Is Nutritional Yeast (Yeast Flakes) Acidic or Alkaline?
Nutritional yeast (yeast flakes) (dried) is strongly acid-forming: Positive PRAL: acid-forming after digestion.
Classification
Nutritional yeast is dried, inactive yeast. Yeast is largely made of protein and very rich in phosphorus, hence the high value of +21.2, on par with hard cheese. So as a vegan cheese substitute, this seasoning comes with a similar balance. Since you usually sprinkle only a tablespoon or two over pasta or popcorn, the effect stays small in everyday life.
In the Herbs, Spices & Sauces category, nutritional yeast (yeast flakes) (dried) ranks #73 of 75, sorted from alkaline to acid-forming. More alkaline options include Mustard powder (+14.4), Mustard seeds (+14.4), Hollandaise sauce (+6.1). More acid-forming are Gelatin (+39.2), Baking powder (+339.2).
Acidic or alkaline: PRAL, not pH
On this site, acidic and alkaline refer to the PRAL (potential renal acid load). It estimates what a food leaves behind once it has been digested: a positive value is acid-forming, a negative value is alkalizing. That is different from the pH of the food itself: a lemon tastes sour, yet its PRAL is −4.0, so it is alkalizing. Your diet does not change your blood pH. It does change how much acid your kidneys have to deal with.
What balances nutritional yeast (yeast flakes)
A teaspoon (5 g) of nutritional yeast (yeast flakes) adds +1.1 to your daily balance. These three bring it back; the grams shown offset exactly this serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nutritional yeast (yeast flakes) acidic?
It depends on what you mean by acidic. The pH describes the food itself, for example how sour it tastes. The PRAL describes what it leaves behind after digestion: Nutritional yeast (yeast flakes) (dried) has a PRAL of +21.2 per 100 g, so it counts as strongly acid-forming in your daily acid-base balance.
How much kale offsets a teaspoon (5 g) of nutritional yeast (yeast flakes)?
A teaspoon (5 g) of nutritional yeast (yeast flakes) adds +1.1 to your daily balance. Kale (fresh) has −11.7 per 100 g, so about 10 g of kale offset this serving.
Do I have to avoid nutritional yeast (yeast flakes) on an alkaline diet?
No. What counts is the balance of the whole day, not a single food. Nutritional yeast (yeast flakes) is strongly acid-forming; with enough vegetables, potatoes and fruit on the same plate, the meal stays balanced.
Nutritional Yeast (Yeast Flakes) logged, balance checked.
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Compare all Herbs, Spices & Sauces: Herbs, Spices & Sauces table. Common questions are answered in Acidic or Alkaline?, and the PRAL calculator adds up a whole meal.
Source: Basentracker food database (PRAL according to Remer & Manz, calculated from protein, phosphorus, potassium, magnesium and calcium per 100 g). This information does not replace medical advice.