The Hidden Benefits of Nutritional Yeast: What It Is and How to Use It

What Is Nutritional Yeast (Nooch)

If you like cheese, you're sure to like the taste of Nutritional Yeast.

This healthy boosting ingredient isn't just for vegans. If you're lactose intolerant or want to reduce the amount of fat in your diet, I recommend trying this product.

This cheesy-tasting wonder is also known as "Nooch," In this article, you'll discover the best uses for Nutritional Yeast, how it's grown and processed, and you'll find a treasure trove full of nutrients to keep you in top condition.

Ways to Include Nutritional Yeast in Your Diet

There is power in this superfood. If you're looking for longevity, limiting toxins in your body or just feeling bad for no apparent reason, you'll want to give this wonder food a try. It's totally versatile and can be added to smoothies, sprinkled on cereal or eggs and added to any recipe in place of cheese. So for a healthier body and mind let me introduce you to my new friend, Nutritional Yeast.

Give Your Body High-Grade Fuel

What's not to like about this super-healthy food? Just look at these nutritional benefits:

• Need B vitamins? You'll get a load of them. The B vitamin family is critical in maintaining optimal health and energizing you.
• Nutritional yeast helps to maintain good food metabolism. Metabolism converts the fuel in the food we eat into the energy needed to power everything we do, from moving to thinking to growing.
• You'll make your nervous system happy with each teaspoonful of this cheese-like flavor food. When you think of your brain, spinal cord, sensory organs, and all the nerves that connect the body, this is your nervous system.
• Your body needs to regenerate the red blood cells, which is one way to do it. The primary function of red blood cells is to carry oxygen from the lungs to all body tissues.
• Want more protein? Forget about processed protein powders. This gem is a complete protein, with 55% high-quality protein. Protein builds and repairs body tissue.
• You'll find 18 amino acids in nutritional yeast. Wow! Amino acids are the building blocks of protein.
• Your body will love you for the 15 minerals in flake or powdered form. The body uses minerals to regulate your heartbeat, build bones and make hormones.
• If you suffer from intestinal problems, nutritional yeast maintains ideal intestinal ecology.
• We all know the importance of a healthy liver. It improves liver health and function.
• It improves blood production.
• It helps in maintaining optimum cholesterol levels.
• The protein and fiber content promote satiety at meals. A small serving of nutritional yeast provides 3 grams of fiber.

Next up: The Benefits Of Using Nutritional Yeast.

Nutritional Yeast: Just Look At These Benefits!

Why Include Nutritional Yeast in Your Diet?

Nutritional yeast is a plant-based source of protein. Although it's a staple in many vegan kitchens, Nutritional Yeast has become popular with non-vegans.

One reason for this popularity is the protein and fiber found within. It helps to feel full quicker and longer - a real plus for anyone watching their weight.

And, if you're looking for a way to boost your immune system, reduce cholesterol levels and protect yourself from cancer, look no further. The compounds beta-1,3 glucan, trehalose, mannan, and glutathione in this wonder food do the trick.

This is reason enough to make it a daily staple. I sprinkle a helping on my eggs and enjoy it on kale.

Curious about how Nutritional Yeast is grown? Come with me, and we'll take a quick tour beginning with the seeding process.

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How Is Nutritional Yeast Grown And Processed?

• First comes the seeding: All Lesaffre (marketer for yeast products) nutritional yeast products start with a pure parent yeast culture of non-genetically modified Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
• Technicians prepare the culture in the laboratory following strict quality control procedures. The seed yeast is grown in sterile flasks and then transferred to large stainless steel fermentation tanks, where it will be cultivated.

• Cultivation: During the cultivation process, the temperature, pH, and "diet" of the yeast are carefully controlled to create optimal growing conditions. The yeast is "fed" a purified medium of nutrients and air.

• Harvesting: Once the growing process is complete, the fermented yeast liquid is passed through a centrifuge, concentrating and thoroughly washing the yeast cells. The resultant product is an off-white liquid called "nutritional yeast cream."

