There are literally hundreds of thousands of different foods out there to choose from, but you may be surprised by the number of foods that start with Y.
In fact, one y food may be far healthier than another y food, even if they both start with the same letter!
Here are common foods that start with Y and their health impacts. I’ve compiled all my favorite foods (in no particular order) that start with y for your convenience.
1. Yorkshire Pudding
To start with, on the list of foods that start with Y, Yorkshire pudding, a delectable baked dish, is usually served as a side item to meat.
Traditionally made in Yorkshire, England, and also referred to as simply pudding, it’s often accompanied by gravy.
In addition to being enjoyed on its own, it can also be added to sandwiches or taken along for picnics.
Though its exact origins aren’t clear, many believe Yorkshire housewives first made it. Probably, to stretch their limited food resources during times of poverty.
Sometimes spelled Yorkshire Pudding (with an apostrophe) is an egg-based bread pudding with a crispy top and bottom crust.
2. Yuca/Yucca
Another one of the foods that start with y is the Yuca. This is a starchy, tuberous root vegetable. It has been cultivated for over 4000 years, originating in Central and South America.
However, the roots are poisonous if not prepared correctly but can be used safely as an edible starch once properly prepared. It can be either roasted or boiled for several hours in clean water.
In modern times, yucca flour is sometimes added to soups to thicken them and provide more texture than pure broth can give.
Similar to potatoes, Yucca’s flavor is slightly sweet. Keep in mind that it does not have gluten when cooking with yucca flour and baking with it.
Also, it requires different proportions of leavening ingredients compared to wheat flour in baked goods like pancakes.
3. Yeast
Thinking of foods that start with y, the yeast shouldn’t be a hard guess, right? Moreso, did you know beer and bread are both made from yeast?
Did you know yogurt has probiotics, which are good bacteria? Or did you know soy sauce actually started as a byproduct of miso production? And so much more! There are literally so many purposes yeast serves!
In fact, yeast is responsible for all those lovely, tasty bread we enjoy daily. When dissolved in warm water, it becomes a frothy mixture that raises the dough.
We use yeast in cooking because its sole purpose is to consume sugar and turn it into carbon dioxide gas. It does not affect flavor when used properly.
4. Yogurt
Yogurt is a type of dairy food typically made from cow’s milk and often flavored or sweetened. The texture can range from thick and creamy to thin, depending on how much whey has been strained off.
Often, Yogurt is served as a breakfast item or snack, but it also plays a role in many cuisines of Asia and eastern Europe.
In addition, yogurt’s many different types of bacteria, yeast, and fungi thrive. This allows for fermentation processes like those involved in cheese-making to take place.
Also, it is used to prepare cultured butter at home. Wait! Were you thinking of foods that start with y, and yogurt didn’t pop up? Almost impossible!
5. Yautia
Yautia is one of the foods that start with y. This starchy vegetable is often used in Puerto Rican cuisine and goes by several different names depending on where you are.
In Puerto Rico, it’s called malanga; in Jamaica, tannia, and in Belize, it’s referred to as dasheen.
Despite its multiple names and different uses, it’s still an interesting plant because of its nutritional value. The yautia is low in fat but high in fiber, vitamins A and C, and iron.
As a matter of fact, one serving provides almost your entire daily recommended allowance of vitamin C! A great source of calcium and potassium rounds out this nutritional giving you plenty to be happy about when eating yautia!
6. Yellow Beans
Yellow beans (Phaseolus vulgaris), also called wax beans, are related to kidney and pinto beans. They have a yellow color when cooked and are popular in Asian cuisine.
Yellow beans belong to the Phaseolus Vulgaris group of plants and contain some amount of carbohydrates, fiber, protein, and a very low amount of fat.
Since yellow beans are rich in dietary fiber, consuming them can help you lose weight because they make you feel full for longer periods.
Also, it is suggested that people who eat high amounts of dietary fiber, like yellow beans, have a lower risk of cancer. And that’s one of the foods that start with y and its many nutritional benefits!
7. Yakisoba
Japan’s yakisoba is also on the list of foods that start with y; it is a delicious stir-fried noodle dish. Although it’s not as popular outside of Japan, it can easily be prepared at home for a tasty and unique meal or snack.
It has been said to have originated in Osaka during World War II when flour was hard to come by, and chefs began using egg noodles instead.
Today, you can find yakisoba noodles on Japanese restaurant menus worldwide. However, some dishes are similar to yakisoba, too, like Hong Kong-style chow mein.
Instead of being served in one big pan, they are usually eaten individually in bowls or on small plates. Also, they prepared tableside with individual pans placed around each serving area.
8. Yakitori
Yakitori is a popular Japanese food made from chicken meat and vegetables cooked over an open flame or an electric grill.
The word yakitori means grilled bird in Japanese, referring to both chicken and its associated parts (mostly kushiyaki).
The traditional preparation of yakitori takes advantage of these parts in different ways. For instance, chicken breast can be served as tebasaki (wings), hosshitsuji-yakitori (breast), or tsukune (minced meat).
