View Full Version : Nutritional Yeast Flakes for protein?
Do any thru hikers have experience with using Nutritional Yeast Flakes on the trail? I'm a vegetarian and there's 32 grams of protein per 2 Tbs.
Transient Being
01-01-2012, 01:03
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/1323565/2
A (http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/custom/1323565/2)ccording to this, there's only 16g. in two tablespoons and 8g. protein. Still not bad. I bought some one time, but never really used them...got any good recipies?
mkmangold
01-01-2012, 01:06
Years ago I tried yeast flakes and they tasted terrible. Isn't Vegemite made from yeast?
If you're eating enough food, you should already have a lot of protein and have no need to supplement at all.
Mike2012
01-01-2012, 03:07
I put some in some pasta last week and it was similar to parmigiana cheese. Two Tbs was just right and an easy protein boost. I'll put some in maildrops if I do that.
mkmangold
01-01-2012, 03:16
I disagree with eating enough food meets your protein needs. Protein in foods needs to be highly assimable and trail food is often highly processed and lacks good protein. If you can tolerate the taste, I say go for it. Good suggestion and probably a good idea for us omnivores, too.
I disagree with eating enough food meets your protein needs. Protein in foods needs to be highly assimable and trail food is often highly processed and lacks good protein. If you can tolerate the taste, I say go for it. Good suggestion and probably a good idea for us omnivores, too.
You disagree, but have you done the numbers. Since you say that these highly foods lack good proteins, would you please give me an example and the bad proteins it has or the good proteins that it lacks?
mkmangold
01-01-2012, 03:33
I don't NEED to give anyone any numbers but, on your own, check the bioavaility ratings of different proteins such as egg powder, whey, soy protein (for girls only), and other foods. I won't do the work for you. Ok, google "bioavailabity of protein
I don't NEED to give anyone any numbers but, on your own, check the bioavaility ratings of different proteins such as egg powder, whey, soy protein (for girls only), and other foods. I won't do the work for you. Ok, google "bioavailabity of protein
Look at my previous posts. I've provided plenty of numbers, so I've proven that I have some idea of what I'm talking about. Why should I believe you?
Do any thru hikers have experience with using Nutritional Yeast Flakes on the trail? I'm a vegetarian and there's 32 grams of protein per 2 Tbs.
The following are good protein sources for trail vegetarians (like me)
1) TVP - (textured vegetable protein) add it to grits or potatoes with some spike and amino acids
2) Nutritional Yeast - as suggested
3) Seitan Bars - my brand is Primal Strips - this is vegetarian jerky - - I carry stacks of these
4) Peanut Butter (or better, Almond Butter) - mix with Ramen, eat on bagels, etc.
5) Beans and Rice - I get Fantastic Foods dehydrated re-fried bean mix and Instant Brown rice - add sauce (pirated) from Taco Bell
6) Hard boil a couple of eggs if you eat eggs -- A bit bulky, but cheap and easy (maybe just out of a town so you only have to carry one day)
7) IF (and I'm not saying you should) you can eat fish, foil packs of tuna are also an occasional good source
8) Oh yeah - hard cheese - I forgot block cheese - duh - backpacking would be harder on vegans (but they can make do too)
garlic08
01-01-2012, 10:18
I'm a vegetarian (ovo-lacto) hiker and have used nutritional yeast at home but not on the trail. The taste is marginal for me and with my style of hiking resupplying wouldn't be worth it. I eat food, not numbers, and I must get enough protein from cheese and nuts on the trail and legumes, eggs, etc in towns. I didn't loose any weight on the AT, so I must be doing OK with it. In general, I agree with Leaftye's idea above, but with the caveat that you could probably do some damage if all you eat is Little Debbies, for instance.
what? whoa - hold it there Garlic: Little Debbie's are clearly part of the AT Food Pyramid - right there with Chocolate Frosted Pop-Tarts!
garlic08
01-01-2012, 15:51
what? whoa - hold it there Garlic: Little Debbie's are clearly part of the AT Food Pyramid - right there with Chocolate Frosted Pop-Tarts!
Of course they are! I would never suggest otherwise and I never leave home without them. You might as well tell me not to buy $4 Ben and Jerrys pints in every town.
Thanks for everyone's input. Yeah, I misread the nutritional data and misquoted the amount of protein. I actually like Nutritional Yeast so it will work well as a protein and a flavoring. I appreciate some of Papa D's suggestions but a few of them TEAR my digestive system up! Hope you're not hiking behind me if I've been eating TVP. Happy Trails!
It is good to use but wary of eating too much of it. Think of it as as spice really. However it can make a good vegan mac n' cheeze or a good topper.
Recipes? Here you go:
http://www.trailcooking.com/recipes/vegan-one-pot-mac-and-cheese
http://www.trailcooking.com/recipes/vegan-cheese-sauce-mix
http://www.trailcooking.com/recipes/cheesy-rice-and-vegetables
http://www.trailcooking.com/recipes/vegetarian-low-sodium-%E2%80%9Cchicken%E2%80%9D-bouillon-mix
http://www.trailcooking.com/recipes/vegetarian-low-sodium-%E2%80%9Cchicken%E2%80%9D-bouillon-mix-2
SCRUB HIKER
01-03-2012, 01:53
A hiking partner of mine last year often had a little baggie of nutritional yeast with her--like you, she was a vegetarian. I like the stuff so I pinched a little every now and then. You're very unlikely to find it in any towns, though, so mail it to yourself if you think it's going to be a staple.
garlic08
01-03-2012, 09:53
The only place you're likely to find it on the AT is at the Co-op in Hanover. But as mentioned above, a little goes a long way. And it is very light.
Actually one would be shocked where they can find it - it can hidden in a tiny "natural foods" section or with baking or gluten free - in weird places. But for what it is, it is light and carries well. A large quart bag will last you a long time. Get the large flakes though, not the fine powder.
