7 Benefits Of Nutritional Yeast And How To Use It In Your Food

7 Benefits Of Nutritional Yeast That Will Make You Want To Use It On All Your Food
Once a food only known about by vegans, nutritional yeast, or “nooch,” as the cool kids call it, has gained mainstream status in the swell of the plant-based movement.
“Plant-based eating is such a huge trend and nutritional yeast fits squarely at the center of this movement,” says Samantha Cassetty, RD, nutrition and wellness expert and contributor to Sugar Shock.
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Long used as a cheese substitute by vegans and vegetarians, nutritional yeast “adds a cheesy flavor to foods, so for those scaling back on cheese, it’s a recipe staple,” Cassetty says. In addition to packing loads of flavor, the stuff is also dang nutritious.
People love sprinkling a couple of tablespoons of nutritional yeast onto pasta, popcorn, and soup—but if you've got questions (like, so many questions) about this whole eating yeast thing, you're not the only one.
Unlike the yeast used to bake bread, which is "activated" (a.k.a. alive), though, the cells in nutritional yeast are deactivated (dead).
The stuff is made by culturing a strain of yeast in a medium, like molasses or sugarcane, for several days, says Sonya Angelone, RD, dietitian and spokeswoman for the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.
The yeast is then deactivated with heat (a.k.a. pasteurized), harvested, washed, dried, and packaged. Typically, it's also fortified with nutrients—namely B vitamins—typically found in animal products, which is good news for anyone swapping nutritional yeast in for cheese, says Cassetty. The final product has nutty, umami flavor that mimics Parmesan.
You can find nutritional yeast in most grocery stores these days. It usually comes in either powder or flake form, so you can sprinkle it on just about anything, adds Kelli McGrane, RD, dietitian and advisor for Lose It!.
So is nutritional yeast actually healthy?
Though every brand of nutritional yeast is slightly different, most have similar nutritional stats.
Here's what you can expect in a two-tablespoon serving of Bragg Nutritional Yeast, one of the most popular options in the game:
Bragg's nutritional yeast, like many, is fortified with a whole slew of B vitamins, including vitamin B12. “If vitamin B12 is added, it is a good source of B12,” Angelone says. “Even when not fortified, though, it is a significant source of other B vitamins and some trace minerals.”
Thanks to its impressive nutritional label, this cheesy stuff can benefit plant-eaters and omnivores alike.
1. It promises complete protein.
Most sources of plant protein are "incomplete" proteins—a.k.a. they don't contain all nine essential amino acids that animal proteins do. But nutritional yeast, with an impressive 10 grams of protein per serving, is one of the few vegan options that does qualify as a complete protein, according to dietitian Elizabeth Hurley, RD. That means you'll not only feel satisfied after that bowl of cheese-free mac, but it will also help you maintain healthy muscle tone.
2. It also offers some solid fiber.
With four grams per serving, nutritional yeast doesn’t skimp on the fiber, either. In addition to helping you feel full, fiber also promotes digestive health, says Hurley.
3. It’s MSG-free.
Remember that umami flavor I mentioned? Because of nutritional yeast's potent umami vibes, a myth about it being loaded with the synthetic, flavor-enhancing monosodium glutamate (MSG) turned lots of healthy eaters off to the stuff, says McGrane.
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“Umami is usually associated with products containing MSG,” she explains. However, when it comes to nutritional yeast, that flavor is caused by a naturally-occurring compound called glutamate.
4. It provides much-needed vitamin B12.
Vitamin B12 is a big deal for producing red blood cells and maintaining a healthy nervous system—and deficiency can put you at risk for anemia.
Since we typically get B12 from animal products like eggs, meat, fish, and dairy, vegans and vegetarians often fall short, says Palinksi-Wade. That's where nutritional yeast comes in: Just one serving every couple of days can help animal-free eaters meet their needs.
5. It could help lower your cholesterol.
“Nutritional yeast contains beta-glucan, a type of fiber that has been shown to help reduce cholesterol levels,” says McGrane.
Known for its heart-health benefits, beta-glucan is also found in certain whole grains, like oats and barley.
6. It's packed with antioxidants.
According to McGrane, nutritional yeast has a high concentration of antioxidants, particularly glutathione, “which is essential for protecting cells against damage and eliminating toxins from the body.”
Having enough glutathione in your system becomes increasingly important as you age and your production of the antioxidant declines.
7. It can stabilize blood sugar levels.
Since nutritional yeast is a low-glycemic food, it can help you regulate blood sugar levels. That means fewer cravings, better energy levels and sleep, and a lower risk of metabolic disease.
Does nutritional yeast have any downsides?
“Nutritional yeast can be a healthful addition to an otherwise healthy, plant-focused diet, but it isn’t a magic bullet," says Cassetty. “There’s a big difference between sprinkling nutritional yeast on sautéed greens and using it to make a vegan mac-and-cheese, which could be loaded with refined grains and would therefore be less healthy.”
Where To Buy Nutritional Yeast
Anthony's Nutritional Yeast Flakes
NOW Foods Nutritional Yeast Flakes
Bragg Nutritional Yeast
Bob's Red Mill Large Flake Yeast
Angelone also likes using it to give veggies some more appeal: “It’s delicious in mashed cauliflower or potatoes.” She also likes adding it to scrambled eggs or tofu.
If you really want to get creative, you can even combine nutritional yeast with other ingredients (like soaked cashews) to make a plant-based “cheese" sauce, Cassetty says.
The bottom line: Nutritional yeast is a healthy vegan source of protein, fiber, and B vitamins. Its cheesy flavor makes it a great addition to all sorts of dishes, like pasta, mashed potatoes, and more.
Aryelle Siclait is the editor at Women's Health where she writes and edits articles about relationships, sexual health, pop culture, and fashion for verticals across WomensHealthMag.com and the print magazine. She's a Boston College graduate and lives in New York.
Korin Miller is a freelance writer specializing in general wellness, sexual health and relationships, and lifestyle trends, with work appearing in Men’s Health, Women’s Health, Self, Glamour, and more. She has a master’s degree from American University, lives by the beach, and hopes to own a teacup pig and taco truck one day.