this vitamin that is typically found in animal sources and can be difficult for some vegans to get enough of.
Other plant sources are mushrooms, tempeh, fortified plant milk, and breakfast cereals. B12 is important for keeping our DNA and nervous systems healthy. It also helps with the production of red blood cells, which carry oxygen all around your body.
Nutritional yeast is a complete protein because it contains all nine of the essential amino acids your body needs to get from food since we cannot make them (quinoa is also in this category). These proteins are important in repairing and strengthening muscles.
A few other health highlights:
- Contains fiber that helps prevent heart disease by lowering cholesterol and may help control blood sugars
- Contains antioxidants that help boost your immune system and lower cancer risk
- Helps improve recovery after exercising
- Contains many of the B vitamins besides B12 (folic acid, niacin, riboflavin, thiamine, and B6). B vitamins play many roles in your body, including creating energy, keeping your brain healthy, and regulating cell growth.
- Contains small amounts of minerals like zinc, selenium, iron, calcium, and potassium, which help with growth, heart function, and immune function
- Does not contain MSG, but instead has something called glutamate (a natural compound), which gives it that umami flavor
A word of caution: people who have migraines, take certain antidepressants (MAO inhibitors), have a yeast allergy, have inflammatory bowel disease, are diabetic, and who take narcotics for chronic pain should discuss with their doctor if nutritional yeast is appropriate for them to take.
And now, the moment you’ve really been waiting for: my Cheezee Vegan Mac-N-Cheeze recipe. Below is a video snippet of it piping hot, right out of the oven. Be sure to post a pic and tag me @physicianinthekitchen if you make this recipe.
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