Mushrooms provide vitamin D during winter

Feeling like your “case of the Mondays” extends beyond the first day of the week lately? U.K. psychologist, Dr. Cliff Arnall warns that winter blues reach their peak this time of year thanks to dreary weather, letting go of New Year's resolutions, and the arrival of bills from holiday spending. But it's not all doom and gloom, a spirit boost may be as easy to reach as your local grocery store.

Nutrition expert and author, Keri Glassman, M.S., R.D., C.D.N., thrives on finding superfoods like mushrooms that carry extended benefits for health and happiness. “Eating the right foods does more than just make you healthier – they can help you feel better and look great too,” says Glassman. “Overcome sunless winter days by incorporating foods with natural vitamin D and high antioxidants into your diet –mushrooms are the only fruit or vegetable with vitamin D.”

Also known as the sunshine vitamin, D has been shown to enhance moods in addition to helping support a healthy immune system. Following are Glassman's easy tips to get more D in the winter:

• Start in the produce aisle. Toss a few of your favorite types of mushrooms into everyday meals, the top three selling mushroom varieties (button, crimini and portabella) have vitamin D ranging from 1 to 97 percent of the Daily Value (400 IU) per raw 84 gram serving.
• Salmon is another great source of D, not to mention calcium and omega-3 fatty acids. As an added benefit, salmon has also been shown to help calm the skin and make it glow.
• Find new recipes to spice up winter nights; the Mushroom Council offers tasty D-friendly suggestions like Mushroom and Egg Wrap, Mushroom Edamame and Salmon Penne, and Baja Salmon with Mushrooms.