Mushrooms: One Of 13 Best Foods To Eat In 2013

SAN JOSE, Calif. — Eating the best foods for complete health can be absolutely delicious. Take it from registered dietitian Dave Grotto. In celebration of his new book, The Best Things You Can Eat (Bantam, January 2013), Grotto offers a roadmap to a tasty and healthy New Year with a sampling of 13 highly nutritious, go-to foods. Topping Grotto's must-eat list for 2013: mushrooms.

"Mushrooms provide critical nutrients for this time of year, like vitamin D to add a dose of sunshine to winter days and antioxidants to help boost immunity – and the best part is that you can eat them in every meal," says Grotto.

Thanks to mushrooms' hearty taste and meaty texture, Grotto uses them to add big flavor, extend portions and bring an extra serving of vegetables to the plate. "Mushrooms are a natural fit for the dishes we crave and are easy to incorporate into meals, for vegans to meat-lovers and everyone in between."

Mushrooms can be a vegetarian's best friend as the perfect main ingredient for meatless meals.
Increase portion size by adding mushrooms to meat dishes; for the best results, prepare mushrooms to mimic meat's texture and appearance – think portabella strips in fajitas and or quartered criminis in winter stews.
To shed calories and fat without compromising taste, substitute finely chopped mushrooms for some of the ground meat in dishes like tacos and burgers. Research suggests that substituting mushrooms for meat can be an effective method for reducing calorie and fat intake while still feeling full and satisfied after meals.1
Sauteing is the easiest way to cook whole, sliced, chopped or halved mushrooms. Boost any main dish or side with this can't miss formula: 1. Turn pan on high; 2. Lay single layer of sliced mushrooms and "sear" them (don't stir); 3. Flip and sear other side. Season to taste.

Reasons to love mushrooms: In season all year round, they're naturally low in calories, fat-free, and cholesterol-free. Low in sodium, but rich in umami, mushrooms offer a great flavor solution instead of adding salt. They're the only plant source of vitamin D and have almost as much potassium (8% Daily Value) as a small banana (10% Daily Value). Mushrooms also deliver B vitamins including riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid and other essential minerals like copper. Plus, within the produce aisle, mushrooms are a leading source of the antioxidants selenium and ergothioneine, which help strengthen the immune system.

Resolve to add Dave Grotto's 13 best foods to your plate in 2013. In addition to mushrooms, look for cherries, quinoa, pork, olive oil, avocados, salmon, eggs, spinach, almonds, yogurt, chickpeas and sweet potatoes. Combined, these foods offer a wide range of nutrients and flavors. Kick start your best year of eating by making one of the following superfood recipes each week in January:

Follow the Mushroom Channel on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest. Visit MushroomInfo.com for the latest blogs and recipes. Utilize MyPlate tips and tools to build a healthy plate in 2013.

About The Mushroom Council:

The Mushroom Council is composed of fresh market producers or importers who average more than 500,000 pounds of mushrooms produced or imported annually. The mushroom program is authorized by the Mushroom Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act of 1990 and is administered by the Mushroom Council under the supervision of the Agricultural Marketing Service. Research and promotion programs help to expand, maintain and develop markets for individual agricultural commodities in the United States and abroad. These industry self-help programs are requested and funded by the industry groups that they serve. For more information on the Mushroom Council, visit mushroomcouncil.org.

1 Cheskin LJ et al. Lack of energy compensation over 4 days when white button mushrooms are substituted for beef. Appetite 2008: 51: 50-57.

Source: The Mushroom Council