Have Fun with Fungi

Yesterday, April 16th, was the Day of the Mushroom! These days, mushrooms are becoming an increasingly popular food. Although they are typically categorized with vegetables, mushrooms are actually fungi.

These fungi have a long history of use as food and medicinally. Mushrooms have been used for several thousand years, dating back to ancient Egypt, China, Greece, Rome, and South America where they were valued for their health benefits. Eventually popularity of mushrooms reached the United States.

Now there are over 20 species of edible mushrooms that are cultivated in the United States and even more species exist that are toxic or poisonous. You will most commonly find portobello caps, shiitake, white button, and cremini mushrooms in supermarkets.
Mushrooms are full of health benefits and are still used in alternative medicine to date. If you’re not interested in medicinal uses of mushrooms and are simply interested in enjoying mushrooms as a part of healthy eating, they offer a lot of benefits.

Mushrooms are fat and cholesterol free, low in calories, and very low in sodium. What really makes mushrooms special is their content of nutrients like potassium, selenium, B vitamins, and vitamin D. They offer nutrients that are typically only found in animal products such as B vitamins niacin and riboflavin.

Mushrooms are interesting because they can produce vitamin D from the sun, much like our own bodies do. Vitamin D helps the body absorb calcium, which builds and helps maintain strong bones. The amount of vitamin D in mushrooms varies between species and is influenced by their growing conditions. For example, white button mushrooms or cremini mushrooms have a lower content of vitamin D compared to the less common maitake or morel mushrooms.

You can enjoy mushrooms in any dish. Different varieties are great in different dishes. Try white button mushrooms raw in a salad or sauté cremini mushrooms with some garlic, onions, and kale for a taste side dish.

Portobello caps are a popular choice among vegetarians for imitating meat and they are very tasty when roasted or grilled. Shiitake mushrooms have more of a tough, chewy texture than the others and add an earthy flavor to dishes. They are especially popular to add to stir fry dishes. However you like them, mushrooms are a tasty and nutritious addition to any meal.

Your turn to take action: Have you tried mushrooms? Don’t be afraid to try a new variety of mushroom and let me know how you like it in the comments below!

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