Taste versus “Health”
For people looking for dairy alternatives or healthy options, there is a debate about butter versus margarine. Here are the differences and which one is actually better for you.
All About Butter
Butter is a dairy product made from milk or cream. It’s used with all your favorites, from making desserts like cakes and cookies to spreading it on bread and to cooking.
Critics against butter say its fat content can be higher than margarine and increase cholesterol due to its saturated animal fat.
At the same time, butter has its benefits. With baking, butter texture from its high-fat content. Plus, it is more resistant to being broken down by heat. Most of all, butter has far better flavor and it is a real food compared to margarine which is processed food.
All About Margarine
Margarine is made from vegetable oils, water, salt, and often emulsifiers. It is important to note that not all kinds of margarine are created equal. Some contain trans fat, particularly the ones sold in sticks that replicate butter. (If you decide to use butter, look for the tubs which are often not hydrogenated.)
Trans fats are unhealthy saturated fats that increase blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. While companies claim to be in the process of eliminating hydrogenated margarine, you must read the labels.
“No trans fat” is what you should look for. A label that reads “0g of trans fat” can still technically contain trace amounts.
Margarine has high water content. When used for baked goods, the result is a soft texture. Recipes that call for margarine take into account its water content. When using margarine in place of butter, the overall flavor will lack depth. And, if it’s a cookie recipe, the cookies may thin out and burn while baking.
Butter versus Margarine
As already implied from both the butter and the margarine differences, butter is not just better, it is best.
It wins in flavor and the fact that it’s a real food product. If you are worried about your heart health, use less or consider alternatives like extra virgin coconut oil or coconut oil.
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