Yeast and Weight Loss – A Nutritional Guide

by Anand Thakkar, MD ~

Weight loss is tricky. American Psychological Association studies have found that most dieters gain back nearly all the weight they lost. This occurs over two to five years after they start their diets. One reason for why is the different tastes of foods. It is hard to replicate fatty or greasy dishes while remaining healthy. But you can with the help of items like nutritional yeast.

What are nutritional yeast and nooch? What is the nutritional guide to them? How can you integrate nooch into your daily diet?

Answer these questions and you can keep the pounds off for years to come. Here is your quick guide.

The Basics of Nutritional Yeast

Nutritional yeast is a special variant of yeast. Both come from the same species of bacteria, Saccharomyces cerevisiae. But they have substantial differences from each other.

For most purposes, yeast requires activation in order to work. You combine it with warm water and sugar and give it time to rise.

Producers of nutritional yeast grow cells over several days. They feed them with molasses and other sugar-rich foods. This facilitates protein production.

You do not activate nutritional yeast. You may find it in powder or flake form, unlike live yeast. It often appears yellow, which may be the result of added colorings or preservatives.

Nutritional yeast has a nutty or cheesy flavor, akin to Parmesan. This makes it a good alternative to cheese for vegans and vegetarians.

You may hear the term, “nooch.” This is a nickname for nutritional yeast.

The Nutritional Guide for Nooch

Nooch is full of important vitamins and nutrients. A one-quarter cup serving contains 60 calories, which is the equivalent of half of a banana.

That serving provides 730 percent of your daily value of vitamin B-12. Vitamin B-12 helps cells make DNA, allowing them to reproduce and function.

It also contains 980 percent of your value of thiamin and 750 percent for riboflavin. Thiamin helps with kidney and nervous system function, while riboflavin helps cells break down fat and nutrients.

Nooch is a complete protein, containing all nine amino acids. This makes it a perfect protein source for vegans. It also makes it a good food for people trying to achieve weight loss since complete proteins are very filling.

Nooch contains a type of fiber called beta-glucan. This absorbs cholesterol in the stomach and intestines, decreasing the risk for heart disease. Beta-glucan may boost the immune system, helping the immunocompromised.

Chromium is a mineral that helps regulate blood sugar. Nooch contains a small amount of chromium, making it a good food for diabetics. It has amounts of tyramine, which helps regulate blood pressure.

Nooch has very little sodium, with roughly 25 milligrams per serving. This makes it desirable for people on a low-salt diet.

Some brands add additional nutrients to their nooch. You should read the ingredients label of any nooch product you buy before assuming what nutrients it contains.

Who Should Not Eat Nutritional Yeast

Vitamin B-12, thiamin, and riboflavin are water-soluble substances, so your body excretes the excess out. But some people may have trouble excreting or processing vitamins. If you are concerned about this, talk to your doctor.

Tyramine may trigger migraines in people who have them on a regular basis. If you have chronic headaches, you should consider avoiding nutritional yeast.

Tyramine can also interact with medications that control blood sugar and reduce pain. Talk to your doctor about potential interactions.

Some people with overactive immune systems report heightened responses after eating nooch. People with Crohn’s disease should avoid integrating it into their diet.

Some people are allergic to yeast. If you are, you will get a reaction from nooch, so you shouldn’t eat it.

How to Incorporate Nooch Into Dishes

Nooch is a very versatile ingredient. You can combine it with a number of foods for weight loss.

Popcorn is a low-calorie and filling snack. You can sprinkle nooch over your popcorn and toss it together. If you want some spice, mix your nutritional yeast with sriracha or sesame.

If you’re looking to eat some vegetables, roast some broccoli or kale. Then put it in a bowl and sprinkle some nooch and other spices. Toss to combine and then serve.

To make a vegan cheese sauce, cook a chopped shallot and clove of garlic in some coconut oil. Add flour, then stir in some nooch.

Mix in water and unsweetened almond milk and let simmer until thick. You can dip vegetables or chips into the sauce. You can also combine it with macaroni for a vegetarian macaroni and cheese.

To make a dressing, you can mix lemon juice and dijon mustard together. You can then add a touch of sugar and some nooch. Combine until creamy, then pour over your favorite salad.

You can use nooch to season meat, but it can overpower certain dishes. It does not work well with fish or lean proteins like chicken. Try combining it with some black pepper and sprinkling it over top of a steak.

Keep the Pounds off Today and Tomorrow

Nooch is a wonderful tool for weight loss. It is deactivated yeast that tastes like Parmesan cheese.

The nutritional guide for it is resounding. It contains extremely high levels of vitamin B-12, thiamin, and amino acids. People who have headaches or Crohn’s disease should be cautious.

But everyone else should eat a lot of it. You can sprinkle it over vegetables or integrate it into a sauce or dressing.

Get the facts and services you need to lose fat. Chicago Weight Loss and Wellness Clinics can help you lose weight. Contact us today.

About Anand Thakkar, MD

Dr. Anand Thakkar is a licensed Internal Medicine physician. He is Board Certified in Anti-Aging & Regenerative Medicine. He has been a member of the teaching faculty for students at Chicago Medical School and has been featured on ABC, FOX, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, and Forbes as a recognized authority in wellness, fitness & nutrition, weight loss, anti-aging, hormones & metabolic medicine, holistic medicine, lifestyle coaching and women’s & men’s health. His mission is to help people become the healthiest versions of themselves using movement, nutrition, and a whole-body approach to medical care.

This blog is for informational purposes only. Do not make any major changes to your lifestyle, diet, or exercise without the supervision of a licensed medical professional.