Nutritional yeast (informally referred to as “nooch”) comes from the same strain of yeast as baker’s and brewer’s yeast, but it’s distinctly different. Baker’s and brewer’s yeasts are alive but dormant, whereas nooch is inactive, or dead (aka it won’t make your bread rise). Also, brewer’s yeast tastes bitter, whereas nutritional yeast has an appealing, cheesy flavor similar to that of Parmesan. Its salty, umami quality and nondairy status have made nutritional yeast incredibly popular among vegetarians, vegans, and dairy-intolerant people looking for a healthy seasoning and alternative to real cheese. Nooch makes some of its own vitamins but is often fortified with B vitamins to help cover your nutritional bases—especially important if you’re a vegetarian or vegan. Make sure to seek out organic nooch—it’s usually the highest quality. Nooch is fine for nearly everyone, but Crohn’s disease sufferers may be the exception; according to some research2, it can make symptoms worse. Also, some research says that those who suffer from migraines should avoid nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast can offer those who consume it a healthy dose of vitamins, and it may help support the immune system in endurance athletes, who can be more susceptible to infection after hard-core exercise. In one study, runners taking the equivalent of a spoonful a day of nutritional yeast following a marathon cut their rates of getting an upper respiratory infection in half compared to the placebo group. They reported feeling better overall, too.
