Arky...about mushrooms

[jaurequi]

Hey, Arky, been wanting to ask you your opinion on mushrooms -- raw okay, you think? The conventional wisdom is just about split 50/50!
I'm leaning toward them being unsafe in large amounts raw.

Thanks.
Best,

[Arky]

jaurequi, I must admit I'm still undecided about mushrooms. I like them but I don't eat them very often, despite their B-vitamin content. When I do eat them, I am willing to eat them raw, but, although criticisms do not overly-concern me, I am not entirely convinced that mushrooms are nutritious enough to amply outweigh the arguments of fungi-critics. In other words, I don't eat them regularly because I don't feel they offer enough, nutritionally, for me to happily brush aside criticisms and eat them with wild abandon! :)

As a matter of fact, these are a classic example of the old recommendation to eat a wide and varied diet without focusing excessively on any one foodstuff. If mushrooms disappeared from produce shops tomorrow I wouldn't feel cheated. If green leafies did, then I'd be SERIOUSLY worried! If you like them, eat them, and don't be overly-concerned, provided you eat them only intermittently rather than all the time. That way, you get a little benefit with (perhaps) a little 'negative' (or perhaps no negative at all :)), and no harm done. I'd be more worried about eating one stale peanut (aflatoxin potential) than a plateful of fresh mushrooms.

J.

[jaurequi]

Hehe, :) Yea, well, it seems that the jury is still out. Problem is I *love* mushrooms, lol. I do eat them everyday!
I can eliminate them,though; no problem. I don't have any problems giving things up; it's just that I really like them in my salads.
so far no effects that I can determine; but, then again, TONS of people doing harmful things think they feel great, lol. The negative effects don't show for years sometimes.

Oh, my, a world without greens?!! I'd be devastated! Truly.

By the way, I have to thank you for mentioning in one of your posts about bell peppers being an irritant that may cause joint issues: I suddenly developed a dull ache in my feet (felt arthritic-like with shooting pangs) and I realized that I had recently been eating the equivalent of a whole bell pepper every day. I eliminated them and immediately felt relief :). Interestingly, I added a small amount back (in my dressings) and have had no problems; but I'll keep it to occasional usage.

Best,