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Facts on Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast, similar to brewer's
yeast, is a nutritional supplement popular with vegans
and the health conscious who use it as an ingredient in
recipes or simply as a condiment. It is a deactivated
yeast.
It is an excellent source of protein and
vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins. It is also
naturally low in fat and sodium. Some brands of
nutritional yeast, though not all, also contain vitamin
B12, which is rare in non-animal sources.
Nutritional
yeast has a nutty cheesy creamy flavor which makes it
popular as an ingredient in cheese substitutes. Another
popular use is as a topping for popcorn. Some
progressive movie theaters are beginning to offer it
along with salt or cayenne pepper as popcorn
condiments.
It comes in the form of a yellow powder
similar in texture to cornmeal, or in flakes, and can
usually be found in the bulk aisle of most natural food
stores.
Though "nutritional yeast" usually refers to
commercial products, inadequately fed prisoners have
used "home-grown" yeast to prevent vitamin
deficiency.
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