The Many Uses for Mushrooms

The Many Uses for Mushrooms

October 7th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

While the most common mushroom in American kitchens is the white button mushroom, these staples of many world cuisines come in various forms from shitake to portobello. With a wide variety of flavors, sizes, and culinary uses, mushrooms are easy to add to many dishes.

Although mushrooms grow in the wild, there are many species that are poisonous. It’s best to stick to mushrooms purchased from your local grocer or farmer’s market to be on the safe side, unless you happen to be a mushroom expert! The poison in mushrooms can be fatal, so don’t take any chances.

The Nutrition in Mushrooms

Because there are so many varieties, the nutritional value of a mushroom can change depending on the type. Most types however, offer a wide variety of nutrients, including B Vitamins, potassium, iron, zinc, folate and Vitamin C. They are also a good source of dietary fiber and protein as well. Mushrooms contain a good dose of selenium as well, which makes them great immunity boosters.

New growing methods using ultraviolet lights infuse some mushrooms with a good dose of Vitamin D, which can be hard to get from other food sources. This tends to darken the mushroom’s skin, which might be a help in identifying mushrooms high in Vitamin D.

Mushrooms are low in fat and cholesterol and generally low in calories, making them a great way to fill up without adding a lot of empty calories to a meal.

How to Serve Mushrooms

Mushrooms are used around the world in any number of popular recipes. They can be eaten raw either whole or sliced into a fresh salad. They can also be cooked in a variety of ways, adding an earthy flavor to many dishes.

The type of cuisine can determine the type of mushrooms you would like to use, or vice versa. White button mushrooms are versatile enough to use in just about any dish where mushrooms are called for. Add them to soups, stews, rice pilaf or risotto. Cooked mushrooms make a great topping for a burger or a steak, with or without a sauce. Mushrooms are also a great addition to any gravy, as they go perfectly with both red meat and poultry too.

Cream of mushroom soup is a one of the most popular cream soups on the market, and is used in all kinds of recipes from casseroles to sauces. You can purchase it in cans, or even make your own at home for a fresh, healthy flavor.

Mushrooms are great tossed with pasta no matter what kind of sauce you are using, from tomato based sauces to alfredo, to even pesto. Try different species of mushrooms for variations in flavor. Mushrooms are a favorite topping for pizza – instead of ordering out, top a homemade pie with freshly sliced mushrooms.

Add mushrooms to breakfast by scrambling them with eggs and cheese, or adding them to an omelet. They also work great in other egg-based dishes such as quiche.

At just about every meal, fresh, healthy mushrooms can find a place. The uses for them are nearly endless, as they compliment so many flavors and add their own special taste without overwhelming a dish. At breakfast, lunch, or dinner, mushrooms pack a powerful nutritional punch along with great flavor that is like nothing else.

Dealing with Lactose Intolerance During Pregnancy

Dealing with Lactose Intolerance During Pregnancy

July 31st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

If you are lactose intolerant, you have probably already found ways to deal with it on a daily basis. However, when you become pregnant, a new set of challenges presents itself. Getting all the calcium you need can be a challenge without milk or milk products, but there is no reason it can’t be done.

What is Lactose Intolerance?

Lactose, a form of sugar found in dairy products, is broken down in the digestive system by lactase, an enzyme produced in the small intestine. When the body has a deficiency in production of lactase, lactose can’t be digested properly, resulting in painful abdominal problems. This is known as lactose intolerance.

Lactose intolerance is not the same as being allergic to milk products although they are often confused. Lactose intolerance generally does not develop until later in life, unlike milk allergies which are common in infancy.

What are the Symptoms?

Not all people who are lactose intolerant have noticeable symptoms, but for some they can be quite severe. Symptoms occur about 30 minutes after consuming milk products and can include gas, abdominal pain and bloating, diarrhea and nausea.

Getting Enough Calcium

The solution to lactose intolerance sounds like a simple one; those suffering from it need only stop consuming dairy products to avoid the symptoms. This is true, but unfortunately dairy products are the best source of calcium in our diets. When you are pregnant, calcium becomes even more important than ever, and your need for it increases. This can make it even more difficult to obtain enough from non-dairy sources.

It might be difficult, but it’s not impossible to get enough calcium, especially with some help from fortified foods. Many juices, especially orange juice, are fortified with calcium and vitamin D. The vitamin D is important because it helps your body to absorb the calcium. Read the label to make sure your choice contains both. Leafy green vegetables and some fish can also be good sources of calcium. Soy milk is a good replacement for cow’s milk that can also provide your body with calcium.

Some people with lactose intolerance use special medications that allow the body to digest lactose. These are generally considered to be safe during pregnancy, but as with any medication, it should be discussed with your doctor first.

Concerns About the Baby

Luckily, lactose intolerance in the mother is not likely to do any damage to the baby, as long as you make sure to find enough calcium sources to make up for not eating dairy products. Lactose intolerance does seem to have a genetic link, which means there is a possibility you could pass it on to the baby. It won’t likely affect the baby until later in life, however, but you should consider breastfeeding as opposed to milk-based formulas as a precaution.

