year for 21 consecutive months, amplified by the winter holiday season's baking and entertaining needs—has created a