Mushroom is referred to as a vegetable meat because it ________.
A. Contains proteins
B. Contains vitamins and carbohydrates
C. Contains folic acid and amino acids
D. Is rich in proteins and minerals

Hint:Mushrooms are multicellular fungi having an umbrella-shaped body. Mushrooms composed of three main parts called the pileus or head, stalk, and mycelium. These are used as a source of the staple diet. They are very nutritious and resemble meat in their nutritional composition.

Complete answer:The mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of macrofungi and are the chief recyclers of the planet. A typical mushroom body consists of a stalk or stipe and a cap called pileus. Mushrooms can be poisonous or non-poisonous. The poisonous mushrooms generally have colorful bodies. The non-poisonous ones like Pleurotus, Lentinus, Agaricus, etc. are edible and are used in various cuisines. Button mushroom is the most common edible species of mushroom. The family of mushrooms is called Basidiomycota. Mushrooms have rich nutritive value. They contain high levels of protein, vitamin B and D, sodium, potassium, and phosphorus.

Mushrooms are typically low in calories. They have high fiber and contain various important vitamins and minerals. Some mushrooms also exhibit medicinal values. They are known as vegetable meat particularly due to high protein levels and essential amino acids as required from meat. The dry weight of mushrooms accounts for $10%-30%$ protein. Thus, they are consumed by humans for their good nutritional values and medicinal effects. Mushrooms also contain selenium. Thus, they are antioxidants and prevent cell damage.

So, the correct answer is option A.

Note: The fiber mushrooms help to lower cholesterol and serve as a booster for the digestive system. Copper in mushrooms helps in absorbing more oxygen by the body and the creation of more red blood cells. Potassium in mushrooms is an extremely important mineral that functions to regulate blood pressure. Some mushrooms also have anti-cancerous properties.