B Vitamins

• Nutritional yeast, when used as an everyday supplement, offers an amazing amount of benefits, most of which stem from the yeast's wealth of energy-producing B vitamins. One tablespoon of nutritional yeast provides 640 percent of your daily requirements of vitamin B1 (thiamine), 560 percent of your B2 (riboflavin), 280 percent of your B3 (niacin), 480 percent of your B6 (pyridoxine) and 130 percent of your B12 (cobalamin). Many of these vitamins contribute directly to your body's overall growth and development. In turn, a diet deficient in B vitamins can lead to anemia, fatigue, depression, tingling sensations or numbness in the extremities, cramps, stomach pain, various infections and hair loss.
  
  

Vegan and Vegetarian Diets

• Many vegans and vegetarians have found nutritional yeast to be an important part of their diets. Because some vitamins, like B12, are found primarily in animal products, nutritional yeast is a great way for non-meat-eaters to nourish themselves appropriately. The yeast also has 8 grams of protein per tablespoon -- a welcome addition to any plant-based diet.
  
  

Applications

• Those who use it say the strong, tangy, cheese-like taste of nutritional yeast goes well with popcorn, salads, pizzas, pastas, brown rice, eggs, potatoes, soups, dips, steamed or roasted vegetables and quinoa. The powdered yeast is used in relatively small amounts and, much like grated parmesean, is often dusted over or folded into foods that beg for savory seasoning.
  
  

Brewer's Yeast vs. Nutritional Yeast

• Although both are used as dietary supplements, there are some hefty differences between nutritional yeast and brewer's yeast. Brewer's yeast is far less substantial than nutritional yeast when it comes to B vitamins, although it carries far more minerals and protein. The biggest difference, however, might just come down to taste: While nutritional yeast is grown specifically to be used as a supplement in a variety of recipes, brewer's yeast is merely a byproduct of the work done at distilleries and breweries, and thus tastes pretty terrible.