What is Nutritional Yeast or Nooch?

Bowl of pasta beside jars of sauce

Nutritional yeast, Nooch, hippie dust, savory yeast flakes, brufax, whatever you call it its a dried inactive nutritional-yeast in powder or flake form.

What do we all find so special about it? It has a relatively high flavour that has a distinctly cheese-like nutty taste which makes it very popular amongst vegans and plantbased eaters.

Think vegan cheese sauce... yum

Is Nutritional Yeast Nutriental?

Nutritional yeast has nutritional value as well as flavour. It’s can be an excellent source of many vitamins and minerals, in fact, fortified versions contain a long list of nutrients including fiber, protein, B vitamins, B12, zinc and more.

Nutritional yeast is available in two varieties, fortified and unfortified which can have significant differences in nutrients. Unfortified means it only contains the vitamins and minerals naturally present in the yeast. Whereas fortified varieties contain additional micronutrients added in during manufacturing process.

How to use Nutritional Yeast

Wondering how to use nutritional yeast? Sprinkle on your pasta, salads, mashed potatoe added to sauces and making cheese sauce.

To our family it is an essential vegan / plantbased stock cupboard item which we use loads of.

Nutritional Yeast: Allergies or Sensitivities

If you have an allergy to yeast best to avoid this ingredient.

If you have a sensitivity to the active yeast like in bread and beer you might find nutritional yeast safe as it is pasteurised and deactivated.

Trying any new foods always best to consume a small amount first. This means you can slowly assess your tolerance and prevent nasty side effects.

Research: Nutritional Yeast


Beneficial Effects of Probiotic and Food Borne Yeasts on Human Health

Resources

General guidance and further reading. These links have not been checked against the individual claims on this page.

  1. NHS: The vegan diet

    Public health guidance on planning a vegan diet and getting essential nutrients.

  2. British Dietetic Association: Vegetarian, vegan and plant-based diet

    Dietitian guidance on plant-based eating. The fact sheet is currently under review by the BDA.

  3. NHS: The Eatwell Guide

    Guidance on food groups and the balance of foods across a day or week.

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