Mushrooms are a unique food. They’re naturally grown just like any vegetable, but they’re so hearty and meaty that it can be hard to tell if they’re actually good for you. Portabella mushrooms are perhaps the best example of this. These specific mushrooms are thick, juicy, and perfectly patty-shaped like they’re nature’s burgers. But worry not, portabellas are actually great for you!
Mushrooms are healthy and a great addition to any healthy diet! However, there are nearly 145,000 different species of fungi, 350 of which are edible, so how are you supposed to decide which ones you want to eat? Give this post a read and we promise you’ll have a much better idea. Today, expect to read about the following topics:
- Are Portabella Mushrooms Good For You?
- What Mushrooms are the Best For You?
- The Best Ways to Incorporate Mushrooms into Your Diet
Are Portabella Mushrooms Good for You?
Portabella mushrooms are not fruits or vegetables, they’re fungi! Portabellas are one of 350 species of edible fungi mushrooms, more specifically they are the mature form of cremini mushrooms or button mushrooms. This can get confusing, but portabella, crimini, and button mushrooms are actually all the same species! Portabellas are the larger, more mature form of the species.
But they aren’t fruits or vegetables so are they still healthy? The short answer is absolutely! But exactly how good for you are they?
Portabella mushrooms are very nutrient-dense. They are low in calories but high in the following vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants:
- B vitamins
- Copper
- Selenium
- Potassium
- Zinc
They also contain carbohydrates, protein, and fiber. Here’s the nutritional value of one serving of portabella mushrooms (2 mushrooms).
- 38 calories
- 5 grams of carbohydrates
- 4 grams of protein
- Less than half a gram of fat
With all of this nutrition in one mushroom, Portabellos can help reduce inflammation, improve gut health, boost your immune system, and improve cardiovascular health! These mushrooms are also easy to digest and super filling — this means they’ll fill you up faster while still containing fewer calories than most foods!
Portabella mushrooms are some of the tastiest mushrooms to eat, but there are tons of other options if you’re looking to reap the benefits of consuming mushrooms. Next, we’ll go over what other types of mushrooms are best for your health!
What Mushrooms are the Best For You?
Mushrooms are a diverse group of fungi that have a huge variety of uses. Not only can you cook up and eat some mushrooms, you can also take their nutrients in supplements, drinks, powders, and much more.
But what kinds of mushrooms are best for you? Well, there is a group of fungi called adaptogenic mushrooms that have particularly profound effects on the body. Specifically, adaptogenic mushrooms are great at reducing the effects of stress on the body. Consuming adaptogens regularly will increase your body’s resistance to internal, external, and physical stress like emotional pressure and physical strain.
Types of adaptogenic mushrooms include:
- Lion’s Mane
- Turkey Tail
- Chaga
- Reishi
- Cordyceps
Lion’s Mane, or Hericium erinaceus is one of many mushrooms that exhibit adaptogenic properties. The properties of this mushroom specifically include reducing the effects of stress on neurotransmitters as well as supplying the body with a protein called BDNF which is essential for brain function.
Turkey Tail, or Coriolus versicolor contains multiple substances that are used on their own as medicine! These substances (polysaccharide peptide and polysaccharide krestin) are used to decrease fatigue and boost the immune system. Turkey tail is even used in cancer treatment!
Chaga, or Inonotus obliquus has a rich history of use in Siberia and other parts of Asia as an immune system booster. Supplements or teas with chaga contain lots of antioxidants and are used to treat diabetes and heart disease.
Reishi, or Ganoderma lucidum is an adaptogen that is especially good at keeping the adrenal gland healthy. The adrenal gland is responsible for secreting cortisol, the chemical responsible for the body’s stress response. This mushroom was found to help athletes deal with physical stress from overtraining.
Cordyceps, or Cordyceps sinensis is also known for reducing stress and speeding up recovery for athletes.
All of these adaptogenic mushrooms are available in dietary supplements, tea, or coffee form! Dr. Emil offers products containing adaptogens if you’re looking to take advantage of these crazy healthy fungi. Dr. Emil’s Elite Lion’s Mane Mushroom Plus is a supplement loaded with five different adaptogenic mushrooms! This supplement contains the benefits of lion’s mane, turkey tail, chaga, maitake, and reishi!
The Best Ways to Incorporate Mushrooms into Your Diet
If you’re looking to eat and/or take more mushrooms to aid you in your wellness journey, here are some options!
- Mushroom Coffee - Mushroom coffee is a much healthier alternative to regular coffee! Though the taste is nearly the same, mushroom coffee contains the benefits of adaptogens to kickstart you in more ways than one!
- Mushroom Tea - If coffee isn’t your speed, then there are plenty of mushroom teas that contain just as much nutritional value — available with or without caffeine.
- Drink Mixes - If you frequently drink protein shakes or nutritional supplements, consider using plant protein powder containing mushrooms! Dr. Emil offers Multi Collagen Plus Immune Mushroom, an immune-boosting drink mix with adaptogens!
- Mushrooms as a Side Dish - The easiest way to incorporate mushrooms into your diet is to eat them of course! There are plenty of mushroom recipes for every taste! Some mushroom side dishes include sauteed mushrooms, cream of mushroom soup, and mushroom salads.
- Mushrooms as a Main Dish - Some main-dish mushroom recipes include mushroom fillets, stuffed mushrooms, or mushroom and garlic spaghetti! You can also sprinkle some chopped sauteed mushrooms on any salad, pasta, or meat dish!
The Wonders of Mushrooms
Long story short, portabella mushrooms are good for you! But portabella mushrooms aren’t the only mushrooms that are good for you. In fact, there are tons of unique mushrooms in many different forms that all provide their own nutritional benefits! There are mushrooms for your immune system, your gut health, stress management, and much more!
Adaptogens are one of the groups of fungi that are the best for you — they’re so healthy that they’re used in serious medical environments to treat anxiety, diabetes, and even cancer! But luckily you don’t have to be in a medical environment to utilize the benefits of adaptogens.
Through the use of mushrooms in their many forms like food, tea, coffee, supplements, and more, you will have added a formidable tool to your wellness arsenal!
