Are sautéed mushrooms good for you? 

  • By: Emma
  • Date: July 28, 2022
  • Time to read: 7 min.

Table of Contents

Are sautéed mushrooms good for you?

This question is asked a lot, ”are sautéed mushrooms good?” Well, the answer is both yes and no. Although sautéed mushrooms are an excellent dish, they may not be as healthy as you think. This article will explore the benefits of eating them while also looking at some potential disadvantages that could come with them. 

Let’s get started!

Read More: Can you saute beets?

What are mushrooms?

But what are mushrooms? Mushrooms are fungi that grow above the ground and they belong to the group known as thallophytes. They can be considered a vegetable but they are closer to animals than plants, which is why most people refer to them as vegetables or fungi. There are many different types of mushrooms; some of the most common examples include a button, crimini, oyster, shiitake, and portabella.

They have a wide variety of flavors ranging from sweet to savory depending on the type of mushroom that is being cooked with.

But not every type of mushroom is healthy. This will be discussed later in this blog post. For now, Let’s look at some great benefits of eating mushrooms.

10 Benefits of eating sautéed mushrooms

There are a couple of eating mushrooms. Here’s the list:

1. Low in fat

One of the reasons why sautéed mushrooms make such a healthy choice is because they contain very little saturated fats. In fact, they only hold about .3 grams of fat per 100 grams of serving size. This makes them one of the healthier choices for people on a diet who still want to enjoy a delicious meal.

2. High in nutrients and vitamins

They also contain various minerals such as selenium, zinc, potassium, and riboflavin. Just 100 grams of sautéed mushrooms contains 14% of your daily recommended value of selenium and 28% for riboflavin which means that eating them can keep you healthier for longer.

3. Nutritious and filler-free

They are also very nutritious without containing too many calories. This makes it easier to fill up your stomach without overdoing it on the calories that stick around long after you’ve eaten a meal, making you feel tired and sluggish throughout the day.

4. Helps to prevent cancer

They are also incredibly high in antioxidants which have been shown to help reduce the risk of certain cancers forming. The selenium found in mushrooms is thought to be an important part of this process.

5. May help you lose weight

Although there isn’t yet any evidence that eating sautéed mushrooms can speed up your metabolism, there is evidence that they may help to suppress your appetite. This can be very beneficial when trying to lose weight because it allows you to feel full sooner and for longer periods of time without overeating.

6. Can boost the immune system

Another thing sautéed mushrooms are renowned for is their ability to enhance the immune system. They contain Vitamin D which has been shown to enhance the immune system by fighting against bacterial infections.

7. Helps to prevent Alzheimer’s disease

This has been attributed to the presence of L-ergothioneine which is an antioxidant that helps to protect the neurons in your brain. These antioxidants are one of the main reasons why sautéed mushrooms can help fight off Alzheimer’s disease and dementia.

8. May aid in diabetes control

By 2016, it was predicted that more than 400 million people would be affected by diabetes and the number continues to rise. This can lead to serious health problems such as blindness, nerve damage, kidney failure, heart disease, and more. Eating sautéed mushrooms may help control blood sugar levels which may help with managing or preventing this disease.

9. Controls high blood pressure

Mushrooms are also known to have anti-hypertensive properties which can help reduce blood pressure levels. This can help keep the heart healthy by maintaining an optimal level of blood flow throughout the body.

10. Source of iron

Iron is used to transport oxygen from your lungs all the way through your body and it also aids in making the protein hemoglobin which helps red blood cells to remain healthy and strong. This makes iron very important for overall health and sautéed mushrooms are a good source of this mineral.

Read More: Can you sauté onions without oil?

Reasons why sautéed mushrooms are not good for everyone

As mentioned above, sautéed mushrooms are good for many people but they may not be the best choice of food for everyone.

Gastric issues

People who are particularly vulnerable to gastric upset should avoid eating sautéed mushrooms because they can often cause cramps and nausea. This is why it’s recommended that if you plan on cooking them yourself, you should cook them at a temperature below 60 degrees Celsius.

