. ................................................................................................................... Low-carb to Low-fat Rotation - $29 Read more Order Now! Complete Banta Diet jump-start: 30 plans sent to you by email every day plus 180 Banta recipes - $31 Read more Order Now! .................................................................................................................... The Little Known Benefits of Mushrooms They're not technically vegetables — without roots, leaves, or seeds, they're considered fungi — but mushrooms can be an invaluable part of your diet. Although they've gotten a bad reputation for being largely nutrient-free, they're actually a great source of selenium, a mineral that helps to boost your immune system and to decrease your risk of cancer. They're also extremely low in calories (about 20 in a cup), so they help you feel fuller at little cost to your weight loss program. With so many varieties to choose from, you can add mushrooms to soups and salads, or sauté them with a little bit of olive oil and seasonings for a wonderful side dish. Here are a few kinds to try: White: The most common variety found in grocery stores. Use them raw or cooked in salads and soups, or sauté them for a tasty side dish. Cooking brings out their natural woodsy flavor. Join Sonoma Diet - a brand new and flavorful weight loss plan that brings together the art and science of flavor and nutrition. Continues after the ads .................................................................................................................... .................................................................................................................... Crimini: These darker-colored mushrooms have a more intense, earthy flavor and can be used in place of white mushrooms in almost any recipe. They're best when cooked. Portobello: A larger variety of the crimini mushroom, portobellos are wonderful as an entrée and can be grilled, stir-fried, or stuffed and baked. Shiitake: These large, meaty mushrooms work well in stir-fries, soups, and side dishes, or as a meat substitute. They're also a wonderful addition to tomato sauces and pasta dishes. Sonoma Diet: Dr. Guttersen's Tip on Mushrools While it may be tempting to pick those beautiful wild mushrooms you see in your backyard or along your favorite wooded trail, don't do it. Many varieties are poisonous, even when eaten in small amounts. Brought to you by Sonoma Diet - a brand new and flavorful weight loss plan that brings together the art and science of flavor and nutrition. Join Sonoma Diet  .................................................................................................................... Low-carb to Low-fat Rotation - $29 Read more  Order Now! Complete Banta Diet jump-start: 30 plans sent to you by email every day plus 180 Banta recipes - $31 Read more  Order Now! .................................................................................................................... ....................................................................................................................