Long celebrated as a super food source of powerful nutrients, mushrooms can help consumers meet the new 2015-2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). The Mushroom Council offers three key ways that fresh mushrooms simply help Americans achieve a healthy diet, according to the new guidelines.
Mushrooms provide a simple solution to sodium and saturated fat reduction: The DGA encourages healthy dietary patterns that are low in saturated fat and sodium. Mushrooms are fat-free and low in sodium. Additionally, the Mushroom Council advocates for the The Blend, a cooking technique that blends finely chopped mushrooms with ground meat to make nutritious burgers, without compromising flavor. Mushrooms’ inherent umami counterbalances saltiness and allows for less salt to be used in recipes.
Mushrooms are a source of an under consumed nutrient, vitamin D:
According to the DGA, vitamin D is classified as a “nutrient of public health concern,” because under consumption has been linked in the scientific literature to adverse health outcomes. Retailers currently offer a variety of light-exposed mushrooms which can provide close to 400 IU of vitamin D per serving. Mushrooms are the only source of vitamin D in the produce aisle and one of the few non-fortified food sources.
According to the DGA, vitamin D is classified as a “nutrient of public health concern,” because under consumption has been linked in the scientific literature to adverse health outcomes. Retailers currently offer a variety of light-exposed mushrooms which can provide close to 400 IU of vitamin D per serving. Mushrooms are the only source of vitamin D in the produce aisle and one of the few non-fortified food sources.
Mushrooms’ umami adds flavor to plant-rich diets:
The DGA encourages Americans to adopt dietary patterns that are high in a variety of vegetables. (While mushrooms are technically fungi, the U.S. Department of Agriculture food patterns include mushrooms as vegetables because they provide many nutrients found in vegetables.) Mushrooms offer an inherent meatiness to meals, thanks to their umami, giving plant-based dishes a savory, earthy richness.
The DGA encourages Americans to adopt dietary patterns that are high in a variety of vegetables. (While mushrooms are technically fungi, the U.S. Department of Agriculture food patterns include mushrooms as vegetables because they provide many nutrients found in vegetables.) Mushrooms offer an inherent meatiness to meals, thanks to their umami, giving plant-based dishes a savory, earthy richness.
For recipes and inspiration for incorporating more mushrooms into your diet, visit mushroominfo.com.