Four Forgotten Superfoods: PART TWO

In case you missed PART ONE of the forgotten superfoods series, I'll fill you in. The first and most fantastic superfood on earth is LIVER. Yes, liver is the superfood most folks do not embrace, but would truly benefit from eating. You can read all about in my last blogpost. Today, we will discuss another forgotten superfood.

This is the superfood you might never have heard of before. I used to eat this all the time when I was in college. It's a bright yellow powder.

Nutritional yeast.

If you've never tasted it, don't be afraid. While liver has a strong flavor that puts a lot of people off, nutritional yeast has a very mild flavor. I guess it might taste a little like the orange powdered cheese in a box of Kraft Mac and Cheese. There's really nothing to hate here!

While nutritional yeast has a flavor and texture similar to powdered cheese, it is not a dairy product, and contains no dairy, soy, gluten, or sugar. Instead, it is a strain of yeast similar to the kind used in baking bread. It has been processed, so is no longer active. And it is a superfood because of all the vitamins and minerals it contains.

After liver, it is probably the most nutritious food on the planet. Nutritional yeast is high in protein, low in fat, and high in most of the B vitamins. It does not naturally contain B12, but is sometimes fortified with this vitamin. (Check the label to see.) One tablespoon contains 3 grams of protein, no fat, almost no carbs except a gram of fiber, and a full day's worth of B vitamins. Not to mention calcium, iron, zinc, and potassium.

You can purchase nutritional yeast at any health food store, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe's. 

So how can you add this superfood to your diet? It's so easy!

A tablespoon of nutritional yeast can be added to almost anything. The flavor is so mild, it will be undetectable in many dishes. You can add it to tuna, chicken, or egg salad. Stir it into a cup of cottage cheese. You can mix it into any kind of casserole, meatloaf, meatballs, stuffing, or rice pilaf. Sprinkle over a salad, or stir into your creamy salad dressing. The possibilities are truly endless.

The first time I ever had nutritional yeast, it was sprinkled over popcorn, along with butter and garlic powder. YUM!

This superfood is a no-brainer. An easy way to add lots of nutrients to your diet. Try it and see!