Premature babies are considered to be at a higher risk for lactose intolerance, so if you want to protect your baby as best you can, take every possible precaution to avoid a premature delivery.

As long as you get enough calcium to support the baby as well as your own body during pregnancy, no matter what the source, lactose intolerance won’t be detrimental to your pregnancy. There is no reason you can’t have a perfectly normal and healthy pregnancy, and a very healthy baby!

Vital Minerals for your Pregnancy Diet

Vital Minerals for your Pregnancy Diet

July 20th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

There are a number of minerals that are essential to life, and they should already be a part of your diet prior to becoming pregnant. However, once you have a baby growing inside you, there are a few minerals that become extra important to support that baby. Getting more of these minerals in your pregnancy diet will ensure your baby is growing and developing right on track.

Some minerals can be stored in the body, while others can not. Those that can be stored will offer a supply for the baby to draw on throughout the pregnancy. You will need to replace them daily, however, so that your own needs are being met as well. Those that the body does not store are even more crucial to your daily diet. You need to replace them every day through the foods you eat to make sure there is enough for you and your baby too.

Make sure that you are getting enough of these two absolutely essential minerals during your pregnancy, along with all of the minerals your body needs.

Calcium for Bones and More

Well-known as the mineral that supports healthy bones, calcium also does a lot more. It also supports the muscles, circulatory system, and the nervous system as well. It’s an essential mineral for a healthy body, and it becomes even more essential during pregnancy. As the baby draws on the mother’s calcium supply through the placenta, the mother must continue to replace it. Otherwise, the baby will draw on the stores of calcium from the mother’s bones, which can result in problems such as osteoporosis later in life.

Consume calcium along with vitamin D to ensure it is absorbed well into your system. Dairy products are the best source of calcium, but other foods such as leafy greens can provide it as well. This mineral becomes especially essential during the second and third trimesters, but you should go ahead and increase your intake right when you find out you are pregnant.

Iron for Your Blood

Because the volume of blood in your body increases dramatically during pregnancy, iron becomes more important than ever before. Iron helps to create red blood cells which carry oxygen throughout the body. Too little can result in anemia which is unhealthy for mother and baby too. Iron is also responsible for helping baby’s muscles to develop properly.

Iron rich foods such as red meat, poultry, and fish are great sources of this important mineral. Beans, green vegetables such as broccoli and berries like raspberries and strawberries also provide iron. If you are at risk of anemia or have already been diagnosed, your doctor may prescribe a supplement. You will likely be tested for anemia during your pregnancy as a precaution.

Like calcium, iron will become even more important in the second and third trimesters of your pregnancy. But making the right changes to your diet as soon as you know you are pregnant will make it easier to get all of the iron you need for yourself and baby as well.

These two minerals are the most essential to your baby, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the minerals in your prenatal supplements aren’t important. You need a complete and balanced diet, along with the help of a supplement, to make sure you are getting everything you need.

A Vegetarian Diet During Pregnancy

A Vegetarian Diet During Pregnancy

July 7th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

If you are a vegetarian, there is no reason not to continue following your diet during pregnancy. As with any pregnancy diet, you should make sure that you are consuming enough of all of the required nutrients and enough calories to support your growing baby. Depending on the type of vegetarian diet you follow, you may need to make a few adjustments to ensure that the baby is getting everything required for normal development.

Some of the challenges to vegetarians can be getting enough protein, calcium, iron and vitamin D. It is possible to obtain most of these through a vegetarian diet, but during your pregnancy you will have to be even more vigilant to ensure that you are ingesting adequate amounts.

Getting Enough Protein

If you have been following a vegetarian diet for some time, you have probably already adjusted your intake to provide good sources of protein. Include nuts, soy products, legumes and tofu in your diet. Contrary to previous recommendations, the AAP no longer recommends against eating peanut butter during pregnancy to avoid allergies. New evidence indicates this is safe, and vegetarians can use peanut butter as a good source of protein during pregnancy.

Calcium and Vitamin D

If you follow the strictest of vegetarian diets, veganism, then getting calcium and vitamin D from milk and other dairy products are not an option for you. Look for orange juices fortified with both, as well as other foods that may have these two vital nutrients added. Calcium can but obtained through a number of foods other than dairy, such as spinach and broccoli, but vitamin D is needed to help your body use the calcium. Vitamin D can be obtained via sun exposure, but use caution. Your skin may be more sensitive to the sun during pregnancy due to elevated levels of estrogen. You may need a supplement to ensure you are getting enough vitamin D.

Iron and the Vegetarian Diet

Getting enough iron during pregnancy is vital to both your health and that of your baby. If you don’t plan to eat any meat to provide iron, you should be sure to include other iron rich foods in your diet. Look to leafy greens, peanuts, beans, peas and iron fortified foods. You may need an iron supplement during your pregnancy if your doctor finds your levels to be too low during a routine test.

