Save time & money with our NEW Meal Planner!

Save time & money with Meal Planner!

Why the Blenditarian Movement is a Win-Win For Healthy Eaters

Published February 13, 2020
3 minute read
A person slices white mushrooms on a cutting board with a knife. Some fresh parsley leaves are scattered on the countertop nearby. MyFitnessPal Blog
Published February 13, 2020
3 minute read
In This Article

When it comes to losing weight and eating healthfully, many people tend to turn to the latest fad diet. However, these are often restrictive and end up backfiring, creating a yo-yo dieting trend. At first glance, you might think the blenditarian movement is just another fad diet, but it’s not restrictive — in fact, it’s actually about adding to your plate and making healthy, eco-friendly choices by reducing meat consumption.

The blenditarian movement is an initiative from The Mushroom Council that encourages people to add finely chopped mushrooms to ground meat. It’s intended to help people curb their meat consumption, save money and add more plant-based foods to their daily intake — without ditching meat altogether.

SHOULD YOU TRY IT?

Since it’s more a way of cooking than an actual diet, anyone could follow this practice when it makes sense. And if you’ve been trying to cut back on meat while upping your veggie intake, this is for you. Adding mushrooms to ground meat dishes can lower the total calorie count per serving while still giving it a hearty, meat-like texture. In addition, mushrooms provide several important nutrients such as B-vitamins, potassium, phosphorus, copper and selenium, which support metabolism, immunity, blood pressure regulation and bone health.
Blending ground meat and mushrooms can help people eat less meat, especially red meat. Population studies show consuming large amounts of red meat is associated with various chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes and some forms of cancer, which is why health experts generally agree limiting red meat is a good thing.
Finally, embracing the blenditarian movement offers a way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Not only are mushrooms less expensive than meat pound-for-pound, but they’re also more eco-friendly since they require fewer resources to produce.

HOW TO COOK THE BLENDITARIAN WAY

The mushroom-to-meat ratio varies depending on what you’re looking to cook. Here are some suggested proportions:

  • 25-75 mushroom-to-meat ratio in burgers and meatloaf to maintain the texture and integrity
  • 50-50 mushroom-to-meat ratio for tacos and burritos
  • 70-30 mushroom-to-meat ratio for pasta sauces such as bolognese

That being said, you can always experiment with adding a little more or less to achieve your desired consistency.

The information in this article is provided solely for informational purposes. This information is not medical advice and should not be relied upon when making medical decisions, or to diagnose or treat a health condition or illness. You should seek the advice of a physician or a medical professional before beginning any dietary programs or plans, exercise regimen or any other fitness or wellness activities.

About the Authors

Meet the people behind the post

Related articles

More inspiration for you

8 minute read

Have you ever wondered about the signs of protein deficiency? In spite of the

12 minute read

Sugar makes everything taste better. But signs you’re eating too much sugar include feeling

12 minute read
Learn how to build a daily vitamin routine with a food-first approach. Discover the
3 minute read
This guide to fiber has all the science-backed information and expert advice you need
In This Article
Recent posts
8 minute read

Have you ever wondered about the signs of protein deficiency? In spite of the

12 minute read

Sugar makes everything taste better. But signs you’re eating too much sugar include feeling

12 minute read
Learn how to build a daily vitamin routine with a food-first approach. Discover the