All of us are familiar of the magical powers of mushrooms, whether from fairytales, folk rock songs or Super Mario brothers! But did you know that the awesome health benefits of mushrooms extend to the real world as well?
All mushrooms share certain characteristics that help you burn fat and keep illness and disease at bay. Keep reading to find out which mushroom nutrition facts you need!
Types of Mushrooms
Before we get into what mushrooms can do for your health and fitness, let’s talk a little about the many types of mushrooms available at your local market.
White button mushrooms are probably the most widely available and they are simply white mushrooms that come in small and large sizes. Then there are Portobello mushrooms, which are large brown mushrooms. Baby bellas, sometimes called crimini mushrooms are small brown mushrooms with a hearty flavor.
Other mushrooms that may be slightly more difficult to find include shitake, porcini and oyster mushrooms. Look at specialty stores or Farmer’s Markets for these mushrooms for maximum health benefits.
About Mushrooms
One of the best things about mushroom nutrition facts is that they are very low in calories. One cup of button mushrooms has just 15 calories, while 1 cup of Portobello mushrooms has 22 calories. Their low calorie count is just one reason mushrooms are important fat burning foods.
Mushrooms are also a fat free food, which is helpful when you need to lose weight. What’s more is that mushrooms have no cholesterol and less than 1% of your daily value of sodium. Although not a lot, mushroom nutrition facts also reveal small amounts of protein, carbohydrates and fiber which aid in fat loss.
Mushrooms may be small but nutrition facts prove that they have plenty of vitamins and minerals. One cup of mushrooms includes vitamins C, D, B6 and B12, plus large doses of riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid. These vitamins along with minerals like calcium, iron, potassium and selenium keep you fit and in good health.
Health Benefits of Mushrooms
The most sought after health benefit of mushrooms is weight loss. As a lean protein, your body already burns plenty of fat just breaking down the protein (and fiber), but when you consume foods low in fat and carbs that fat burned increases for additional fat burning.
The vitamins C, B6 and B12 found in mushrooms are responsible for boosting your immune system. This helps flush toxins out of your body that could compromise your immune system. A healthy body means you can focus more on fat burning rather than healing.
Many dieters looking to control or reduce their cholesterol add mushrooms to their diet. The fiber content in mushrooms helps lower bad cholesterol, while the low carb content helps regulate diabetes.
Maximize Health Benefits of Mushrooms
Mushrooms have such a versatile flavor that they can be used in a wide variety of dishes including pasta, salad and soups. Mushrooms take in flavors very well, so you can add them to many different types of cuisine.
- Sauté shallots, garlic and mushrooms to top your favorite burger.
- Chop 1 cup of mushrooms and add to your favorite pasta sauce.
- Stuff large button mushrooms with red pepper, garlic, onion, breadcrumbs and cheese.
- Slice mushrooms and add to a healthy breakfast omelet.
- Substitute Portobello mushrooms for steak for a heart healthy ‘Bella Stroganoff’.
- Chop shitake or porcini mushrooms and add to a salad.
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