[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/08\/6-reasons-mushrooms-make-awesome-addition-meal\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/08\/6-reasons-mushrooms-make-awesome-addition-meal\/","headline":"6 Reasons That Mushrooms Make An Awesome Addition to Any Meal","name":"6 Reasons That Mushrooms Make An Awesome Addition to Any Meal","description":"Did you know that mushrooms are awesome? They may not add that colorful splash to our dish, but they do add that extra taste, vitamins, and minerals.","datePublished":"2014-08-13","dateModified":"2023-10-12","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","name":"UPMC","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/6-reasons-mushrooms-make-awesome-addition-meal.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/08\/6-reasons-mushrooms-make-awesome-addition-meal.jpg","height":325,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/08\/6-reasons-mushrooms-make-awesome-addition-meal\/","about":["Nutrition"],"wordCount":607,"keywords":["fettuccine","fungus","grilling","healthy eating","mushroom","potassium","recipe","sage","selenium","vegetables","Vegetarian and Plant-Based Recipes","Vitamin D"],"articleBody":"Mushrooms are a bit of a mystery. They have various shapes and appearances, most often resembling a stocky umbrella. Some are poisonous, but most are safe to eat.To the touch, they can be rough or smooth. And on the color spectrum, they jump all over, ranging from white to reddish-brown. But despite all the varied appearances, textures, tastes, and colors, there is one thing that is consistent about this strange little vegetable (or fungus to be more accurate):It’s packed full of powerful nutrients.Because mushrooms offer an excellent source of vitamins that can benefit your health, they’ve become quite easy to work into a variety of meals throughout the day. It’s no wonder that Nintendo\u00ae chose the mushroom as the one thing that turns plain old Mario into Super Mario.Adding fresh mushrooms to your everyday meals can help you load up on essential proteins, vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antibiotics, and antioxidants.6 Benefits of Eating MushroomsHere are just a few of the nutritional benefits of mushrooms:1. Low CalorieOne cup of mushrooms contains only 20 calories, which helps maintain your waistline. They are also fat-free, cholesterol-free, and very low in sodium.2. High in Vitamin DA rarity to find in vegetables, this vitamin can facilitate the absorption and metabolism of calcium and phosphorous, another key nutrient contained in mushrooms.3. Excellent Source of Copper and PhosphorusCopper helps form collagen, a protein that keeps your bones from becoming brittle, and also aids in energy production. Phosphorus aids in protein development and growth, maintenance, and repair of cells and tissues.4. High in SeleniumMushrooms contain antioxidants, like selenium, which protect body cells from damage that might lead to chronic diseases. They also help to strengthen the immune system.5. Good Source of B VitaminsMushrooms contain essential B vitamins riboflavin, niacin, and pantothenic acid, which help to provide energy by breaking down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates.6. High in PotassiumThis mineral aids in the maintenance of normal fluid and mineral balance, which helps control blood pressure.How to Prepare MushroomsDon’t be afraid to add mushrooms to your meals. These preparation tips will help you get the most out of this power-packed fungi:Cook the mushrooms to release more nutrients. Try grilling, stir-frying, and saut\u00e9ing to limit fat.Refrigerate mushrooms in a paper bag for up to one week. Use within a few days for best flavor and texture.Roasting mushrooms will bring out their natural sweetness.Be sure to thoroughly clean them before eating, as they tend to store dirt in their crevices.A Delicious Mushroom RecipeFettuccine in creamy mushroom and sage sauce recipeTry this vegetarian recipe that you can put on the table in 30 minutes. (Ingredients and directions intended for two servings)Prep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 20 minutesIngredients:8 ounces spinach fettuccine pasta1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil1 shallot, chopped1 clove garlic, chopped4 ounces chopped fresh oyster mushrooms\u00bd cup heavy cream1 tablespoon chopped fresh sageSalt and pepper to tasteDirectionsBring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes, or until al dente; drain.Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat, and cook shallots and garlic until transparent. Stir in mushrooms, and cook until tender. Mix in heavy cream and sage. Cook and stir until thickened.Toss sauce with cooked fettuccine, and season with salt and pepper to serve.Whether you’re adding mushrooms to a salad, tossing them in a tasty pasta dish, or saut\u00e9ing them alongside various other vegetables, they’re a great way to receive nutrients that are necessary for your daily diet."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2014","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"6 Reasons That Mushrooms Make An Awesome Addition to Any Meal","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2014\/08\/6-reasons-mushrooms-make-awesome-addition-meal\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]