Other Important Foods to Include

Some vegetarian diets include fish, an excellent source of Omega-3 fatty acids. If you do not consume fish, look for these important fatty acids in other sources such as almond and olive oil. Because it can be hard to get enough of this vital nutrient without fish, you might consider taking a supplement. Another important vitamin that might be lacking in a vegetarian diet is Vitamin B12. Because it is mostly found in animal products, you should take a supplement to make sure you get enough.

As with any diet, you should use caution during pregnancy to make sure that you are getting the right number of calories. After the first trimester, you will require additional calories to help your baby grow. Use caution, however, as consuming too many calories can lead to excess weight gain and other problems. Eat a balanced diet with a variety of foods to make sure you get all the vitamins you need.

If you have concerns about your vegetarian diet during your pregnancy, talk to your doctor to help determine whether or not you need supplements.

The Role of Vitamins

The Role of Vitamins

June 30th, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

When many of us think of vitamins, we picture a bottle of pills or chewable capsules. It has become so common to think of “taking your vitamins” that we often forget where vitamins really come from.

Vitamins are naturally occurring, organic substances found in plants and animals. They are necessary to good health and help our bodies to function properly. Each vitamin has a role to play, and it’s important to get enough of all the necessary vitamins to ensure a strong and healthy body.

What They Do and Where to Find Them

Vitamins are generally known by letters, Vitamin A, B, C and so on, but they also often have another name. Knowing which vitamin is which, what they do for the body, and which foods provide them makes it easy to eat a balanced diet.

  • Vitamin A. This vitamin is available from both plant and animal sources. It plays a major role in protecting the immune system, eye health, reproduction, and helps build barriers in both the skin and linings of internal systems to keep out harmful bacteria. You can find Vitamin A in beef or chicken liver, dairy products, and many fruits and vegetables, especially carrots, spinach, kale, cantaloupe and apricots.
  • Vitamin B6. Necessary to immune and nervous system function, vitamin B6 also creates enzymes that metabolize proteins, and is required to create hemoglobin, which carries oxygen within the bloodstream. Vitamin B6 can be found in foods such as potatoes, bananas, garbanzo beans and chicken.
  • Vitamin B12. This vitamin is required to create red blood cells and support neurological function. Foods that provide Vitamin B12 are beef liver, clams, yogurt, and fish such as trout and salmon.
  • Folate. Another one of the B vitamins, folate has recently been shown to reduce the risk of a number of birth defects including spina bifida. You can get folate from foods such as whole grains and leafy greens like spinach and broccoli.
  • Vitamins B1-6 and B7. Also known as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid and biotin, the remaining B vitamins are also important to good health, helping to metabolize food into energy and create red blood cells. B vitamins can be found in a variety of foods such as meats, poultry, eggs, and green vegetables.
  • Vitamin D. Crucial to healthy bones, this vitamin helps in the absorption of calcium and bone growth. It also plays a role in immune health. This vitamin does not appear naturally in many foods, however it can be found in fish such as salmon, tuna, and sardines. Vitamin D is also absorbed into the body through sun exposure, however too much exposure to UV rays carries a risk.
  • Vitamin E. An antioxidant which can help to rid the body of free radicals, Vitamin E also supports a healthy immune system. This vitamin can be found in nuts such as almonds, peanuts and hazelnuts, as well as sunflower seeds, broccoli, and spinach.
  • Vitamin K. This vitamin plays an important role in blood clotting as well as maintaining healthy bones and tissue. It is most commonly found in leafy green vegetables such as kale, collard greens, spinach and broccoli.

Getting Enough Vitamins

It can be difficult to tell if you are getting enough vitamins from your diet, so it’s not a bad idea to take a daily multi-vitamin. Just be careful not to overdo it on supplements. Taking too much of some vitamins can actually be detrimental to your health. A balanced diet and a basic multi-vitamin should be sufficient to provide your body with what it needs to function and stay healthy.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D

February 21st, 2010 by admin  |  No Comments

Vitamin D is essential for the following body functions:

  • abortion of calcium and phosphorus, helping to form bones and carry out other mineralization
  • the growth of skin cells

Vitamin D can be manufactured by the action of sunlight on the skin. If a child does not receive adequate amounts of vitamin D daily, then the deficiency can impair bone mineralization and may lead to several bone diseases such as:

  • bone softening diseases, rickets in children and osteomalacia in adults
  • osteoporosis.

Sources of Vitamin D:

Food / 100g Amount (µ g)
Cod liver oil 210
Kipper fillet, baked 25
Red salmon, canned in brine, drained 23.1
Cod roe, fried in oil 17
Herring fillet. grilled 16.1
Sardines, grilled 12.1
Rainbow trout, grilled 11
Salmon, grilled 9.6
Smoked mackerel fillet 8
Margarine 7.9
Tuna, fresh 7.2
Sardine canned in oil, drained 5
Tuna canned in brine, drained 4
Tuna canned in oil, drained 3
Eggs 1.8

µ = one millionth, 0.000001

How Much Vitamins You Need?

Dietary reference intake (DRIs): recommended intakes for infants, children, pregnant women and breastfeeding moms.