How To Get Most Benefits From Mishroms

The Hidden Benefits of Mushrooms

From Sonoma Diet

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 saute 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 saute them for a tasty side dish. Cooking brings out their natural woodsy flavor.

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.

More about mushrooms:

Sonoma Diet Recipe. Szechwan Shrimp

Vegetable and Tofu Stir Fry

Zone Diet Recipe. Florentine Filled Omelet Crepes

Vegetable Frittata, 6 carb grams, 170 calories, saturated fat 3.5 g

Grilled Chicken Breast With Grilled Vegetables

Chicken Breast Stuffed with Mushrooms & Peppers

Florentine Filled Omelet Crepes

Savory Stuffed Portobellos

Mushroom Omelet 2 carb grams. Sonoma Recipe

Roasted Vegetable Soup

Vegetarian Shepherd's Pie

Naturally Low Carb Recipe Collection

Nutrition Bars

All About Nutrition Bars

From Jillian Michaels

People always ask me what I think about nutrition bars. The simple answer is, I don't think they're "nutritious." In fact, there is nothing nutritious about most of them. Usually, they're full of processed carbs and chemicals. They have as many calories as -- if not more than -- a candy bar. And they're loaded with trans fats and sugar alcohol.

Some bars are lower in calories, and some don't have trans fats, but unfortunately this cannot be said for most of them. Honestly, if this is your idea of a snack, you might as well just go have a candy bar and get it out of your system. Yep, it's that troubling.

If you really want some nutrition in your snacks, try having a cup of dry whole grain cereal, a piece of fruit, or a few raw or dry-roasted nuts or a couple of cups of air-popped popcorn. Just eat real food.

At the end of the day, as long as your snack calories fit into your overall daily allowance, the choice is up to you. There is no right or wrong answer on this, only different choices. But you can choose wisely.

Why many Zone Diet meals call for Canadian bacon

Good Bacon, Bad Bacon

It's no surprise that bacon is restricted in the Zone -- it should be eaten infrequently or not all. But many meals call for Canadian bacon. Confused? Here's the distinction: Canadian bacon is so lean that you can eat it as you would skinless turkey breast. Turkey bacon is also a good choice. Go for these lean options when you're craving bacon, and make sure they're balanced with other foods.

To get you started, enjoy this French toast recipe and balance it with either an ounce of Canadian or turkey bacon:

French Toast Sticks

Ingredients
1 slice whole-grain bread
4 large egg whites or 1/2 cup egg substitute
Confectioners' sugar
1 cup strawberries, sliced
1 tablespoon slivered almonds
1 ounce extra-lean Canadian bacon or 3 slices turkey bacon

Instructions
Cut bread into sticks and soak in beaten eggs. (Scramble any egg mixture that remains.) Spray a nonstick pan with vegetable spray. Over medium-low heat, cook bread sticks, turning often until done. Roll cooked bread sticks in a little bit of confectioners' sugar. Top with sliced strawberries and slivered almonds. Cook bacon and serve on the side.