By Kerri-Ann Jennings, M.S., R.D. Associate Nutrition Editor for EatingWell Magazine
Think that sprig of parsley on the side of your plate is just sitting there looking pretty or that mushrooms aren't particularly nutritious? Find out why these and four other "worthless" foods are better for you than you think.
Mushrooms
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Mushrooms don't have the bursting-with-nutrients reputation of more brightly colored vegetables like sweet potatoes or Swiss chard, but mushrooms are good for you. Although low in calories (just 20 calories per cup, or about five mushrooms), they deliver a meaty flavor, which makes mushrooms a satisfying replacement for all or some of the meat at dinner. They're also one of the few foods that deliver vitamin D -- four medium mushrooms provide 5 IUs of the vitamin; it's not a lot (the daily recommendation is 400 IUs), but it is notable. Lastly, there's emerging research suggesting that white button mushrooms contain phytochemicals that may help prevent breast cancer.
More from EatingWell:6 Foods You Think Are Healthy But Really Aren't12 Superfoods for $1 or Less11 Foods You Should Buy OrganicFlickr photo by tony_the_bald_eagle
Mushrooms don't have the bursting-with-nutrients reputation of more brightly colored vegetables like sweet potatoes or Swiss chard, but mushrooms are good for you. Although low in calories (just 20 calories per cup, or about five mushrooms), they deliver a meaty flavor, which makes mushrooms a satisfying replacement for all or some of the meat at dinner. They're also one of the few foods that deliver vitamin D -- four medium mushrooms provide 5 IUs of the vitamin; it's not a lot (the daily recommendation is 400 IUs), but it is notable. Lastly, there's emerging research suggesting that white button mushrooms contain phytochemicals that may help prevent breast cancer.
Mushrooms don't have the bursting-with-nutrients reputation of more brightly colored vegetables like sweet potatoes or Swiss chard, but mushrooms are good for you. Although low in calories (just 20 calories per cup, or about five mushrooms), they deliver a meaty flavor, which makes mushrooms a satisfying replacement for all or some of the meat at dinner. They're also one of the few foods that deliver vitamin D -- four medium mushrooms provide 5 IUs of the vitamin; it's not a lot (the daily recommendation is 400 IUs), but it is notable. Lastly, there's emerging research suggesting that white button mushrooms contain phytochemicals that may help prevent breast cancer.
More from EatingWell:6 Foods You Think Are Healthy But Really Aren't12 Superfoods for $1 or Less11 Foods You Should Buy OrganicFlickr photo by tony_the_bald_eagle
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SLIDESHOW THUMBNAILS
What foods do you love for their health benefits?
By Kerri-Ann Jennings
Kerri-Ann, a registered dietitian, is the associate editor of nutrition for EatingWell magazine, where she puts her master's degree in nutrition from Columbia University to work writing and editing news about nutrition, health and food trends. In her free time, Kerri-Ann likes to practice yoga, hike, bake and paint.
By Leslie Barrie You've heard how diet-unfriendly dining out can be (2,120 calories for cheese fries with chili and ranch dressing at Chili's!), but...
You've seen it around your sushi, most likely. Not the soy sauce or the little green mound of wasabi, but the seaweed that holds everyone's favorite food together. It makes sushi rolls delicious and portable, but it's a lot more than wrapping paper.
If you purchase your eggs from a local farm or farmers' market, then you have direct access to the farmer to ask questions about the eggs they sell. If you're purchasing eggs from a grocery store, you may need a bit more help. Here's my guide to some of the common terms on egg cartons.
March is Nutrition Month, and you might think that means I'm going to talk about what you should eat. But instead of talking about what we eat, I want to talk about how we eat it.
Greek yogurt has seen a recent popularity in every facet of the food world -- even Ben & Jerry's has created a frozen swirl. What's not to love? Greek yogurt is high in protein, low in sugar and is one of the most versatile ingredients around.
"Health and wellness" may be cited as motivators behind Pepsi NEXT, but America needs mid-calorie soda as much as the Gulf of Mexico needs another oil spill. May I suggest drinking more water? What a concept!
All varieties of dairy are bad- full-fat & non-fat. It's the leading cause of heart disease, doesn't offer as much calcium as most greens, and cultures that do not consume dairy tend to be significantly thinner than those that do.