• Fortification: The Nutritional Yeast cream is then pasteurized, making the yeast inactive. While this is happening, vitamins such as B or minerals may be added to enhance the nutritional profile of the yeast.

• Drying: Finally, the yeast is dried on roller drum dryers and sized. Then, it is ready to ship to customers.

• Each batch of Nutritional Yeast is produced on a mixture of cane and beet molasses for seven days. B vitamins are added during the process to give the yeast the nutrients it needs to grow.

• When harvested, the yeast is washed, pasteurized, and dried on roller drum dryers before it is ready for market. It is then used by food manufacturers in food products, added to boost the nutrient levels in pet foods, and packaged for sale in natural food stores.

The Difference Between Active Yeast And Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional Yeast and Active Yeast (Brewers Yeast) are not the same things. They are entirely different.

Active yeast works as a leavening agent in bread and other baked goods. Use it to make your baked goods rise when baking bread or cinnamon rolls.

On the other hand, nutritional yeast doesn't make things rise, so you won't want to use it for that purpose. Here's what it will do:

• Adding it to a sauce or topping it gives a nutty-cheesy flavor.
• Sprinkled popcorn gives a delicious cheese taste. Much healthier than adding theater butter. (See more about theater butter in the section below.)

This yeast is different from the yeast you use in baking because it doesn't foam or froth. Because it's inactive, it can't cause dough or bread to ferment or rise. You can often find nutritional yeast in the bulk bin of your local health food store.

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae is a species of yeast. It has been instrumental in winemaking, baking, and brewing since way before you were born - during ancient times. It is believed to have been originally isolated from the skin of grapes.

Saccharomyces Cerevisiae, known as baker's yeast, is one of the many model organisms studied worldwide. Because its genome has been sequenced, its genetics are easily manipulated, and it is easy to maintain in the lab, this yeast species has been an invaluable resource in understanding fundamental cellular processes such as cell division and cell death.

It's one of the most intensively studied eukaryotic model organisms in molecular and cell biology, much like Escherichia coli as the mode bacterium. It is the microorganism behind the most common type of fermentation. Saccharomyces Cerevisiae cells are round to oval, 5–10 um in diameter. It reproduces by a division process known as budding.

How Unhealthy Is Theater Popcorn?

I treat myself to movies, on occasion but with one big exception. I never ask for butter on popcorn and even skip the popcorn entirely. Here's why:

• A small popcorn without butter from AMC will cost you 225 calories and 11 grams of fat. If this surprises you, just look at the following fact.
• Medium size is loaded with 430 calories and 20 grams of fat.
• A large-size popcorn without butter is packed with 1,030 calories and 41 grams of fat.

It gets even scarier if your favorite movie is shown at Regal Cinemas.

• A small un-buttered popcorn will range from 325 calories and 27 grams of fat to 670 calories and 34 grams of fat. Both AMC and Regal Cinemas pop their corn using coconut oil.

Now here's the scoop on buttered popcorn.

• The butter you're digesting isn't butter at all. It is non-hydrogenated soybean oil that's been colored and flavored, and each tablespoon contains about 130 calories.

Surprising information, isn't it? I smuggle in my popcorn sprinkled with a small amount of sea salt and a tablespoon of nutritional yeast powder or flakes. The taste is excellent, and it's so much healthier.

How I Discovered Nutritional Yeast

I was first introduced to this magical nutritional ingredient by my own family. It was on mother's day, and as part of the celebration, a vegan lasagna dinner was thoughtfully prepared for me. Let me tell you; this spinach lasagna was to die for. I couldn't believe this dish was cheese free. I could taste what I thought was Parmesan cheese bursting with a flavor against my tongue.

To my surprise, I learned that what I thought was real cheese had been replaced by nutritional yeast. Now I'm a believer.

Get The Scoop On Nutritional Yeast

10 Key Facts To Remember About Nutritional Yeast

Let's take a minute to review a few important facts about Nutritional Yeast.

