Butter vs. Margarine

When it comes to spreads for your bread, I am a longtime proponent of olive oil. Its heart-healthy fats are a much better choice than margarine or butter.

Margarine was originally developed as a cheap substitute for butter, and has evolved from some fairly unappealing animal-based ingredients into a vegetable-oil based spread with added chemicals that make it more flavorful and easier to spread. To achieve that solid, spreadable consistency, margarine manufacturers hydrogenate vegetable oil, creating unhealthy compounds that may contribute to heart disease and stroke. In addition, the heat and chemicals used to harden vegetable oils produce trans-fatty acids (TFAs), which can contribute to heart disease, increase cancer risks, promote inflammation and accelerate tissue degeneration.

Butter is traditionally made from animal milk and contains saturated fat, but is definitely the better choice. In fact, some recent studies suggest that natural saturated fats may not significantly contribute to cardiovascular disease, though I believe further study is warranted. In any case, butter is closer to a whole food than margarine. If you must opt for a spread that is not olive oil, I suggest natural, organic butter in limited quantities.

Comments

[Paul Charles Leddy]

I like to put the olive oil in a small glass dish, add some chopped garlic, salt, a few drops of balsamic.

It can be covered overnight. And the garlic will be absorbed by the oil the longer the mixture stands.

A teaspoon is useful for spreading it. And I would like to get a small brush.

I would be interested in others ideas.

[Sean]

I always use butter rather than margarine ever since, it's just that I like taste and much healthier.

[Larry Miller]

I remain a tick confused. I have long used Earth Balance margarine which seems fine. It says no trans-fats, it does NOT mention hydrogenation. Assuming they are not outright lying, what is the problem?

It's my impression that Earth Balance, or perhaps Smart Balance, are OK in modest quantities (a thin spread on bread once/twice a day). It would also appear from Dr. Weil's comments, as I read them, that a little butter ain't such a bad thing either. Note I said "a little." That does not mean "slathering it on."

Interested to hear other thoughts that might clarify these ambiguities and multiguities.