Meanwhile, other types of ingredients are prepared through different processes, including grilling or frying.
It is also worth mentioning that yakitori restaurants offer a variety of cooking styles depending on what you choose to order. We still have many other foods that start with y on our list. Read further!
9. Yellowfin Tuna
The next to be discussed as part of the foods that start with y is the yellowfin tuna. Yes, that’s right. If you want to try something new or different in your diet, why not choose yellowfin tuna?
Yellowfin has twice as much protein per ounce as lean beef and is a great source of omega-3 fatty acids. The best way to prepare yellowfin is sashimi-style (raw), but you can also bake it, broil it, or sauté it.
The meat of yellowfin tuna is eaten as food. It is common in cans but can also be eaten fresh and raw.
Specifically, Yellowfin is a tuna species in which wild fish and aquaculture play important roles. Yellowfin is sought after by sports fishers worldwide. Recreational fishing for yellowfin tuna has increased considerably in recent years.
10. Yuzu
Still, on the varieties of foods that start with y, the yuzu (Citrus Junos) is a citrus fruit closely related to both lemon and lime.
It is roughly similar in appearance, aroma, and taste to a lemon. In China, it is known as ‘Yuja’ or ‘juju’.
Moreover, the word yuzu is from Japanese. Its scientific name Citrus Junos was given by Robert Moxon in 1823, who discovered there are actually two varieties of yuzu.
One of them turned out to be identical to papedasiferum, discovered in Cuba at about the same time.
11. Yacon
Have you heard of yacon? Commonly found in Peru, these roots are also known as Peruvian ground apples since they’re similar in taste to apples. They’re great for sweetening foods and can be used like agave nectar or even maple syrup.
A half cup of yacon contains about 7 grams of fiber, making it a good substitute for those who have a tough time eating enough fiber on their own. Also, it’s rich in antioxidants and amino acids, which together give yacon its cancer-fighting properties.
If you haven’t tried it yet, now’s your chance! It is one of those foods that start with y and contains so many health benefits!
12. Yolk
One of the foods that start with y is the yolk. Considered to be one of nature’s perfect foods, yolks are packed with vitamins and minerals, including vitamin D and calcium.
They’re also chock-full of essential nutrients, like fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K—vitamins you can only get from animal sources.
Nonetheless, don’t let cholesterol concerns keep you from trying whole eggs. Research shows consuming a variety of different types of dietary fats is what actually supports heart health and lowers your risk for disease.
13. Youngberry
The youngberry (Rubus × brevicaulis) is not left out of the list of foods that start with y. It is a naturally occurring hybrid of raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and blackberry (Rubus fruticosus).
It is believed to have originated in Europe, but it is now cultivated primarily for fresh consumption throughout Europe. In many countries, youngberries are called yummies or yumbos.
In addition, the youngberry bush can be trained as an upright shrub or as a trailing plant on trellis-like structures.
They grow best in sandy and loamy soils, but they also do well in heavy clay. If grown commercially, youngberries are usually hand-harvested when they are 50–75% colored. And then immediately treated to prevent them from becoming overly ripe and soft.
14. Yukon Gold Potatoes
These potatoes are characterized by their thin, light-yellow skin and buttery yellow flesh. Yukon Golds have thin skin and buttery flesh.
Also, they’re low in starch content, so they don’t go as gluey or gummy as some other potato varieties.
As a plus, this makes them good for mashing, so they’re great to use in potato salads and more casual side dishes. One cup of Yukon Gold potatoes has about 195 calories and only 1 gram of fat.
It’s one of those foods that start with y and are an excellent source of vitamin C and potassium. Again, they are a very good source of manganese (the recommended daily value is just 14 percent).
15. Yellowtail Fish
Not only is the yellowtail one of Japan’s national treasures, but it’s also often confused for other fish like yellowfin and barracuda.
Yellowtail isn’t a type of tuna, but it shares some similar characteristics. The most noticeable is its brilliant color (yellow) which has earned it more than one nickname over time: Golden Tail and Egg Fish.
Yellowtail gets its signature orange-red hue from carotenoids such as astaxanthin in algae and krill, which is why you’ll see similar colors in salmon or trout.
16. Yellow Squash
Like some types of foods that start with y, Yellow Squash is a great food to eat if you are trying to lose weight. Squash is very low in calories and contains few fat-producing properties.
Squash can add flavor to many of your favorite dishes, whether cooked or eaten raw, without adding inches to your waist.
Meanwhile, Yellow squash tastes like zucchini only blander and can be used as a substitute in just about any recipe that calls for zucchini.
It is also rich in vitamins A and C, which have been proven to ward off cancerous cells while helping the body absorb calcium.
17. Yorkshire Teacakes
Yorkshire teacakes are little pastries, typically filled with currants or sometimes lemon rind and covered in icing sugar.
