Desiree Nielsen is a registered dietitian and nutrition operations manager for a small chain of organic and natural food stores in Vancouver, Canada. Passionate about plant-based diets for more vibrant health, Desiree believes that food should not only nourish your body but also feed the soul. When she isn’t chasing around after her toddler, Desiree is a sought-after speaker and blogger.

Growing in dark, dank places with nary a rainbow hue to hint any nutritional value – we often think mushrooms lack nutritional value. That is where you would be wrong!

Mushrooms are a unique source of a vitamin D1 and special polysaccharides that help modulate the immune system and calm inflammation. To delve into the super food side of mushrooms, it is time to go beyond the basic button.

Shiitake mushrooms, as discussed by Dr. Perricone in Forever Young, are rich in bioavailable iron, B vitamins and the beauty-boosting anti-oxidant selenium. This delicious variety have been well researched for their promising health properties. Lentinan, a polysaccharide found in shiitakes, has even been studied for potential anti-cancer activity.

Crimini mushrooms (the brown buttons) also appear to have powerful anti-inflammatory properties. Rich in selenium and skin-clearing zinc, criminis help raise energizing glutathione levels in our cells. Crimini mushrooms also provide copper, which supports the anti-oxidant superoxide dismutase (SOD) to help squelch free-radical damage from urban living.

Mushrooms provide a rich, meaty texture to dishes and a beautifying boost to any meal. Tomorrow, we’ll explore new, exotic varieties in a recipe to get  you glowing.

What are your favorite mushroom tips or recipes?