Make Room For Mushrooms

Shitake, crimini, portabella, enoki, oyster, morels, wood ears or white -- whether tossed in a salad, arranged on a pizza or polenta, added to a stir-fry, or stirred into pasta, stew or soup, mushrooms add earthy flavors.

Nutritionally, mushrooms are low in calories, cholesterol-free and essentially fat and sodium-free. They provide many B vitamins; potassium, which promotes heart health; selenium, an antioxidant that may be heart-healthy; and copper, a partner to iron in building red blood cells. Mushrooms may supply cancer-protective phytonutrients.

Tip: For best flavor, refrigerate them in paper bags or covered with paper towels; enjoy them at their peak freshness.

Source: 365 Days of Healthy Eating from the American Dietetic Association (Wiley 2004), Roberta Larson Duyff, MS, RD, FADA, CFCS; Reprinted with permission of John Wiley & Sons, Inc.