I'm not here to change your mind, but it's best if everyone actually researches dairy to find out the truth. If you (the global "you") are having troubles losing weight try removing dairy from your diet!
hp_blogger_Liz Black: All varieties of dairy are bad- full-fat & non-fat. It's
Make your own batch of curry powder and add all, coriander, anise, caraway, and fennel seeds along with chopped up fresh or dry hot chilis to your double batch of whatever rice that you wish. Keep in the frig for whenever you are hungry. Additionally, put on any steamed or sauteed-in-garlic/olive oil organic vegies. Parsley soup, and the plain broth is really very good, and refreshing when you drink it cold.
This will help keep you lean and blood pressure under control. This is "my" secret, every day.
iam99: Make your own batch of curry powder and add all,
edejan are you still eating refined carbs and sugar. Give that up and eat fatty meats and full fat dairy and saturated aft and the weight will fall off of you. I promise!!!
Lesley_MacIntyre: edejan are you still eating refined carbs and sugar. Give
Mushrooms grow in environments that could be harmful to many plants---think of all the dead fecal matter that we use to grow them. To protect themselves, shrooms manufacture a whole range of phytochemicals, which we, ourselves, get to enjoy.
SeaBlood: Mushrooms grow in environments that could be harmful to many
i love mushrooms i dont think they are worthless especially if you are a vegetarian and cook up a giant mushroom on the grill with olive oil and stuff it with gat cheese its delicious.
you are right it is good for you but it tastes wonderful also .
thebarbecuemast: i love mushrooms i dont think they are worthless especially
brianna if it tastes great it is worth something its not worthless.. if your skinny you need some calories you dont want to eat foods that burn more caloriies .
thebarbecuemast: brianna if it tastes great it is worth something its
Look for things you buy anyway, like yogurt or cheese, and see if there are coupons for those things. You should have a store loyalty card if your store offers one, like safeway or sample things before you buy best place would be to check is "Official Samples"
joestubbs: Look for things you buy anyway, like yogurt or cheese,
Thanks, great article. I do believe "you are what you eat." Unfortunately, the processed food industry have us in a coma. I am itching and scratching my way back to better health. Also loved the video.
reader1: Thanks, great article. I do believe "you are what you
We eat american violets, lambsquarters, amaranth, and immature dandelions from our yard in salads, which taste great. Like most "weeds" they are loaded with vitamins and minerals and are more nutritious than many commercial vegetables, and since they are perennials they don't consume our time or money, other than to pick, wash, & eat them. Other yard "weeds" are our medicines - I harvest & dry nettles for tea that I take monthly before my cycle to build up my calcium & iron and prevent cramping. Broad-leaf plantain makes a poultice that reduces or prevents swelling from insect stings including bees. Mullein I use for inhalation treatments and teas that quickly turn around any bronchial infections I encounter. We wish we could get rid of the rest of our grass to make more room for the plants that take care of us.
CASnyder: We eat american violets, lambsquarters, amaranth, and immature dandelions from
i've grown up with dandelion salad and nettle spinach. sadly where i live are to many dogs and few dandelions. the nettles i still get.
'weeds '' above grass, i'm all for it.
sabelmouse: i've grown up with dandelion salad and nettle spinach. sadly
I would love to do what you are suggesting. I have never seen the point of growing lawn grass and don't bother hosing my lawn in chemicals to maintain it. Unfortunately I live in a residential area where the neighbors have unleashed chemical warfare on their yards and seem to have a lush yard contest going on. I'm afraid to even walk around barefoot because of all the toxins, let alone eat anything.
Jessica_Weber: I would love to do what you are suggesting. I
So-called-bob: Here is one reference: http://www.asylum.com/2010/05/12/celery-sex-pheremones-androstenone-more-attractive-to-women/ And another: http://inspiredwellness.org/blog/2012/02/foods-that-naturally-increase-your-libido Is it
I'm not here to change your mind, but it's best if everyone actually researches dairy to find out the truth. If you (the global "you") are having troubles losing weight try removing dairy from your diet!
This will help keep you lean and blood pressure under control. This is "my" secret, every day.
you are right it is good for you but it tastes wonderful also .
'weeds '' above grass, i'm all for it.
Is it true? It kinda sorta works for me.