Why are people eating yeast?

Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson’s “This or That” yeast pick

In a live London podcast recording, Michelle Obama and her brother Craig Robinson played a “This or That” game that sparked a wave of curiosity about yeast. The conversation framed yeast as a surprising everyday food choice—something many people overlook until a viral moment makes it the topic of the day.

The practical takeaway for home cooks is that yeast is usually about fermentation, not “mystery health food.” In most kitchens, yeast is the leavening that helps dough rise for bread, pizza crust, and certain baked goods. When people ask “why are you eating yeast?” they’re often reacting to confusion between:

• Active dry/instant yeast used for baking and proofing dough
• Nutritional yeast (a deactivated, savory ingredient used for a cheese-like flavor in vegan cooking)

Yeast matters because it changes texture and structure. It turns sugars in the dough into gas, creating bubbles that expand during fermentation and baking. That’s why recipes that call for yeast typically produce lighter crumb, better browning, and more complex flavor.

In other words, the moment is mostly entertainment and conversation, but it highlights something real: yeast is a core ingredient behind many popular foods, and it can show up in both baking and pantry-style flavoring.

If you’re trying to use yeast at home, follow recipe instructions for the specific type you bought (baking yeast vs. nutritional yeast), since they behave differently in cooking.