Yes! I carried nutritional yeast with me on my 2009 thru-hike. I'm vegan and carried some with me for various parts of the trail. I included some in the few boxes I mailed to myself. It weighs very little, so a couple ounces worth will last a few weeks. Great source of various vitamins (especially if you get the kind fortified with B12), and I love the taste!
For tvp which is better flavored or unflavored? and what does unflavored take like?
I don't see protien being a problem on a vegan diet.
Oatmeal is 13% protien, and is a complete protien (just a little low on lysine, but not significantly).
Sunflower Seeds are 19% protien.
Lentils are 26% protien, by weight.
Herbs, like parsley, are 22% protien.
Yeast is 38% protien, but how much can you eat?
So it is pretty easy to get enough protien. Even with dried fruit added, you can stay above 15% pretty easy. The important thing is not to take too much 'empty' food like sugars and oils. For a lower carb diet, more nuts and seeds, and you will get more protien than by adding oil.
Wise Old Owl
01-10-2012, 18:19
Years ago I tried yeast flakes and they tasted terrible. Isn't Vegemite made from yeast?
Got something against Vegemite? its Banned in the USA.
Do any thru hikers have experience with using Nutritional Yeast Flakes on the trail? I'm a vegetarian and there's 32 grams of protein per 2 Tbs.
Did someone already say that yeast wasn't vegetarian?
Wise Old Owl
01-10-2012, 18:23
Answer: Yes. Yeast, like mushrooms, are eukaryotic micro-organisms classified in the Fungi kingdom, which in layman's terms means that yeast is not derived from animal products or classified as an animal and is thus vegan-friendly.
:o Oh, quick search: http://dairyfreecooking.about.com/od/dairyfreebasics/f/Do_Vegans_Eat_Yeast.htm
I always assumed that the microorganisms were protozoan.
Marmite, Vegemite, etc. are not banned in the US.
That was just a rumour that got started somehow.
I like to mix textured vegetable protein (TVP) in all sorts of stuff - I became a vegetarian on the AT during my 1985 SOBO thru hike - that was 22 years ago - I now (on occasion) eat fish - especially something fresh and ethically caught by an angler
Wise Old Owl
01-10-2012, 21:59
Marmite, Vegemite, etc. are not banned in the US.
That was just a rumour that got started somehow.
Jak come on its been stopped for import by the government. I remember it being pulled from the shelves due to lack of sales and then - it was gone... the verdict is still out... ps - I AM AUSTRALIAN.
In October 2006, Australian media reported that Vegemite had been banned in the United States, and that the United States Customs Service (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Customs_Service) had gone so far as to search Australians entering the country for Vegemite because it contains folate, a B vitamin approved as an additive in the U.S. for just a few foods, including breakfast cereals.[31] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#cite_note-30)[32] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#cite_note-31)[33] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#cite_note-32) The story appears to have originated as an anecdote by a traveller who claimed to have been searched by U.S. Customs and a spokesperson for Kraft made a misinformed comment to reporters. The story led to some anti-American (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-Americanism) comments in blogs and newspapers. The Herald Sun blamed George W. Bush (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_W._Bush), at the time the president of the United States, for the ban, and encouraged readers to post comments on its website and send emails to the White House.[citation needed (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)]
The US Food and Drug Administration (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_and_Drug_Administration) later stated that there were no plans to subject Vegemite to an import ban, or withdraw it from supermarket shelves. The United States Customs and Border Protection (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Customs_and_Border_Protection) tried to dispel the rumour, stating on its website that "there is no known prohibition on the importation of Vegemite" and "there is no official policy within CBP targeting Vegemite for interception".[34] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#cite_note-cbp-rumor-33) The story of the "ban" later took on the status of urban legend (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urban_legend).[35] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#cite_note-snopes-34) While Vegemite has never been popular in the US, it can still be purchased at supermarkets that stock imported food items.[36] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#cite_note-aap-2-35) However, in September 2011 former Australian Prime Minister (now Foreign Minister) Kevin Rudd (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kevin_Rudd) reported that US Customs officials tried to confiscate his supply of Vegemite as he entered the U.S., but this appears to have been a trivial encounter and not representative of any policy banning its importation into the U.S.[37] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vegemite#cite_note-36)
Marmite, Vegemite, etc. are not banned in the US.
That was just a rumour that got started somehow.
Yep, you can buy it at Cost Plus World Market. Right now. Not that I would in a bajillion years, but it is there. I see it EVERY trip I make to the chain!
How is it made? http://www.bulkfoods.com/yeast.htm There you go. It is grown on cane and beet molasses.
As for the flavor, many claim it is chicken-ey or cheesy. I'd say it is more "warm" tasting to me. It adds depth.
On a somewhat different note, there are two type of Ovaltine available here in New Brunswick.
One is made in the United States and contains more sugar. The other is from the UK.
I like the one without the extra sugar added, as it is already sweet enough.
It also originates as a sort of biproduct of the brewing industry, but is from the malt, not the yeast.
Stuff made for the USA, and Canada, does tend to be sweetened, but an exception to this was that I found some carnation instant breakfasts once in the USA which where higher in protien and lower in sugar, but that was 1988 and I haven't found any since. I'm not a huge fan of instant breakfast as its essentially just skim milk powder and sugar mixed with milk.
Farr Away
01-11-2012, 16:45
For tvp which is better flavored or unflavored? and what does unflavored take like?
I've never tried the flavored tvp. The unflavored tvp doesn't taste like much on its own (bland), but it takes the flavor of whatever you put with it really well.
-FA
On TVP - the hamburger flavor is pretty good. The ham has the salty/smoky but is often dyed with colors so buyer beware.