Worries solved

Q:

My girlfriend credits her recent 37-pound weight loss to swapping in mushrooms for half the ground meat in her bolognese, lasagna and taco recipes. I’d love results like that! Could it work for me?

A:

Absolutely! Mushrooms contain 3 grams of protein and a bevy of plant compounds shown to fire up metabolism and strengthen immunity—all for just 21 calories per cup. And since these vegetarian delights have a rich umami flavor and chewy mouthfeel reminiscent of ground beef, it’s easy to use them to satisfy cravings for hearty, meaty dishes for a fraction of the calories. The proof: In a study at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, subjects who ate 1 cup of mushrooms in place of meat daily consumed 123 fewer calories per day and lost an average of 7 pounds and 2.6 belly inches in six months without making any other diet changes. Even better, some women, like your friend, report this strategy helps them lose even faster—up to 3 pounds per week.

To get the benefits, sub in 11⁄2 lbs. of diced, sautéed mushrooms for each pound of ground beef called for in your favorite recipes.