Mushrooms are great for you! They’re super low in calories (20 calories per ½ cup), but high in key nutrients, including B vitamins, copper, potassium, and selenium – it’s wise to get into the health habit of including them regularly in your diet.

A little known fact is that mushrooms are also filled with powerful antioxidant chemicals – According to Penn State food scientist, Jay Dubost, the common mushrooms found on produce shelves at the grocery, like white buttons, criminis, and portabellas, provide more antioxidant power than most vegetables.

As an added bonus, mushrooms are especially high in a class of beneficial polysaccharides that enhance immune function. Cooked mushrooms maintain their antioxidant capacity and make an excellent substitute for meat because of their unique, savory flavor and meaty texture.  I throw mushrooms into most of my salads, soups stews, spaghetti, and pasta sauces as a quick and simple way to jack up nutritional value .

For more on healthy kitchen eats, check out my award-winning book Eat Right for Life: The Cookbook Companion.