What is Nutritional Yeast?

Nutritional yeast is a deactivated yeast, often a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (otherwise known as Brewer’s Yeast/Baker’s Yeast), that is used as a food product. It is typically sold in the form of yellow flakes, granules, or powder and is popular among vegetarians and vegans because of its savory, umami flavor and ‘nutritional benefits’. Here are some key characteristics and uses of nutritional yeast:

Flavour

Nutritional yeast has a cheesy, nutty, or savory flavor, making it a common ingredient in vegan and vegetarian recipes as a cheese substitute or flavor enhancer. As mentioned above, it is typically in a flake/granule or powder form so it will not melt like a cheese would, but when mixed through some savoury foods like potato, egg, tofu, it adds a cheesy flavour.

Nutritional Benefits

In its natural form, the nutritional benefits include iron, B group vitamins and fibre.

Nutritional yeast is often fortified with vitamins and minerals which boost its iron content and more excitingly for vegans, it is usually fortified with vitamin B12, which is primarily found in animal products. It's also a good source of protein. Remember though, if it isn’t fortified, there will not be any vitamin B12 in it!

Keep in mind, any nutritional benefits are relative to the amount consumed and a single serving would typically be 1-2 tablespoons.

Versatility

Nutritional yeast can be sprinkled on a variety of dishes, such as popcorn, pasta, salads, soups, and roasted vegetables. It can also be used in sauces, dressings, and dips to add a cheesy flavor.

Should anyone avoid Nutritional Yeast?

If you or your child are sensitive to yeast products, then you should avoid nutritional yeast. Even though it is a de-activated version, the proteins are still present and may be problematic.