Are you a ‘happy little Vegemite as bright as bright can be?’ The old Vegemite jingle, featured for the first time in a 1954 TV ad, tells us the dark salty spread can help us grow stronger every single week.
But is it true? Is Vegemite really good for you – or something to eat in moderation? While diet advice is best given by a nutritionist or dietician, we’ve done some digging to get the scoop on the spread.
What exactly is Vegemite?
While foreign visitors may question how on earth Aussies can eat Vegemite, it’s something many of us have grown up eating. The salty, yeasty, black paste is often spread on bread or crackers – sometimes alone, other times with butter or even avocado. And some of us will only take a bite if it’s paired with cheese.
How is Vegemite made?
Until the stereotype proves wrong, we Aussies love a big glass of cold beer. So it’s no surprise that Vegemite is made from the same stuff! Yes, that humble spread is actually made from brewer’s yeast, made during the beer brewing process.
The yeast gobbles up all the sugar during fermentation. It’s then removed, washed, and heated in water. During a spinning process, the yeast cells disappear and the remaining mixture is processed, ready to be made into Vegemite.
What else does Vegemite contain?
The marketing spiel says Vegemite is high in B vitamins – and it’s true. It contains a giant dose of folate (which is essential for pregnant women), as well as vitamins B1, B2, and B3.
It’s also virtually void of fat and low in sugar and carbohydrates. So you don’t have to worry about Vegemite making its way to your hips.
Bear in mind, however, that Vegemite is very high in sodium (salt) – around 10 percent of the recommended daily intake in just one teaspoon! So if you’re on a low-salt diet, you’d do best to avoid it.
It’s what you do with it, darl
Here’s where things get tricky: On its own, Vegemite is a healthy enough food. However, it’s what you put it on that makes the difference. Many of us love smearing butter and vegemite on hot toast, but processed breads are usually packed with preservatives, sugar, salt, fat, carbohydrates and more. Some crackers also aren’t particularly healthy. So it’s important to choose wisely when it comes to your Vegemite accoutrements. Your nutritionist or dietician can help you make a healthier choice – they may suggest sourdough or other varieties as an alternative.
Originally published on Oct 24, 2016
