Have you tasted Vegemite before? If you’re not from around these parts there’s a high chance that you haven’t and if you have, you most likely don’t like it!
I’m a born and bred Aussie so of course I have tried Vegemite and all of its commercial alternatives. I grew up to the catchy tune that echoed throughout every Australian home in the 80s. Those were fun times!
I’m not sure it gave me those rosy cheeks though??
Being an all natural mumma now, I’ve chosen not to feed this iconic spread to my children. Ingredients like yeast grown on barley and wheat, and other ingredients like Potassium Chloride (Mineral Salt 508) and Ammonia caramel (Colour 150C), are additives that are best avoided. Here’s why!..
INGREDIENTS TO AVOID AND WHY
YEAST GROWN ON BARLEY AND WHEAT:
High possibility this product is GMO and also contains gluten.
MINERAL SALT 508:
Prohibited in foods for infants. Can cause gastrointestinal and liver issues.
AMMONIA CARAMEL (150C):
Also prohibited in food for infants and is known to cause allergic and hypersensitive reactions and hyperactivity.
FLAVOURS:
This quite literally could be anything! The chemical composition of flavourings can be complex and because of this reason, Food Standards Australia New Zealand exempts companies from fully disclosing, and therefore not labelling, exactly what their “flavour” consists of. There could be 50 or more substances (or ingredients) that make up just one flavour. For a savvy mum making wise choices about the food they are feeding their kids, this presents a real problem. Best to avoid!
WHAT ABOUT THE VITAMINS!!?
It is true that Vegemite is renowned as having added vitamins such as Niacin, Thiamine, Riboflavin and Folate, however unfortunately, these vitamins are synthetic! The body does not absorb and therefore utitilise them, in the same way as it would if they were naturally found in wholefoods.
NOT A HEALTH FOOD PRODUCT
Although we may have fond memories of our childhood and Vegemite playing a starring role, let’s not forget that it was a pantry item created from a waste product. Breweries at the time had a surplus of leftover yeast and so with the help of a chemist, Vegemite was born and marketed to the people as the latest and greatest thing. It was heavily promoted (hence the catchy tune) to appeal to busy mums and fussy kids.
It was never intended to be a health food product.
A NATURAL ALTERNATIVE
When something is super simple to make and it uses all natural ingredients, I want to know about it. A friend recently shared this recipe with me and it is so good, I had to share it with you!
HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED
- 3 1/2 cups organic black sesame seeds
- 2 tbl organic sesame oil
- 1/8 tsp rock/sea salt
- 150g organic Tamari (Soy Sauce)
- 3 tbl Bragg Nutritional Yeast Seasoning
- 3 tsp organic Apple Cider Vinegar
STEP 1 – MAKE THE BLACK TAHINI PASTE
- In a high speed blender, grind up the sesame seeds.
- Add the sesame oil and salt and blitz again.
- This makes your Black Tahini Paste. You will only need 210g for this recipe.
- Store the rest in a glass jar in the fridge for up to one month.
STEP 2 – COMBINE INGREDIENTS
- Take 210g of your Black Tahini Paste and add it back to your high speed blender.
- Add the tamari, nutritional yeast and apple cider vinegar and blend well.
- Transfer to a glass jar and store in the fridge.
THE END RESULT
A delicious savoury, salty spread to put on sourdough and crackers..
You could even add a tablespoon to a hearty stew!
Are you a Vegemite lover?
Even if you’re not, you might like to still try this yummy recipe.
Let me know what you think!
