Why or Why Not?

[blacktulip]

I know there are lots of foods that cause debate in the raw food world. . . and I was wondering if anyone had any definite reasons why nutritional yeast is not healthy for you. . . when so many do use it in recipes and while realize it's not completely raw, saying it has health benefits. If anyone's run across any articles or could provide links to any they've read (either side of the debate), I would be so appreciative, I'd like to read up on this once and for all!!

Thanks. . .

[barose]

I wish I can find a link on it...I heard its not really raw, but I'm not sure.

*I* personally cannot eat it. I had a bad reaction when I had some one time. My stomach started rising like baking bread. It was surreal. I had so much gas and pain then I read some people are allergic to it and do react.

[rawsurfer]

i say listen to your body. if you feel great eating it, then dont fix it. there are certain elements in nature that, get this, actually are more beneficial after some heating. i am completely raw, but i wouldnt have a problem with nutritional yeast or some sort of herb that was better heated. its all about lovin my body, and i follow that.

[blacktulip]

thanks rawsurfer. . . i completely agree. I'm completely raw, with the exception of nutritional yeast occasionally, and miso because i believe that there are things that are on this earth that have benefits and purposes we need, even if they're not "100%" in line with a certain diet plan. For me, it's about following instincts and living as simply and in harmony with the world as I can. so thanks for saying that too!
i ask about the yeast after seeing gabriel cousens recommend not consuming it in several places. . . so curiousity was piqued of course!!!

[andypdx]

I wish I can find a link on it...I heard its not really raw, but I'm not sure.

*I* personally cannot eat it. I had a bad reaction when I had some one time. My stomach started rising like baking bread. It was surreal. I had so much gas and pain then I read some people are allergic to it and do react.
Barose,

There is no reason to be unsure. SImply go to the source. In this case, the website of Lesaffre, the main supplier of nutritional yeast to North America...

http://www.lsaf.com/fraMain.asp?Division=Nutritional Yeast&Section=FAQ


What is primary grown nutritional yeast?

Red Star® primary grown nutritional yeast is an excellent source of protein, dietary fiber, vitamins and minerals. Lesaffre Yeast Corporation derives its primary grown nutritional yeast from pure strains of Saccharomyces cerevisiae grown on a highly purified nutrient source designed specifically for yeast. After the fermentation process is completed the yeast is harvested, thoroughly washed, pasteurized, and dried on roller drum dryers. The special growth medium and unique drying process are the secrets to the exceptional performance and flavor of Red Star® nutritional yeast.


Did you catch that? The yeast is pasteurized. This answers the question of "raw?". Is also describes the FINAL stage in processing. I see nothing about having it "re ferment" or gain any "culture" between this stage in the manufacturing process and your mouth.

Keep in mind that I did eat nutritional yeast for 15 years as a cooked vegan...and even ate some AFTER I became "raw". Why? Well, I was a bit confused myself. I saw many "raw" recipes that included the substance. I even saw prepackaged raw foods at the co-op that included the substance.

When I discovered that nutritional yeast was pasteurized, I stopped eating it - Simple as that. Now, people might even say that nutritional yeast is "good for you". As I cooked vegan, I had people telling me that FISH OIL was good for you. Is it? Perhaps, But as a vegan, I felt that I had no place in eating FISH OIL. Now, as an aspiring 100% raw foodist, I feel that there is no reason to consume pasteurized yeast. Why is it so pervasive in raw recipes? I HAVE NO IDEA. Should you eat it? That's entirely up to you.

But again, this is my decision, which was made based on my own research. I encourage everyone here to make up their own minds too, but not based on hearsay or rumor, but on your own personal discovery of factual evidence.

[barose]

andypdx - sometimes its just too easy! Thanks for posting that.:)

I haven’t seen any raw recipes that required it, nor have I been to a raw restaurant that serves it. I haven’t seen it raw packaged food either (yet). But it’s a good reminder to always read labels. Which books are these BTW?

I know its used as a “cheese” but nuts and seasons can have the same flavor. I've done it and it works. Plus, the raw food restaurant I go to uses a combo of brazil nuts and something else to give the same flavor.

Raw or not, I know its not for me (unless I want to be in pain again).

[LightLover]

Andypdx, I think it is in rawfood for the Taste, it really gives a boost
to taste and is lifting flavours , just like salt, pepper, MSG etc..

ll

[blacktulip]

andypdx. . . thanks for that post. . . i hadn't heard that it was pasteurized, that pretty much ends it for me.
i tend to agree with a lot of what gabriel cousens has written/practices, so that seems to align nicely with your research. . .
thanks again!

[andypdx]

andypdx. . . thanks for that post. . . i hadn't heard that it was pasteurized, that pretty much ends it for me.
i tend to agree with a lot of what gabriel cousens has written/practices, so that seems to align nicely with your research. . .
thanks again!
You're welcome, but please remember...I don't want to sound like I'm trying to rain on anyone's parade. I do agree with what rawsurfer said. You also have to listen to your body. Intuition is just as important as reason and logic. I use both of these symbiotically to arrive at my decisions. There are certain truly raw foods that I won't eat, because they don't "agree" with me. If you want to bend the "rules" a bit...then fine...eat what you like, but realize that what you are eating is not 100% raw.

Why do I see this as important? Well, imagine a newbie stumbling into a website like this, or cracking open a "raw" cookbook, and imagine them seeing many recipes with nutritional yeast or maple syrup. This creates an unspoken impression that these foods are actually raw when they are not. It took me a full month of being "raw" before I figured this out. I was like "WTF?!?...why are you encouraging me to eat this stuff when it isn't raw?" I just don't want anyone who is honestly trying to be raw to fall for the same pitfalls that I did. Clear definitions of RAW are important. Heck, I already know that there are certain foods that I might cut from my diet once I learn more about them. Anyway, if the facts are out there, then what each individual decides to do with this knowledge can be entirely up to them. If there's anything I cannot stand, it's ambiguity.

[blacktulip]

agreed. and i have always had faith in everyone's ability to choose for themselves. we all have the resources within us and we are amazingly changing being who learn new things everyday. ah, the adventure of life.

[LightLover]

Andy, did you find any shelfproducts that are in line with the
tresholdtemperatures of real raw food?

thanks, LL

[andypdx]

Andy, did you find any shelfproducts that are in line with the
tresholdtemperatures of real raw food?

thanks, LL
Well, yes I have...however it seems to be taboo here on this board to refernce specific products or brands too much, so...I'll just say that in several cases, I've found a temperature declaration on the packaging itself and/or on the website of the product. I have seen this on chocolate, agave, nuts, crackers, etc... Perhaps I'm lucky that I live near a great co-op that seems to care about seeking out these products.

Of course, I still have a lingering question...Let's assume that the item was raw (and somewhat stable) when the jar or bag was sealed. Just how quickly does the quality degrade after this point in time? I feel no reason to fear a vacuum sealed bag of "really raw" cashews. Why should I then fear a vacuum sealed jar of cashew butter (assuming it was not overheated) if the only difference between the two is the physical arrangement of the cashews? (whole vs. ground up)

[LightLover]

Andy, your lingering question is just by coincidence dealth with in the thread
about raw bars, just below this thread

ll