Although becoming a vegan can have numerous health benefits, there is a high risk of missing key nutrients like vitamin B12 and zinc. Taking supplements on a daily basis can replace these nutrients that vegans tend to need the most. If you want a tasty alternative to taking vitamin supplements or to add even more nutrition to your diet, professionals from Functional Medicine Los Angeles recommend considering nutritional yeast.
What is Nutritional Yeast?
Nutritional yeast is the same yeast used for brewing beer and baking bread. The scientific name for yeast is Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, this yeast is processed and prepared in a way that makes it a unique product altogether. The primary difference between nutritional yeast and brewer’s or baker’s yeast is that nutritional yeast spores are made dormant during the manufacturing process.
This kind of yeast is used mainly for cooking purposes and can be described as having a nutty or cheesy flavor that makes food more appetizing. A specialist from Functional Medicine Burbank confirmed that this is especially true for vegan dishes. It can add that “meaty” flavor to foods that make them tasty for vegetarians and vegans. Nutritional yeast can be added to many other kinds of foods, not just vegetarian or vegan dishes. It can also be taken by itself as a vitamin supplement.
Adding Nutritional Yeast to Food
If you are vegan, you will love the cheesy flavor that nutritional yeast will add to your meals. Nutritional yeast is a gluten-free food, much to the delight of those who are allergic to gluten. It can be used as a topping for imitation pasta dishes that are much healthier. An example of this is zucchini and squash noodles. After preparing your favorite squash and zucchini recipe, sprinkle a little nutritional yeast on top for a flavor that can easily replace the flavor of Parmesan cheese.
Experts from Functional Medicine Studio City suggest using nutritional yeast to season your all-natural mashed potatoes. Instead of adding milk and cheese, add a good sprinkle of nutritional yeast instead. If you use olive oil or some other healthy oil of your choice, you will not miss out on the flavor of rich, creamy mashed potatoes.
Nutritional Yeast as a Health Supplement
Nutritional yeast is very high in protein and contains at least fifteen different minerals. These include zinc, selenium, and iron. It includes all of the eighteen amino acids that are crucial for digesting food, repairing bodily tissues, and building muscle. If you take B vitamins, you should know that nutritional yeast can provide you with a naturally occurring B vitamin complex.
Functional Medicine Hollywood recommends an easy tea recipe that you can easily make yourself, a warm tea made with nutritional yeast for a healthy boost in the morning, day, or night. Boil enough purified water to fill your tea cup. Add two tablespoons of nutritional yeast to the hot water and squeeze some fresh lemon juice into the mixture. Stir and enjoy it while it’s warm. If you want to, you can add a spice like cayenne pepper to make it more interesting. As you get used to consuming nutritional yeast, you will find more inventive ways of consuming it.
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Studio City, CA, Beverly Hills, CA, Burbank, CA, Encino, CA, Glendale, CA, Los Angeles, CA, North Hollywood, CA, San Fernando, CA, Santa Monica, CA, Tarzana, CA, Toluca Lake, CA, Valley Village, CA, Van Nuys, CA, West Hollywood, CA