Mushrooms are among the healthiest foods you can eat, providing a rich range of nutrients and immune-boosting properties.
Trying to find ways to incorporate more mushrooms into your diet? Here are four health benefits of mushrooms and how to incorporate them into your meals.
Mushrooms aren’t just for pizza and pasta. In fact, these fungus-derived foods are packed with nutrients that can help protect your immune system, improve heart health and keep you looking younger. Here’s what you need to know about these superfoods:
1. Mushrooms contain immune-boosting compounds that fight disease.
There’s a reason why some people say that eating mushrooms is like “taking a multivitamin in food form.” In fact, studies show that mushrooms have antiviral and antibacterial properties that can help protect against a range of illnesses, including upper respiratory infections, diarrhea and even cancer. These natural compounds — known as beta glucans — also stimulate the production of white blood cells, which help fight infection.
2.Mushrooms are Low in Calories and Fat
Mushrooms are low in calories and fat but high in essential nutrients like selenium, potassium and vitamin D. The humble mushroom has gained a reputation as a “superfood” because it can improve your health in many ways. It’s also a good source of fiber, which helps you feel full while eating fewer calories.
Trying to incorporate mushrooms into your diet? Here’s how to get started:
1. Add them to your salads
Worried about the taste? Don’t be! There are many types of mushrooms that pair well with other salad ingredients. To add them to your salad, just sauté them with some olive oil, salt and pepper until they soften, then toss them in. You can also make a dressing with balsamic vinegar and olive oil blended together with a dash of soy sauce and honey.
2. Stuff them into your sandwiches
Got some extra mushrooms lying around? Sauté them along with onions and peppers, stuff ’em into pita pockets or fill up an omlette by layering the veggies between scrambled eggs.
3. Include them in your stir-fry dishes
Stir-frying is one of the easiest ways to add more veggies to your diet. Get things going in a hot pan by adding some vegetable or sunflower oil before cooking up some onions, garlic and other veggies.