Mushroom poisoning

Another reason why sautéed mushrooms may not be right for everyone is that there are certain types of mushrooms that can cause serious illness and even death if consumed. For example, Amanita phalloides which commonly known as the Death Cap mushroom contains a poison called amanitin and just 1 gram could lead to liver failure.

Headache

Those who suffer from migraines may also want to avoid sautéed mushrooms as they can cause a migraine in these people. This is just one example of how sautéed mushrooms may not be suitable for those with conditions such as asthma, epilepsy, hay fever, and more.

Skin allergies

People who have skin allergies should also avoid eating sautéed mushrooms as they can cause a reaction in those with sensitive skin. This is because the spores of these mushrooms may become airborne and irritate the skin and throat.

Difficult to digest

Mushrooms contain certain substances that your body cannot digest but if cooked correctly, the poison contained within these mushrooms is neutralized. This is why it’s very important to cook sautéed mushrooms first before you eat them as raw mushrooms can be difficult for some people to digest.

Discolored mushrooms

Some mushrooms are discolored because of how they were grown or because they have started to age. This is because the pigments in these mushrooms will slowly break down and change color over time which can make them look unappetizing.

In addition, mushrooms with dark spots on them may become mushy and tough which makes them unhealthy to eat.

Are sautéed potatoes healthy?

Again, the answer is yes and no. Sautéed mushrooms are healthy to eat except when too much oil is used or when sautéing is done improperly.

Health benefits of sautéed potatoes

1. Healthy source of carbohydrates

Carbohydrates are the most basic unit in food and they provide your body with energy, structure, and support which is why sautéed potatoes can be extremely important to your health. This is because it provides you with an abundance of carbs which makes them good for just about everyone’s health.

2. Healthy source of protein

Also, sautéed potatoes are a particularly good source of protein which makes them an important part of your diet. This is because proteins help to boost your immune system and keep you healthy by strengthening the cells in your body.

3. Helps strengthen bones

The minerals found within potatoes make it an ideal food for strengthening bones and these minerals can help to prevent various bone diseases such as arthritis.

4. Good source of fiber

Sautéed potatoes also contain fiber which can help to boost your digestion and lower the risk of various digestive diseases such as gastric ulcers.

5. Good source of antioxidants

Sautéed potatoes also contain a number of antioxidants that can help to destroy free radicals in your body which is very good for your overall health.

Reasons why sautéed potatoes are not good for everyone

Obesity

If potatoes are sautéed with too much oil or butter, they can cause you to gain unwanted weight which is why it’s important to find a sautéed potatoes recipe that does not use too much fat.

Gastrointestinal problems

If you have gastrointestinal problems or are lactose intolerant, sautéed potatoes may be difficult for your stomach to digest. This is because they contain high levels of carbohydrates which is very unhealthy for your digestive system.

Allergic reactions

Lastly, some people have allergic reactions to potatoes and they may experience an asthma attack or hives after eating them. This is because they are rich in certain chemicals that can cause these types of issues for those with sensitive skin.

Increase in insulin levels

Eating sautéed potatoes is a huge no-no for diabetic patients as they contain high levels of carbohydrates which can cause your insulin levels to skyrocket.

Unhealthy for lactose-intolerant people

Yes, you read that right! If the person is not lactose intolerant then regular sautéed potatoes are perfectly fine to eat. If lactose intolerance is an issue, there are certain ways you can minimize the impact of lactose on your body.

How to make sautéed potatoes healthy

Firstly, it is important to sauté potatoes with olive oil instead of butter or vegetable oil which can reduce the amount of lactose in them.

Secondly, you should eat them with some dairy products such as milk or cheese because foods that are high in fat tend to slow down the digestion of lactose.

In short, to make sautéed potatoes healthy you should not only sauté them with less oil but you should also eat them with other dairy products.

Read More: Will sauté on instant pot boil?

Conclusion

In summary, sautéed mushrooms are generally good for you, unless you are allergic or have sautéed the wrong species of mushrooms.

In addition, sautéed potatoes are generally safe to eat although they can cause issues for some people. It is important to keep in mind the above-mentioned recommendations while making sautéed potatoes or mushrooms.

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