Nutritional Yeast - Everything You Need to Know

by Marine Le Sager December 05, 2019 1 Comment

Nutritional Yeast - The Best Substitute to Parm Cheese

Nutritional Yeast

One of the huge struggles of my life is that my all-time favorite dish is risotto. The problem? It contains parmesan cheese.

For many vegetarians transitioning to a vegan diet, stopping the consumption of animal products is more or else easy. But when it concerns cheese it's never simple, especially for me that has french origins, ALL cheeses are my big weaknesses. 

Let's be honest, vegan cheese available on the market are not really convincing and pretty expensive!

If you are also coping with cheese cravings, don't panic you are not alone! Also, there is one answer to our despair: nutritional yeast

If you don't know about this magical superfood, keep reading! You'll thank me later. 

For the vegans that are already familiar with nutritional yeast benefits, you can directly check our delicious recipe of pesto Rosso by clicking on the table of content's link below. 

Benefits and Nutrition

Nutritional Yeast Benefits

Nutritional yeast is considered as a food supplement and is made from a fungus organism called Saccharomyces Cerevisiae. After being collected, it's dried and heated to deactivate the yeast and to be packed, usually in tiny flakes or powder.

One of nutritional yeast's cousin is brewer's yeast that is used to make beers!

As you guess by its name, nutritional yeast is packed with so many nutrients! Here is the list of what this super aliment contains:

  • It is an excellent source of plant-based protein, as it has amino acids which are essentials to your body.
  • It contains the essential trace elements: calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, sulfur and zinc.
  • It helps to fight fatigue because it stimulates the immune system.
  • It improves digestion.
  • It helps to ease nausea.
  • It improves weight loss.
  • It is gluten-free.
  • Finally, it strengthens hair and nails.

    But most of all, one of the big nutritional yeast benefits is that it's full of B vitamins! As a matter of fact, nutritional yeast is the most complete natural source of B vitamins that have a positive impact on the nerve system, blood cells, as well as the assimilation of protein, fats, and sugars. 

    Because you cannot find plants that contain the famous B12 vitamin, nutritional yeast is a great way to provide your body with this nutrient.

    However, not all the brand have B12 vitamin. Please, carefully check the label to be sure that the nutritional yeast you are buying offers a supply in B12. Otherwise, you will need to take a food supplement.

      

    How to consume it?

    Nutritional yeast has a flavor described as cheesy and nutty. Thus, it's the best alternative to parmesan cheese thanks to its taste and flakes texture! 

    You can use this magic powder in so many ways, starting as "grated cheese". Try to sprinkle nutritional yeast on top of your pasta, risotto (yummy), salad, or casseroles, the cheesy taste is really impressive, while being plant-based!!

    Just a tablespoon or two can pimp your soups, gravies, or any sauces! It adds texture that will make any preparation extra creamy.

    Yet, it could be a bit complicated to find nutritional yeast as it is rarely sold in typical grocery stores. But you can buy it from the bulk bins at your local organic store, or on Amazon which has several brands available. Try different products to find the one that has the best flavor according to your taste!

    Now that you're an expert in nutritional yeast, you should try to amaze your omnivorous friends with this delicious vegan pesto recipe that contains NO PARM CHEESE AT ALL!! 

    Success guaranteed!

     

    Vegan Pesto Rosso Recipe

    Vegan Pesto Rosso

    Serving size: 4 to 6 people

    Preparation time: 5 minutes

    Ingredients

    • 3 cups of fresh basil
    • ⅓ cup of walnuts
    • 1 cup of drained sun-dried tomatoes 
    • ½ cup of nutritional yeast flakes
    • ¼ cup of olive oil
    • A garlic clove
    • The juice of half a lemon
    • Salt to taste
    • Pepper to taste
    • Chilli flakes to taste

    Instructions

    1. Put all of the ingredients - BUT the olive oil - in a food processor or blender. Mix well until you have a consistency of a paste. 
    2. Step by step, start adding the olive oil to the mixture while your food processor is running. Process until all the ingredients are well combined.
    3. If the consistency isn't smooth enough, add some water. 
    Transfer to a nice jar and serve with your favorite pasta! Why not trying to mix it with a pulse pasta? Check out all the available options on the market here.
    I personally enjoy my pesto Rosso with red lentil pasta, it goes so well together!!
    You can store this condiment in your fridge for up to 5 days. 

     

    Whether you are on your way to vegetarianism, veganism or simply curious about cooking, don't hesitate for a second! We hope that you learn more things about the power of plants in this article and that you will continue to be healthy!

    Don't forget to drink Falcon Protein to complete your diet and get the amount of protein you daily need! Have you checked our Quinoa Risotto recipe yet? For this and more content about Health, fitness & lifestyle, please feel free to have a look at our Birdman blog. 

     

    Get Falcon Protein




    Marine Le Sager
    Marine Le Sager

    Author


    1 Response

    Ntsoaki
    Ntsoaki

    July 13, 2020

    I love your recipes just started following you. Saw your Instagram handle from necrocraves.

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