Mushrooms and meat are two excellent foods as both contain a lot of great nutritional value. However, they can’t replace each other as they vary greatly in the nutritional content that they can offer the body.
Table of Contents
The nutritional value of mushrooms
Mushrooms pack a ton of nutritional health benefits. There’s evidence that mushrooms can aid in improving heart health and cardiovascular health, while also playing a role in the prevention of cancer and diabetes.
Mushrooms stand out because they contain several nutrients that are lacking in many other plants, such as copper, iron, potassium, and phosphorous. They are also the only natural vegan source of vitamin D.
Here are some of the important dietary values in 1 cup (96g) of mushrooms:
- Fat: 8g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Protein: 3g
- Calories: 21
- Rich in folate, Vitamin C, Fiber, Selenium, Niacin, Riboflavin, Copper, Iron, Potassium, and Phosphate
While mushrooms are a fantastic vegetable with a lot to offer, they are lacking in one major macronutrient: protein.
The nutritional value of meat
Protein is perhaps the main reason that you can’t replace meat with mushrooms. While mushrooms have very little protein, meats have a lot. Furthermore, while all meats differ in their protein content, they all still contain high amounts of protein, especially when compared to mushrooms.
These are the amounts of protein in 100 grams of various types of meat:
- Chicken: 31g
- Beef: 27g
- Pork: 25g
- Lamb: 25g
- Fish: 20g
These numbers are estimates and will vary dependent on the cut and type of animal. Still, you can see all of them contain much more protein than the 3 grams per cup mushrooms can offer.
However, contrary to popular belief, meat does bring more to the table than just protein. All meat differs somewhat from the other types, with some offering nutritional benefits unique to itself. For example, fish is an excellent source for your omegas, while chicken contains high amounts of iron.
Just eat both!
Instead of worrying about if you can replace one for the other, just eat both! Mushrooms are commonly used as a delicious topping for chicken or a nice thick steak. Sauté them with some onions and you’ll have a delicious and nutritious addition to make your protein-packed meat a fantastic meal!
FAQs about protein
How much protein do I need to eat?
The recommended daily amount of protein is set at 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight. If you are athletic or do weight lifting, you should make sure to eat more. Around 1.4 to 2.0 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is a good amount.
What are some good sources of plant protein?
There are some much better choices of protein if you are following a vegan diet. Soy and quinoa are generally thought of as the best vegan protein sources, both in quality and quantity. Nuts and legumes are good choices.
What are some ways to make sure I eat enough protein?
Consuming a protein powder is probably the most efficient way to make sure you can hit your target for total protein intake. You should also make sure to include at least 20-25 grams of protein per meal. This may need to be higher according to your needs and how active you are.
