Current:Home > FinanceNutritional yeast is a favorite among vegans. Does that mean it’s good for you?-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Nutritional yeast is a favorite among vegans. Does that mean it’s good for you?
View Date:2024-12-24 09:46:44
The world of health and wellness is rife with recommendations on “healthy” swaps for your favorite foods.
Nutritional yeast is often lauded online as a seasoning that’s dairy-free but tastes like cheese, making it popular among vegans looking to get their cheesy fix.
"Nutritional yeast is a vegan diet staple because it’s loaded with B12, a nutrient that’s hard to get enough of without animal products,” registered dietitian Miranda Galati tells USA TODAY.
Google searches for nutritional yeast surged over the last few years, especially between December and February as users look to meet their New Year’s resolutions. But a food being “good for you” differs for everyone — there’s no “one size fits all” approach to healthy eating, Galati notes.
“The healthiest food in any category will depend on you, your budget, your culture, your health goals and so much more,” she says. “It’s amazing to make more nutrient-dense choices when possible, but choosing the more processed or convenient option isn’t always a bad thing either. As a registered dietitian who wants you to build a healthy lifestyle that lasts, I’d recommend ditching the idea that there’s a healthiest version of anything.”
Here’s more info health experts want you to know before trying nutritional yeast.
Is nutritional yeast good for you?
On top of having a tasty flavor, nutritional yeast has an “impressive nutritional profile,” Galati adds.
She notes that a quarter cup serving contains eight grams of plant-based protein and three grams of fiber. That’s about the same amount of protein as two tablespoons of peanut butter and the same amount of fiber as a banana.
For context, the United States Department of Agriculture recommends people eat about 28 grams of fiber based on a 2,000-calorie diet.
When it comes to protein, the USDA’s Recommended Dietary Allowance says you should consume 0.36 grams per pound. For a person who weighs 150 pounds, that’s 54 grams of protein daily. But some dietitians including Galati note that recommendation can differ depending on other factors, and that it may be more beneficial to eat 0.7 to 0.9 grams per pound.
Nutritional yeast also contains “well above your daily requirements for B12 and other B-vitamins,” Galati says.
If you’re a vegan, then nutritional yeast may be a good way to add some extra nutrients that are more difficult to consume without animal products. But if you’re not vegan, you don’t necessarily need to substitute nutritional yeast in for your favorite kind of cheese.
“I recommend trying to eat more lean protein, prioritize fiber and healthy fats and get lots of color on your plate,” Galati says. “There’s a lot of different ways to achieve that.”
More:What is whey protein and should you be taking it? Safety, benefits and what to know
Is there any downside to nutritional yeast?
Some research has suggested that nutritional yeast may be irritating to those with Crohn's disease and other types of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD).
Can I eat nutritional yeast every day?
In general, adding too much fiber to your diet too quickly can cause issues like gas, bloating and cramping, according to the Mayo Clinic. It’s best to slowly introduce more fibrous foods and allow your body to adjust, experts say.
Do you get enough dietary fiber?It can help control blood sugar, cholesterol
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Roy Haynes, Grammy-winning jazz drummer, dies at 99: Reports
- Gabby Petito’s Dad Shares His Family “Can’t Stop Crying” 3 Years After Her Death
- Oh, the humanities: Can you guess the most-regretted college majors?
- Good Luck Charlie Star Mia Talerico Is All Grown Up in High School Sophomore Year Photo
- Kid Rock tells fellow Trump supporters 'most of our left-leaning friends are good people'
- ABC’s rules for the Harris-Trump debate include muted mics when candidates aren’t speaking
- Angelina Jolie dazzles Venice Film Festival with ‘Maria,’ a biopic about opera legend Maria Callas
- Artem Chigvintsev's Mug Shot Following Domestic Violence Arrest Revealed
- 13 escaped monkeys still on the loose in South Carolina after 30 were recaptured
- Shohei Ohtani and dog Decoy throw out first pitch on bobblehead night, slugger hits HR
Ranking
- Today Reveals Hoda Kotb's Replacement
- The Latest: Trump to campaign in Michigan, Wisconsin; Harris will have sit-down interview with CNN
- College football season predictions: Picks for who makes playoff, wins title and more
- What to know about Day 1 of the Paralympics: How to watch, top events Thursday
- Lunchables get early dismissal: Kraft Heinz pulls the iconic snack from school lunches
- Man whose escape from Kansas prison was featured in book, TV movie dies behind bars
- Pregnant Brittany Mahomes Details Lesson Learned After Back Injury
- The US Appetite for Electricity Grew Massively in the First Half of 2024, and Solar Power Rose to the Occasion
Recommendation
-
To Protect the Ozone Layer and Slow Global Warming, Fertilizers Must Be Deployed More Efficiently, UN Says
-
What to know about the pipeline that brings water to millions of Grand Canyon goers
-
Police fatally shoot man, then find dead child in his car on Piscataqua River Bridge
-
Judge says ex-Boston Celtics’ Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis can delay prison to finish film
-
Watch as massive amount of crabs scamper across Australian island: 'It's quite weird'
-
RFK Jr.'s name to remain on presidential ballot in North Carolina
-
Lana Del Rey Sparks Romance Rumors With Alligator Guide Jeremy Dufrene
-
Ex-DC police officer is sentenced to 5 years in prison for fatally shooting man in car