Raw Food and Nutritional Yeast
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Nutritional Yeast…what the heck is that stuff?
Nutritional yeast is used in both vegan food and raw food preparation. It is not raw but what is it and why is it used so much? Nutritional yeast is used for both it’s nutritional benefits and its taste. As a supplement to recipes, it gives that “cheesy” flavor that eludes us in a vegan diet.
Nutritional Yeast should not be confused with brewers yeast. It is a deactivated yeast that is grown on sugar cane juice and beet molasses in a carefully controlled environment. It is harvested, washed and dried before packaging. Nutritional Yeast is a good source of B vitamins and some nutritional yeasts are fortified with B12. Containing 18 amino acids, it is also a complete protein. There are an amazing 8 grams of protein in one and a half tablespoons.
Nutritional yeast is produced specifically for the nutritional benefits that it provides. It also provides a great taste. Cheesy and nutty, it brings a depth of flavor to our raw food recipes. Note it is not raw as it has to be pasturized to kill the yeast. But it is a healthy, nutritious, supplement. it is a favorite ingredient in Rawmazing’s Kale Chips.
wendy wrote on July 15, 2010
I have an intolerance to yeast. Is this safe if the yeast has ben deactivated?
Susan wrote on July 15, 2010
Wendy…I don’t have an answer to that question. I would suggest you research it. 🙂
Donna Kilpatrick wrote on July 15, 2010
Have been using this more past couple of months as we have tried to go 100% raw. Past week husband’s blood sugar begun to spike, am learning that this may happen with diabetics going through detox, have just rec’d material from Gabriel Cousens regarding his Rainbow Green Cuisine Phase Chart for diabetics and nurtritional yeast is listed as a food to avoid. He reports that it has high levels of minute toxins called “mycotoxins”. My husband has been off all diabetic meds for a year now, we have been anti-fungal/raw for past 1 1/2 yrs. Didn’t realize how careful we still have to be with what he is eating.
Tim wrote on April 16, 2015
Oh no it is really toxic?
Was trying to make raw vegan cheese not sure what to use. Trying to cut out processed foods even if just a little bit still goes to your body. Does anyone know if it’s good or bad?
Susan wrote on April 19, 2015
Hi, Tim…check here: http://nutritionfacts.org/?s=yeast Cheers!
Susan wrote on July 15, 2010
Donna, I know that regular yeast can have mycotoxins. I have not found any research on whether nutritional yeast has them since it is pasteurized.
Rawfully Tempting wrote on July 15, 2010
oops..sorry, forgot the link..duh
http://www.giveittomeraw.com/forum/topics/nutritional-yeast-good-or-bad?id=1407416%3ATopic%3A600916&page=1#comments
Rawfully Tempting wrote on July 15, 2010
Here are some interesting comments on NY…I’m still up in the air about it…I’ve also had some side affects after eating it, and it almost has an addictive quality, which would be like an MSG reaction…I’ll use it, but only once in a great while.
Susan wrote on July 15, 2010
As with everything, we need to determine if it works with our bodies. If it doesn’t, don’t use it. I have seen the MSG discussion but scientifically, there is no MSG in it at all.
Sako wrote on July 14, 2010
how much can I take nutritonal yeaast for each meal for Vitamine B ?
Susan wrote on July 15, 2010
Sako…I would use nutritional yeast as a flavoring, not a B-vitamin supplement. It does have B-vitamins but it also has other things in it. It is just good to know that if you use it, you do get B vitamins.
danielle wrote on July 14, 2010
Thanks for this I was just recently wondering where it came from
Erika @ Health and Happiness in LA wrote on July 14, 2010
I love nooch sooooo much and I eat it every day.