March is National Nutrition Month, a time to focus on building healthy eating habits and learning more about the foods that fuel our bodies. At IU Dining, that means highlighting ingredients that are delicious, nutritious, and sustainable.
One ingredient that checks all those boxes? The humble mushroom.
From pizza toppings to stir-fries, mushrooms appear in dishes across IU Dining locations. Beyond their rich flavor, mushrooms provide nutrients that support energy, brain function and immune health.
Quick mushroom facts
Before you grab your next slice of pizza or stir-fry bowl, here are a few reasons mushrooms deserve a spot on your plate:
- Energy: B vitamins help convert food into energy, which is perfect for long study sessions.
- Brain support: Nutrients like riboflavin and folate help support focus and cognitive function.
- Immune health: Antioxidants and selenium help your body fight illness during busy semesters.
- Heart and muscle health: Potassium supports muscle function and healthy blood pressure.
- Low-calorie and filling: Fiber helps keep you full longer.
- Sustainable: Mushrooms require far fewer natural resources to produce than many animal proteins.
Where to find mushrooms at IU Dining
Mushrooms appear in dishes across campus dining locations:
- Quarry Pie (IMU) Mushroom pizza special in April
- The Vault Pub (IMU) Spinach–mushroom flatbread special in April
- Salad bars Fresh mushrooms are typically available on the salad bars at:
- Collins Eatery
- Goodbody Eatery
- IMU Tudor Room
- IMU The Mix
- McNutt Dining Hall
- Wright Dining Hall
Cooked mushrooms appear regularly at:
- Forest Stone Grill offers sautéed mushrooms several times per week.
- Spice Road uses mushrooms in veggie stir fry dishes.
- Union Street Center adds mushrooms to the Garden Lover’s Pizza and makes them available as a sandwich topping.
A more sustainable food choice
Mushrooms are also one of the most sustainably produced agricultural foods in the United States.
Producing 1 kilogram of mushrooms uses about 322 liters of water, while producing 1 kilogram of beef requires more than 15,000 liters. Mushrooms also require far less land and produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions, making them a more environmentally friendly protein option.
Discover the power of nutrition at IU
National Nutrition Month is a great time to explore the foods available across IU Dining locations and discover how small choices can support your health.
Next time you visit an IU Dining location, consider adding mushrooms to your meal. You might discover a new favorite while fueling your body with nutrients that support energy, focus, and overall wellness throughout the semester.