Nutritional yeast

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About Nutritional yeast
Wikipedia Article About Nutritional yeast on Wikipedia

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, usually Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

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. It is often used by vegans in place of Parmesan cheese. 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.

Substitutes:
 * Brewer's yeast – inferior flavor, darker color
 * Parmesan cheese – as a condiment; higher in fat, less nutritious
 * Wheat germ – works well in baked goods or sprinkled on cereals
 * Yeast extract