(NC) Mushrooms are more than just a tasty ingredient to add to your meals; they’re also an environmentally sustainable food source and nutritional powerhouse. Here are five reasons to add more to your plate.
More for less. Since mushrooms do not contain cholesterol, fat or gluten and are low in calories and carbohydrates with very low sodium content, you can eat and enjoy them as often as you’d like.
They’re rich in nutrients. Mushrooms are packed with essential vitamins and minerals. Some key nutrients include:
- B Vitamins: They’re rich in B vitamins like riboflavin, niacin and pantothenic acid which help in energy production and maintaining brain health.
- Antioxidants: They contain antioxidants such as selenium and glutathione which help combat oxidative stress and reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
- Potassium: Mushrooms are a good source of potassium, a nutrient that maintains fluid and electrolyte balance which helps control blood pressure.
A versatile ingredient. Mushrooms pair well with a variety of foods including eggs, pastas, stir-fries, stews and more. Coupled with their ability to replicate a meaty texture, they pair well with beef and other meats and can be used as a vegetarian substitute. Whether you prefer white, crimini, portabella, shiitake, oyster or king oyster, mushrooms can be consumed raw or cooked in a myriad of ways.
Water conscious. Compared to other foods that we eat, mushrooms take a lot less water to grow. Consider this; it takes approximately 6.8 litres (1.8 gallons) to grow 0.5 kg (1 lb) of mushrooms compared to other common vegetables which require an average of 17.6 litres (4.65 gallons) of water per pound.
Grown in Canada. Mushrooms don’t need to travel far to get to your local grocery store or market. They’re grown year-round by Canadian producers from coast to coast. This ensures they’re always fresh while reducing the carbon footprint needed to get them from farm to table.
Learn more about the nutritional and environmental impact of mushrooms and find dozens of recipes at mushrooms.ca.
