Portioning shiitake in a rotation diet

Most of us would probably think about the risk of deficiency when considering a home-cooked diet, but we shouldn’t forget the other side of the coin: excesses. A rotation diet, even one that benefits from the law of large numbers, still needs to be mindful of both deficiency and excess, even without the nutritional cage.

The point is that many ingredients that are highly beneficial can also carry a minor health warning. Shiitake mushrooms are a good example, providing beta-glucans and a range of bioactive compounds that support immune function and oxidative balance. Shiitake are also a source of a naturally occurring amino acid called ergothioneine, relatively rare in whole foods, whose cytoprotective and antioxidant effects have even led to interest in its potential to support healthy ageing[1] (popularly known as the “longevity vitamin”). So they are definitely worthy of a place in the pantry.

Micro addition

But shiitake are also relatively high in copper. That doesn’t make them a problem – copper is an essential nutrient. It just means they need to be used judiciously, as a micro-addition to the main ingredients.

These handy shiitake ice cubes are a practical and easy way of controlling portion size. Individual cubes can be thawed and added to a meal with other (non-antagonistic) ingredients[2]. Or even mixed with kefir to form a snack or ices. And you don’t need to limit this portioning idea to shiitake: spinach is another ingredient that works well here.

It’s a very simple process. The only time-consuming part is the soaking. Here, I soaked some dried shiitake mushrooms (in venison broth, but water or any other broth works just as well) for 24 hours, but overnight will do.

I then microwaved them in a glass container. Although I hadn’t thought of it before (shame on me!), the microwave is a convenient and adequate method of preparing some vegetables. Of course you can also cook them in a pan if you prefer.

A couple of practical pointers for the microwave option: take the mushrooms out of the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature; use a microwave-safe dish; make sure there’s enough fluid to avoid them drying out; heat in bursts until soft and fully heated through, ensuring they reach a visible steaming point. Microwaving in the broth will fully cook the shiitake (they don’t need long once soaked) and retain many of the soluble compounds already in the liquid, while keeping the structure soft for use as a purée.

Once cooked, they can be blended with some of the soaking liquid (or broth) to form a cohesive purée. This can be refrigerated for short-term use or, if prepared in a larger batch, frozen in small portion-sized cubes that can be stored and taken out individually as needed.

       

Each cube becomes a measured addition rather than a main ingredient. It’s a simple shift, but it changes how the ingredient behaves in the diet. Layering in a small portion avoids stacking across meals and keeps copper exposure moderated within a rotation diet, while still making use of its functional properties.

And practically, it works. The cubes are easy to dose: they thaw quickly at room temperature (while you’re out for a walk, for example) and can be added to meals without any further preparation, integrating easily with whatever else is in the bowl.

Just a convenient way of keeping things balanced without overthinking it.

And lest we forget – this is also about taste. Even the scrapings from the blender can be mixed with a little kefir for a treat.

       

References:

[1] Behof WJ, Whitmore CA, Haynes JR, Rosenberg AJ, Tantawy MN, Peterson TE, Harrison FE, Beelman RB, Pham W. A novel antioxidant ergothioneine PET radioligand for in vivo imaging applications. Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 16;11(1):18450. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97925-w. PMID: 34531467; PMCID: PMC8446031.

[2] Keep an eye on overall diet to make sure levels stay in balance and avoid excessive intake. When pairing, look at copper-light ingredients like beef, vegetables, white fish and salmon and avoid combining with shellfish or beef liver.

 

Important Considerations:

  • Always consult your veterinarian before making any significant dietary changes, particularly where there are pre-existing health conditions or dietary restrictions.
  • If you are feeding commercial food, check the label for ingredients before giving more. Excessive intake of any foods can have adverse effects.
  • Ensure (where possible) that you use high-quality, organic products specifically formulated for pets (or better still, human grade ingredients) to avoid any potential adverse effects.
  • Introduce new foods gradually to avoid adverse effects such as gastrointestinal upset or diarrhoea.
  • I provide nutritional information purely as a helpful guide. Nutritional information on ingredients is obtained from the US Department of Agriculture’s FoodData Central site (https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/index.html) and any nutritional information provided in recipes is based on an online calculator: calories and other information will vary based on brands, ingredients and other factors.
  • Check nutrient levels and recommendations for your dog’s weight, age and activity. For example this nutritional guideline produced by FEDIAF.
  • I am not a professional canine nutritionist but supporting research is cited.
  • The recipes shared were created by me and tested in my kitchen – and tasted and approved by our doggy friends!