There are many reasons why we should love the marvelous marvels that are mushrooms. From topping our favorite pizzas to mixing in with our burgers to tossing them into your omelets, mushrooms are a very fun guy that’ll make great additions to any diet. And fun fact: did you know Katy Perry’s favorite food is mushrooms? No wonder she’s got so much energy!
So, the next time you’re at a grocery store, consider adding some of them to your cart. Your body, your wallet, and the entire planet will thank you for it.
Here’s why:
1. They are Rich in Vitamin D
Did you know marvelous mushrooms absorb Vitamin D from the sunlight? That’s what makes mushrooms so rich in Vitamin D! They contain more than 100% of the daily recommended intake of Vitamin D.
Indeed, they are the only produce item that is rich in this nutrient. Other sources of Vitamin D include salmon, beef liver, and egg yolk, which aren’t exactly options for vegetarians, vegans, and other people who can’t eat these items. So, we’re very lucky that mushrooms are rich in Vitamin D.
2. They are Rich in Selenium
Besides being rich in Vitamin D, mushrooms are also an excellent source of selenium. This mineral is full of antioxidant properties that strengthen the immune system and get rid of harmful cells in the body. A diet with reasonable amounts of selenium may help protect you against conditions like asthma, cancer, heart disease, and more!
Like Vitamin D, many sources of selenium come from animal products like beef, poultry, and seafood, and they’re not friendly for people who abstain from them. Mushrooms make great alternatives!
3. They Taste Like Meat
Mushrooms are very much different than other vegetables when it comes to taste. While the rest are crunchy, juicy, crisp, and sometimes sweet, mushrooms have a very savory flavor that the Japanese describe as umami.
They taste very meaty, and some mushrooms taste meatier than others. For example, cremini mushrooms taste more like meat, while portabella mushrooms actually feel like meat on the tongue. Also, when you cook button mushrooms, the meaty flavor comes out.
Mushrooms make excellent alternatives for meat, which is why they have been used more and more for vegan food! Try some barbecued mushrooms–like many other fruits and vegetables, mushrooms are perfect on the grill!
4. They Blend Well with Ground Meat
And speaking of tasting meaty, mushrooms go very well with meat. If you want to cut back on meat consumption but don’t want to give up on meat altogether, you can blend mushrooms with ground meat to come up with something that tastes like the real thing!
For example, you can mix some ground mushrooms with ground beef. Add eggs, breadcrumbs, and seasonings of your choice to form a beef patty mixture that you can then slap on the grill. This is a great way to insert some vegetables into your diet without it being noticeable—a haven for parents with picky eaters, we’re sure!
5. They Aid in Weight Loss
The more you incorporate marvelous mushrooms into your diet, the more it’ll help you lose weight. That’s because mushrooms are low in calories. In fact, five button mushrooms have 20 calories in all—that’s 4 calories per mushroom! All this despite their extremely flavorful taste!
On top of that, mushrooms are bulky. They make you feel like you’re eating a lot when you’re not. This will help you limit your portions and also leave you energized throughout the day. The more satisfied you are after a mushroom-heavy meal, the less likely you will be to eat snacks or a heavy meal later.
6. They are Very Sustainable
Last but not least, marvelous mushrooms are a very sustainable crop. They’re accessible to almost anybody regardless of how much money they make, where they live, and what their living conditions are!
Mushrooms can grow almost anywhere. Heck, you can even grow them in trays. They don’t need much sunlight or constant watering. They don’t require lots of farming tools or equipment to grow or harvest. Because of this, when you substitute meat with mushrooms, you’re also reducing the carbon footprint around the world.
