Until recently, we were sure that mushrooms are not only a very tasty product, but also a complete substitute for meat in terms of the amount of protein. However, in recent years, the voices of doctors and nutritionists have been louder and louder, claiming that mushrooms are, rather, vegetables, and therefore they cannot be attributed to sources of protein.
There is actually a lot of protein in mushrooms, and in addition, this protein is similar in structure and composition to animal proteins. It contains amino acids, trace elements, phosphorus, iron, potassium, and vitamins.
The protein content in different mushrooms is different. It depends on the variety of mushrooms, the place where they grew, age, even how the mushrooms were cooked. For example, young fungi are not only tastier but also contain more protein. And if you want to consume as much mushroom protein as possible, eat the caps, not the legs.
Still, can mushrooms be considered a full-fledged source of protein that can replace meat? As we have already said, the protein content in different types of mushrooms is different. The leaders on this list are champignons. They contain 4.3 grams of protein per 100 grams of product. In second place are porcini mushrooms: 3, 7 squirrels. On the third - aspen mushrooms: 3, 3. But everyone's favorite chanterelles are outsiders: 100 grams of these mushrooms contains only 1.6 grams of protein.
What about carbohydrates? After all, it is no coincidence that doubts arose as to which class of products should be attributed to mushrooms. Let's start with the "protein" leaders. Champignons contain 1 gram of carbohydrates per 100 grams of mushrooms. Well, practically, meat. White - 3, 4 grams, aspen mushrooms - 3, 7. "Trailing" - chanterelles - 2, 2 grams per 100.
We compare and we can draw the following conclusions: champignons are quite capable of replacing meat, but other mushrooms are not. In white and aspen mushrooms, the content of proteins and carbohydrates is almost the same: 3, 7/3, 4 in white and 3, 3/3, 7 in aspen mushrooms. This is, so to speak, meat with a side dish. Actually, chanterelles can also be attributed to this category, only here there is more side dish.
In total, we examined 1 types of the most popular mushrooms: porcini mushrooms, champignons, chanterelles, boletus mushrooms, russula, saffron milk caps, boletus mushrooms, mushrooms, milk mushrooms, aspen mushrooms, oyster mushrooms. And only in champignons there is a serious predominance of proteins over carbohydrates. In other cases, either the amount of proteins and carbohydrates is approximately equal, or some of the components predominates, but insignificantly.
So, if you want to replace meat with mushrooms, eat champignons. In other cases, do not forget: mushrooms are both meat and a side dish, which means you should think carefully before adding fried potatoes or pasta to them. But seriously, it is definitely impossible to classify mushrooms as "proteins" or "carbohydrates". Therefore, if you are calculating the nutritional value of a product for, check it separately for each type of mushroom.