The cakes originated in Yorkshire around 1722 and were sold at outdoor markets by 19th-century women. Today you can find these tasty little treats all over England.
However, if you can’t get your hands on some authentic ones, don’t fret—any sweet dessert will work for this recipe! Our list of foods that start with y is far from over; we’re just getting started!
18. Yellow Pepper
Yellow pepper is basically a green pepper (which also starts with y) that has been left on a vine until it’s ripe. Also, they may be called orange peppers or red peppers.
Their color can range from pale yellow to deep orange-red depending on when they were picked and how long they were allowed to ripen.
Yellow peppers are very popular in Mexico and Central America, where they are generally milder in flavor than other varieties of sweet pepper.
As one of the foods that start with y, they work well in soups or are mixed into scrambled eggs for added color. Also, try stuffing them with soft cheeses for an appetizer at your next dinner party!
19.Yellow Watermelon
While often regarded as a fruit, watermelon is really a member of the melon family, along with honeydew and cantaloupe. (Cantaloupe is green on the outside but orange-red on the inside.)
Not everyone likes cantaloupe, so yellow watermelon has been around for about 15 years.
It’s sweeter than most other types of watermelons because it contains extra sugars called betacyanin and betaxanthin, which give it its yellow flesh.
The taste? Some say it tastes like honeydew melon mixed with banana or pineapple. Regardless, it is one of the foods that start with Y.
20. Yellow Mango
Every country has food and ingredients they are famous for. For instance, Mexican cuisine contains common staple corn, beans, chiles, and cilantro (or coriander if you’re not in North America).
But did you know that mangoes grow in Mexico as well? And when ripe, they turn yellow? If you’ve never had a yellow mango before, then perhaps it’s time to try one of those foods that start with Y. Yellow mangos have a sweet flavor to them and are best eaten fresh!
21. Yali Pears
It’s a fruit, not a person. In fact, it’s one of the dozens of delicious foods that start with Y. How many have you tried? (Don’t look at us—there are only so many hours in a day.)
That’s why we’ve put together a list of some weird and wonderful fruits to help you learn about different cultures, countries, and cuisines. So go on—try something new!
22. Yams
Definitely, yam is one of the foods that start with Y. The yam is an edible tuber, and it has become synonymous in some parts of the world with other root vegetables from other botanical families. This includes sweet potatoes, which are part of a separate family.
Sweet potatoes and yams are not closely related: their common name is due to their similar appearance and taste.
Unlike true yams, they do not belong to the Dioscoreaceae family but are more closely related to morning glories.
Sweet potatoes are often confused with yams, even though they are in a completely different plant family. So here’s your lesson: What you call them doesn’t matter. Just enjoy!
23. Yellow Moong Dal
Another one on our list of foods that starts with Y is the Moong dal. This is a very popular lentil in Indian cuisine. It is a yellow-colored split legume, also known as a ‘split-skinned’ dal.
In Hindi, moong means green gram, though it is more yellow than green. Yellow Moong Dal is a form of Moong Dal which has been skinned and split.
24. Yellow Eye Beans
Yellow eye beans, also called wax beans or gungo peas, are a popular choice for vegans and vegetarians who want to incorporate pulses into their diets.
These foods are easy to digest, making them a great choice for those just beginning their vegan/vegetarian journeys.
Also, they’re highly versatile; they can be added to soups, curries, casseroles, and other dishes. Did you think of them as being part of the list of foods that start with Y?
25. Yiros
Forget gyros; there’s another Greek food trend taking over. If you want to know what yiros is, you better read on. Don’t say we didn’t warn you!
Since Yiros are a brand new kind of food, it can be hard to know where to start. Luckily for you, we have all of your questions covered right here!
From mouthwatering ingredients to healthy alternatives, here is everything you need to know about Yiros and how they can become part of your diet.
Now, what is a yiros? A Yiros (pronounced yee-rohs) is not only one of the foods that start with Y but also a type of sandwich served from popular street food stands in Greece. The name comes from two words: yia-rohso, which means to grill.
In fact, grilled meats are one of their main ingredients – and if you think that sounds delicious already, wait until you hear some of their other toppings!
26. Yodels
Who doesn’t love ice cream? Well, even if you don’t, you should try Yodels! Most people think of ice cream cones when they hear the word yodel, but have you ever had one of these delectable desserts? It is like an Ice Cream sandwich but better.
For example, there is a brownie instead of a chocolate chip cookie. Then it is covered in your choice of coating (I recommend dark chocolate).
The result: heaven in my mouth. And as if that wasn’t enough to get you drooling, let me tell you about their flavors!
First off, they have a store flavor called Blackout, which is dark chocolate + fudge + caramel – PERFECTION! However, the last of our food list starts with Y!
Conclusion
So, as you can see, there are many delicious and healthy foods that start with Y. In fact, some of your favorite foods may already start with Y!
From yogurt to yams to bananas and so much more, there’s a lot to love about beginning your day off right. Learn more ways to get in great nutrition by checking out these related articles!