1. Good alternative for lactose-intolerant diet.
2. Has a cheesy taste.
3. Is a toxin fighter.
4. Helps to maintain optimal cholesterol levels.
5. Builds the immune system
6. Loaded with B vitamins.
7. Promotes a healthy liver
8. High in Protein
9. High in Fiber
10. May help to promote healthy eyes.

Although Nutritional Yeast is rich in certain nutrients, it's deficient in others that we need for a good balance. Nutritional Yeast has a high phosphorous content and can deplete the body of calcium. Lately, some manufactures include added calcium which I personally appreciate.

What Will You Do?

Summing It Up

Most of you probably haven't heard about Nutritional Yeast until now. I highly recommend you give it a try. I add it to mashed potatoes, cauliflower, and other vegetables for an excellent buttery taste without the fat or calories. I also use it as a salt replacement.

Please do not overdo it. Gradually introduce this food to your diet and get the 'green light from your PCP (Primary Care Physician.)

Nutritional Yeast can be found in Health Food Stores and even major food chains such as Whole Foods and Walmart. It can also be found online. I recommend ordering it from a good, qualified source.

For a gluten-free diet, Nutritional Yeast contains no gluten or MSG.

As with many foods, there can be side effects. Always check with your primary doctor before introducing Nutritional Yeast into your present diet. If you get the ok signal, take it easy when first using Nutritional Yeast. Do it gradually. Also, please heed the following:

• Itching may occur in some people, along with bloating and gas formation.
• People with mold allergy also find it difficult to digest and may experience stomach cramps due to its similarity to mold.
• This Yeast also has high amounts of glutamate (similar to MSG.)
• Anyone dealing with yeast infection should avoid using this product in any form.
• Check the label to make sure calcium has been added.

Healthy Eating!

Warning: Always check with your doctor before introducing Nutritional Yeast into your diet.

Which Answer Do You Choose?

Resource and Useful Information

http://www.thedailymeal.com/how-unhealthy-movie-theater-popcorn

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharomyces_cerevisiae

http://www.jove.com/science-education/5081/an-introduction-to-saccharomyces-cerevisiae

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metabolism

Thank you for being here. I invite you to share your thoughts and suggestions in the comment section below. I read every comment and will leave my reply.

May you enjoy good health in every way.

Audrey Hunt aka vocalcoach

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and does not substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, and/or dietary advice from a licensed health professional. Drugs, supplements, and natural remedies may have dangerous side effects. If pregnant or nursing, consult with a qualified provider on an individual basis. Seek immediate help if you are experiencing a medical emergency.

© 2016 Audrey Hunt

Comments

Audrey Hunt (author) from Pahrump NV on November 23, 2019:

Gregory

How wonderful to hear that you're willing to include nutritional yeast in your diet! I just finished a bowl of organic popcorn sprinkled with my supply of nutritional yeast.

Also, thanks for recommending the website for ordering nutritional yeast. I'll be sure to give it a try.

Healthy eating!

Gregory DeVictor from Pittsburgh, PA on November 23, 2019:

Audrey, I reread this article to learn all that I could again about nutritional yeast. The nutritional data that you included in your article is fantastic, and you cover the topic thoroughly. I am going to purchase some nutritional yeast from VitaCost.com, an online retailer that I’ve used before and trust.

Audrey Hunt (author) from Pahrump NV on February 24, 2019:

Miebakagh

Thank you for the information regarding improved eye care. As I researched the health benefits for nutritional yeast, the eyes were not mentioned. I will do further research and when I come upon information to support improved eye care, I will include this in my article.

Thank you for being here and for bringing this to my attention.

Peace and joy to you.

Miebakagh Fiberesima from Port Harcourt, Rivers State, NIGERIA. on February 23, 2019:

Hello, Audey Hunt, I do do not know one should add nutritional yeast to pop-corns, though I add it to soups, salads, rice, and bean. I will dry it on my popcorn today. Thanks for sharing and pointing out all the wonderful and natural health benefits. But I do not ever notice you point out eye health in the story. A good nutritional yeast will significantly improve eye health. Many thanks, and best to you.

Audrey Hunt (author) from Pahrump NV on July 04, 2018:

Hi Gregory