Butter Vs. Margarine Controversy

For years we have been sworn off eating butter, largely due to its high fat and calorie content. But more speculation has arisen as to whether or not margarine is really a healthier alternative. Although they are both sources of fat, butter and margarine contain different kinds of fat, which is important when deciding which one is healthier. Butter is made from saturated fat in cow´s milk, which doesn't make butter a very healthy option, particularly for people watching their weight. Saturated fat is a bad fat that raises LDL (bad cholesterol).

Margarine is made from vegetable oil which means it contains no cholesterol. Instead, margarine is higher in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, the good fats. However, margarine is formed by a process called hydrogenation which turns liquid oil into a solid. This process turns the once unsaturated oil into a saturated fat and also creates high levels of trans fats. These fats are responsible for raising LDL cholesterol which can lead to disease. Trans fat can increase blood insulin levels, which increases the risk for diabetes. While butter contains less trans fat then margarine, butter has a higher saturated fat content overall, so it's consistently deemed unhealthier. In actual fact, butter has a higher nutritional content than margarine What so many fail to realize is that margarine is largely a “fake food.” Where as butter is made from all natural products, margarine is not. For a food to truly be deemed healthy, it should be made from natural ingredients. This way the body recognizes it and thus processes it effectively. Shockingly, margarine does NOT contain fewer calories than butter.               

Tips for choosing margarines and butter:

Select a margarine with the lowest trans fat content possible, with less than 2 grams of saturated and  trans fats. Look for “whipped butter,” light or reduced-calorie butter. There are also spreadable butters with vegetable oils added. These products have less fat and calories than regular butter. In general, if you prefer the fact that butter is a natural product and that it tastes better, just use less of it! Have Little To None.

Refference: CoreHealthNutrition.com