Hi Cody,

In general, nutritional yeast is a good source of proteins and vitamins, including B-complex. The specific nutritional value depends on the brand. The label on the bin at our health-food store indicates this brand is fortified with B-12 that is separately produced from bacteria and added. Apparently, this makes it s a rare food source of B-12 for vegetarians.

Nutritional yeast is grown on purified cane and beet sugar. It's then harvested, pasteurized and dried at high temperatures. Because it then becomes an inactive form of yeast, it's thought to be okay for people on yeast-free diets, as for Candida, etc.

It's important to note that nutritional yeast is not the same as brewer's yeast.

The yellow color comes from the high concentration of riboflavin. Depending on the source, nutritional yeast contains high-quality protein, amino acids, B vitamins, and minerals such as magnesium, zinc, and selenium.

Funny you should mention this today. Just last night, I doused our popcorn with nutritional yeast (and, instead of butter, a little flaxseed oil). It was delicious! Same with using it in soups, on salads, and more.

In our house, we are experimenting with a casein-free diet, so the cheesy-nutty flavor of nutritional yeast flakes is a welcome alternative.

I should mention, though, that my biologist-husband cringed at the very idea of eating yeast, so until I can convince him they are inactive yeast flakes and not like the little beasties in the lab, I don't always apprise him of the meal's full ingredients. ;-)