With the Coronavirus pandemic affecting our daily lives, we’ve been forced to rethink our health and wellness routines. While some have turned to baking sourdough bread or binge-watching Netflix, others have discovered the benefits of nutritional yeast! This versatile ingredient has been around for decades but is just now gaining popularity as a superfood with impressive health perks. If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious addition to your quarantine diet, keep reading to learn why nutritional yeast may be the perfect choice!
What is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast, also known as “nooch,” is a type of deactivated yeast that is grown on molasses. It’s yellow in color and has a powdery texture, similar to grated cheese. Nutritional yeast is often used as a flavor enhancer in vegan and vegetarian dishes since it has a savory, umami taste.
Unlike active baker’s yeast or brewer’s yeast, nutritional yeast doesn’t ferment or cause bread to rise. Instead, it undergoes heat treatment to deactivate the living cells while preserving its nutrient content. Nutritional yeast contains all nine essential amino acids, making it an excellent source of plant-based protein for those following a vegan or vegetarian diet.
Nutritional yeast is also rich in B vitamins such as thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyridoxine (B6) and folic acid (B9). These vitamins are crucial for maintaining energy levels and supporting brain function. Additionally, nutritional yeast can boost the immune system due to its high concentration of beta-glucans – complex sugars that stimulate white blood cell activity.
Nutritional yeast isn’t just another trendy superfood – it packs serious nutritional benefits too!
The Benefits of Nutritional Yeast
Nutritional yeast is a complete protein source that’s packed with essential vitamins and minerals. It’s particularly rich in B-complex vitamins, including vitamin B12, which makes it an excellent choice for vegans and vegetarians who may not be getting enough of these nutrients from animal products.
In addition to its high nutrient content, nutritional yeast has been linked to several health benefits. For one thing, it may help boost your immune system by increasing the production of white blood cells. This could make you less susceptible to infectious diseases like the cold or flu.
Nutritional yeast has also been shown to support healthy digestion by promoting the growth of beneficial gut bacteria. Additionally, some studies suggest that it may even have anti-cancer properties due to its ability to inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer cells.
Another potential benefit of nutritional yeast is its ability to improve cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. This could reduce your risk for heart disease over time.
Incorporating nutritional yeast into your diet can offer a range of important health benefits that shouldn’t be overlooked!
Why Coronavirus Is the Best Time toTake up Nutritional Yeast
The coronavirus pandemic has made many of us more health-conscious than ever before. With more time on our hands and a greater awareness of the importance of good nutrition, it’s no surprise that people are turning to nutritional yeast as a way to boost their immune systems.
Nutritional yeast is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals, including B-complex vitamins, zinc, and selenium – all vital nutrients for maintaining a healthy immune system. In addition to its immunity-boosting benefits, nutritional yeast can also help regulate cholesterol levels and aid in digestion.
One reason why now is the best time to take up nutritional yeast is because it can be easily incorporated into your meals at home. Whether you sprinkle it on top of salads or mix it into pasta sauces or soups, there are endless ways to enjoy this versatile ingredient.
Another advantage of adding nutritional yeast to your diet during the coronavirus outbreak is that it can help satisfy cravings for comfort foods without compromising on nutrition. Its cheesy flavor makes it a great substitute for cheese in recipes like macaroni and cheese or pizza toppings.
With its numerous health benefits and ease of use in cooking at home, there’s no better time than now to start incorporating nutritional yeast into your diet.
How to Add Nutritional Yeast to Your Diet
Adding nutritional yeast to your diet is not only healthy but also a tasty way of improving the flavor of your food. You can sprinkle it on top of salads, soups, and stews or mix it into dressings and sauces for an extra cheesy taste. Here are some creative ways to add nutritional yeast to your meals.
Firstly, you can use it as a seasoning for popcorn by mixing melted butter or coconut oil with nutritional yeast and sprinkling over freshly popped corn. It’s a delicious snack that will have you reaching for more!
Secondly, if you’re looking for an alternative to cheese in pasta dishes, try adding nutritional yeast instead. Mix it with olive oil or vegan butter and toss through cooked pasta for a cheesy flavor without the dairy.
Another great way to incorporate this superfood into your diet is by making savory oatmeal bowls topped with roasted vegetables like sweet potato and broccoli florets seasoned with nutritional yeast.
Make a batch of homemade veggie chips using thinly sliced zucchini or kale leaves lightly coated in olive oil and sprinkled generously with nutritional yeast before baking until crispy.
Adding Nutritional Yeast to your diet doesn’t need any special recipe. Just play around with different foods and experiment until you find what works best for you!
Recipes with Nutritional Yeast
One of the best things about nutritional yeast is how versatile it is in cooking. It can be used as a topping for popcorn, sprinkled over salads, and even added to soups and stews to give them an extra boost of flavor.
For those who love pasta dishes, adding a sprinkle of nutritional yeast over spaghetti or macaroni and cheese can provide a cheesy flavor without all the calories and fat that come with traditional cheese.
Another great recipe option is using nutritional yeast in homemade vegan dips such as cashew or hummus dip. The savory taste of the yeast pairs well with chickpeas or nuts, creating a deliciously creamy spread perfect for dipping veggies or crackers.
Additionally, nutritional yeast can be used in baking recipes like breads, muffins, and pizza crusts to add depth and richness to these staples. By replacing some of the flour with nutritional yeast, you can incorporate more vitamins into your diet while still enjoying your favorite baked goods.
There are countless ways to use this superfood ingredient in cooking. Experimenting with different recipes is not only fun but also allows you to reap all of its health benefits!
Conclusion
The Coronavirus pandemic has certainly brought about a lot of changes in our lives, including our diets. With many people now opting for healthier food options to boost their immune system, nutritional yeast is an excellent addition that you should consider.
Not only does it offer numerous health benefits such as improved digestion and enhanced immunity, but it also adds a unique flavor to your meals. Nutritional yeast can be used in various dishes and recipes, making it an incredibly versatile ingredient that you will love.
So why not take advantage of this best time to take up nutritional yeast? Try incorporating it into your daily diet and see how much better you feel. You’ll likely find yourself becoming more creative with different ways of using it every day!
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