Research from John Hopkins University showed adults who ate a mushroom-based version of beef dishes such as lasagna and chili felt just as full as when they ate the same dishes with beef. Not only were they just as full they ate around 420 fewer calories and 30 less grams of fat. It might be a good idea to replace beef in dishes such as the above along with casseroles, etc with mushrooms once or twice a week. Mushrooms are a good protein source.
This is the next to last post in this series on letting food be your medicine. Number 10 is one that is either loved or hated by most people. It seems there are few people don't have strong feelings about mushrooms one way or the other. However, shiitake mushrooms are very healthy and should be eaten by most people on a regular, perhaps weekly, basis. In human studies, shiitakes have been shown to be anti-cancer, cholesterol-lowering, and immune boosting. If these healthy mushrooms aren't part of your diet, perhaps they should be.
The hormone estrogen is involved in 75% of all breast cancer cases. Mushrooms have been shown to reduce breast cancer risk by 66%! Unique compounds in mushrooms, regardless of variety, regulate estrogen levels by blocking an enzyme known for ramping up estrogen production. Be sure you are including mushrooms in your diet. Mushrooms added to soups, salads, sauces etc. can help keep your immune cells strong.
