Blueberries and Mushrooms

The challenge has begun! For my first week the super foods I have chosen to consume daily and integrate into my meals are blueberries and mushrooms. These are definitely two very different foods, yet with some creativity, both can be incorporated into many different types of meals. I decided to start off a little easier with something I have eaten before, blueberries. I used to eat them much more frequently, but now they aren’t as easy to find in the cafeteria; therefore, they have not been a part of my diet for a while. Blueberries are known to be one of the best berries you can consume. According to Joy Bauer, a nutrition and weight-loss expertise, “they are packed with flavonoids, which are natural compounds that protect the brain’s memory and are known for having the power to help prevent many diseases and reduce bad cholesterol” (Joy Bauer). Furthermore, blueberries are very high in water, keeping the body hydrated and full longer. I was able to purchase small packs of blueberries from our campus market. I mostly have been eating them with my breakfast or with my lunch. Blueberries are so flavorful on their own; however, they are also delicious when added to yogurt. I replaced the processed fruit sugar that comes with a Greek yogurt with fresh blueberries and realized the difference it had on me. I was fuller for much longer and was not craving a snack after. Also, I just felt much healthier than when I would eat the processed sugar. A friend recommended I try freezing blueberries and eating them for dessert rather than something sweet and unhealthy. After substituting them for a cookie or chocolate bar, I felt much better when I went to sleep at night. I wasn’t too full or crashing from too much sugar. Overall, I really think that adding blueberries into my diet will benefit me so much. Just after a few days of eating them I feel healthier and not as hungry.

My second super food that I added into my meals this week was mushrooms. I don’t think many people would have considered mushrooms to be a super food. However, because they are low in calories, rich in fiber, and fat free, many nutritionists have recently been calling them the new, unknown super food. They also contain Vitamin D and B Vitamins and are a good source of the antioxidant selenium. I remember my parents cooking them every now and then at home, but this week was the first time I really incorporated them into my meals by choice. I found that they added a lot of flavor to my salad and changed it up from having only vegetables in it. I also decided to try them in my omelet I had for breakfast. They had a different texture and taste because they were cooked, which I enjoyed more, and they also added more flavor to the rest of the meal. Mushrooms are also known for creating a healthy immune system and reducing risks of cancer. Overall, I found that I enjoyed mushrooms more when they were cooked rather than when they were raw. They added an extra bit of flavor to the meals I put them in, and now I want to continue to try them in different foods.

Check back next week to read about my experiences and stories with the next super foods I add into my meals. I hope to learn more about new foods and share my stories with all of you readers!