Flexitarian Diet | Mushrooms: Garden Home VLOG (2019) 4K

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How Mushrooms Fit into a Flexitarian Diet

Mushrooms are an excellent addition to a flexitarian diet – they hold their own as a meat alternative while adding delicious and nutritious benefits. Here’s why mushrooms are the perfect plant-based, flexitarian food:

What are the benefits of mushrooms?

Nutritionally, mushrooms have it all – they are packed with fiber, vitamins (such as B vitamins and Vitamin D), minerals (like selenium and potassium) and antioxidants that can help protect your cells from damage. They also provide lesser amounts of protein – about two grams per cup! On top of that, mushrooms contain umami, which is an intense savory flavor similar to that found in meats like beef or chicken. Additionally, certain types of mushrooms can even bolster your body’s natural defenses – one study found that consuming shiitake and maitake mushrooms enhanced immune function by increasing the number of white blood cells produced by your body.

How do you include them in a flexitarian diet?

There are so many ways to incorporate mushrooms into a flexitarian lifestyle. Try using them as part of a veggie burger patty or making “chicken” style nuggets out of portobello mushroom caps; add them to salads; use them instead of meat in stir fries; puree them for sauces or soups; make veggie taco filling with diced mushrooms and black beans; etc. The possibilities really are endless! Plus, by using more plants when cooking you will be reducing both your environmental impact and caloric intake without sacrificing any flavor.

In conclusion, adding mushrooms to your flexitarian diet is an easy way to get more healthful nutrients and reduce your consumption of animal products. With their high nutrient content and incredible versatility – there really is no reason not to try this tasty plant-based option today!