Mushrooms have so many health benefits! Not to mention they're super cute and come in many different shapes and varieties. Eating them in dishes from hot to cold, you'll be adding a valuable nutrient filled with savory umami flavor to your dish.
Mushrooms House Valuable Nutrients
Mushrooms are an excellent source of antioxidants and vital micronutrients including Potassium, Selenium, Vitamin D (when exposed to UV light), and Vitamin B (which many of us are lacking!). A clinical trial has shown that individuals with high levels of Vitamin B12 were more likely not to be obese and have a lower BMI.
They are also a great nutritional source of fiber (better bathroom trips anyone?).
And speaking of gut health, they have prebiotics, which boost your body's healthy bacteria levels. Talk about loaded!
Mushrooms Are Health Boosters
Mushrooms have properties that can help not only your physical, but mental health as well! In another study, eating mushrooms on a daily basis showed improvement in cognitive abilities using dementia testing methods
Mushrooms can also increase satiety (fullness) after a meal and make you feel less hungry, according to another study. In addition, they have potential anti-inflammatory effects (see here) and have shown promise in cancer therapy research.
These Fungi Come in Many Shapes and Forms
Mushrooms come in many shapes and sizes, but don't just go out and eat whatever you find in the wild! Some varieties can be poisonous, so you should probably stick to your local grocery market and trusted food source (or grow them yourself, in one of those at-home kits).
Some delicious types include: Portobello, Shiitake, Maitake, Chanterelle, Baby Bellas, and Oyster.
How to Add More Umami to Your Life
Don't know where to start adding your mushrooms? Try these ideas out!
Mushrooms are great raw! Add them to a salad for a fiber boost.
Put them in a stirfry or omelette for a savory additive.
Steam or soup them! One of my favorite ways to have mushrooms is to add a ton of chopped Bells in a coconut milk-based Tom Kha, or Shiitakes in some homemade miso soup.
Use it in powder form. Ok, I'm not going to lie, I've tried mushroom creamer and let me tell you- not a fan. But I have used the powder with water as a supplement shooter, or added mushroom powder in my dishes as a seasoning and that does the trick for me!
I hope that you give these fungi a try!
Have any favorite ways to eat your mushrooms? Comment and let me know your favorites below!
This is a very informative article. I did not know about mushrooms prebiotic and anti-inflammatory benefits. I’ll look at them closer!
Kyle must be a mushrooms because he is a fun guy!!!