In many of my recipes, you've seen that I like to add Nutritional Yeast as a topping. I've been asked by quite a few people, "What Is Nutritional Yeast and Why Would I Use It?
The "Yeast" part can throw people off, but the "Nutritional" describes what Nutritional Yeast is - packed with Nutrition. Vitamins and Minerals!
Specifically, Nutritional Yeast contains B-Vitamins (Look for B-12 specifically when purchasing & comparing brands), Folic Acid Selenium, Zinc and Protein - important nutrients the body needs daily!
Nutritional Yeast is also gluten-free, salt-free, sugar-free, and contains no preservatives and no fat. With only 25 calories/Tablespoon, Nutritional Yeast is a tasty flavor enhancer to savory dishes and salads.
I like to think of Nutritional Yeast as a "Cheesy" (although it's dairy-free), Nutty Flavor Topping, so like a Parmesan Cheese alternative. Have you ever read the label on a Parmesan Cheese product? Scary!
Nutritional Yeast sits on my kitchen counter and on the dinner table in place of the traditional Salt & Pepper. A few of my favorite ways to use it are to sprinkle on top of food and finished dishes as delicious, cheesy, savory flavor enhancer:
- Salads
- Eggs
- Whole Wheat Pasta/Quinoa/Sweet Potatoes
- Chicken
- Soups
Where to Buy? There are a few brands out there and most are sold in health food or specialty groceries, but I like the BRAGG brand found at Kroger in the Health Food isle. Other grocers such as Trader Joe's, Fresh Market and Whole Foods also sell Nutritional Yeast.
Try it out and experiment with it for a extra dose of tasty goodness to your meals!