Nutritional yeast and active dry yeast are two completely different food products. The key differences between them are in their leavening capability and nutritional value, or lack thereof. Active dry yeast is perishable and used primarily to make breads and other leavened doughs. Nutritional yeast is nonperishable and used primarily to add nutrients and flavor to other foods. Neither one may be used as a replacement for the other.
Nutritional Yeast: Identification
Nutritional yeast is flaky and yellow in color. It may be sold as a packaged food item or in the bulk foods section of grocery stores or health food markets. Nutritional yeast doesn't spoil. It preserves well at room temperature and has no expiration date.
Nutritional Yeast: Nutritional Value
While the USDA National Nutrient Database does not have a listing for nutritional yeast, according to two sources, L. Dunne's "The Nutrition Almanac" and E. Whitney's "Understanding Normal and Clinical Nutrition," nutritional yeast is high in 17 vitamins, including the full B complex of vitamins, 14 minerals including chromium, phosphorus and zinc, and 16 of the 20 amino acids.
Nutritional Yeast: Uses
Nutritional yeast has no leavening capabilities whatsoever. Its primary use is to add nutritive value to foods, including breads. "Joy of Cooking" says that you can add 1 to 3 teaspoons to each cup of flour without adversely affecting taste or texture. Nutritional yeast is typically added to a dish immediately prior to or upon serving, much like salt and pepper or parmesan cheese. Unlike active dry yeast, nutritional yeast is meant to be eaten in its original form, preferably after being moistened by mixing with food. Nutritional yeast has a flavor often described as similar to cheese.
Active Dry Yeast: Identification
Active dry yeast is beige or tan and comes in small granules. Usually it comes in moisture-proof, airtight packets measuring 1/4 ounce, equal to 2.5 teaspoons, though it can also be found in 4-ounce jars. Often, but not exclusively, it is sold in the refrigerated foods aisle of the supermarket. When active dry yeast is packaged and sold, it is in a dormant state, and you activate it when needed with warm water and sugar. Active dry yeast can spoil. Therefore, it is best stored in the refrigerator and should be used by the expiration date printed on the package.
Active Dry Yeast: Nutritional Value
Active dry yeast has very little nutritional value. According to the USDA's National Nutrient Database, one 7.2-gram packet of active dry yeast contains 23 calories, 2.91 grams of protein, 0.55 grams of fat, 2.97 grams of carbohydrate and 1.9 grams of fiber. It has 168 micrograms of folate, 69 milligrams of potassium, 46 milligrams of phosphorus, some sodium, magnesium, calcium and niacin and trace amounts of several other vitamins and minerals.
Active Dry Yeast: Uses
Active dry yeast leavens breads, baked goods and other foods. As one of the initial steps of the baking process, it is typically mixed with lukewarm water and sugar to activate the dormant yeast so that it may leaven the flour subsequently added to it. Unlike nutritional yeast, active dry yeast should not be eaten in its original form and has an unpleasant flavor.
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