Fungal Superheroes; the Magic of Mushrooms

Mushroom season is upon us here in the Pacific Northwest.! There are over 2,000 edible species to choose from, and they are an easy and nutritious addition to your diet. Did you know that incorporating mushrooms into your daily diet can lower your risk of cancer by as much as 45%? Not only that, but they’re so easy to include in your cooking by throwing them on a pizza, in a pasta or soup, and even in your egg dishes! Check out the other health benefits of mushrooms below.

Health Benefits:

• Aids in heart health: low in calories, sodium, & fat

• Improves brain health

• Promotes gut health as a great source of fiber

• Rich in calcium and potassium

• Great source of vitamin D, vitamin B, and antioxidants

  
  

Pro Tips for Cooking with Mushrooms:

• Try substituting half of the ground beef in any recipe for mushrooms! This is a great way to maximize flavor and nutrients while reducing the sodium, fat, and calories in a meal.

• Cook mushrooms with a fat source such as olive oil, avocado oil, or butter. Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, our bodies absorb more of this nutrient when it’s mixed with a fat source!

  
  

The opportunities to include mushrooms in our diets are almost limitless though as are their health benefits, so you can get creative with incorporating them into your cooking! Remember though, while the Pacific Northwest is a great area to forage for mushrooms, it is always recommended to purchase your mushrooms from a store if you’re unsure of which wild mushrooms can be deadly.