Nutritional yeast can be found in two forms: Fortified and Unfortified. Unfortified nutritional yeast has not been altered and contains only natural vitamins and minerals. Fortified yeast contains vitamins to boost the nutritional content of the yeast. This popular ingredient is used all over the world. Because of its unappetizing name, it has be given various other names and is commonly known as “nooch” (nüch) and “yeshi,” an Ethiopian name meaning “for a thousand.” In Australia, it is called “savory yeast flakes,” and the New Zealanders call it “brufax.”In addition to supplying foods with a cheesy flavor, nutritional yeast is well-known for its nutritional value as well. In fact, it contains a long list of nutrients and is packed with fiber, protein, B vitamins, zinc and more. It’s important to note that nutritional yeast is not the same as brewer’s yeast. Brewer’s yeast is a byproduct of beer-making and used in making bread. It has a bitter taste. While in the same scientific family known as Saccharomyces cerevisiae, the biggest difference between brewer’s yeast vs. nutritional yeast is the nutritional value of each. Nutritional yeast is far superior to brewer’s yeast and much higher in B-complex vitamins than wheat germ and many other natural food products. It can be used in vegetarian recipes or added to protein shakes to boost nutritional content. Nutritional yeast is similar to the yeast that people use in baking, but it undergoes a heating and drying process that renders it inactive.Nutritional yeast is dairy-free and usually gluten-free. As a result, it can be a useful supplement for people with food allergies or sensitivities, as well as those on restricted diets. It is also low in fat and contains no sugar or soy.