title: Mushrooms-Biologically Distinct and Nutritionally Unique: Exploring a "Third Food Kingdom"
abstract: Mushrooms are fungi, biologically distinct from plant- and animal-derived foods (fruits, vegetables, grains, dairy, protein [meat, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, and seeds]) that comprise the US Department of Agriculture food patterns operationalized by consumer-focusedMyPlatemessages. Although mushrooms provide nutrients found in these food groups, they also have a unique nutrient profile. Classified into food grouping systems by their use as a vegetable, mushrooms' increasing use in main entrées in plant-based diets is growing, supporting consumers' efforts to follow dietary guidance recommendations. Mushrooms' nutrient and culinary characteristics suggest it may be time to reevaluate food groupings and health benefits in the context of 3 separate food kingdoms: plants/botany, animals/zoology, and fungi/mycology.
authors.affiliation: is a consultant to the Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Industries, Los Altos, California. She coordinates nutrition research programs for agriculture commodity boards.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jo Feeney
authors.affiliation: is a consultant to the Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Industries, Los Altos, California. She coordinates nutrition research programs for agriculture commodity boards.
authors.forename: Amy Myrdal
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.affiliation: is a consultant to the Food, Nutrition and Agriculture Industries, Los Altos, California. She coordinates nutrition research programs for agriculture commodity boards.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roupas
keywords: Mushrooms; culinary applications; fungi; health benefits; nutrient content; third food kingdom