Butter. Yogurt butter. Olive-oil margarine. There’s no end to the variety of spreads available today. How do you know which ones are healthy for your heart?
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“Sure, butter is creamy and spreadable, but it provides a significant source of saturated fat which in excess can lead to elevated blood cholesterol,” says preventive cardiology dietitian Julia Zumpano, RD, LD. “Margarine, made from plant-based fats and oils, is supposedly heart-healthier. However, not all margarine is created equal. Most margarines contain unhealthy plant oils in order to keep them solid.”
Zumpano breaks down nine types of spreads that you should keep your eye out for:
1. Butter –100 calories and 7 grams of saturated fat in one tablespoon
Butter is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which can push you past daily limits for saturated fat (10 to 15 grams) and cholesterol (200 mg), increasing the risk of heart disease.
2. Light butter –50 calories and 3.5 grams of saturated fat in one tablespoon
Light butter has half the calories, saturated fat and cholesterol of butter.
3. Light butter blended with oil –50 calories and 2 grams of saturated fat in one tablespoon
This blend of light butter and oil has heart-healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (MUFAs and PUFAs).
4. Yogurt butter– 45 calories and 1.5 grams of saturated fat in one tablespoon
Yogurt butter is a blend of nonfat yogurt, vegetable oils (soybean, palm, palm kernel and canola) and water. Low-fat and lowest in calories, it can help you with weight loss.
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5. Margarine-60 to 100 calories with 0.5 to 2 grams of saturated fat in one tablespoon
Margarine may contain trans fat, which raises LDL (bad) cholesterol, lowers HDL (good) cholesterol and makes blood platelets stickier, increasing heart disease risk. Margarine containing hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils contain trans fats and should be avoided.
6. Light margarine –40 to 45 calories with 4.5 to 5 grams of saturated fat in one tablespoon
Light margarine contains less saturated and trans fat than regular margarine.
7. Margarine with phytosterols –70 calories with 1 gram of saturated fat in one tablespoon
A spread with heart-healthy plant sterols or stanols; 2 grams per day can help lower LDL cholesterol if your diet is low in saturated fat and cholesterol.
8. Light margarine with phytosterols –45 to 50 calories with 1 gram of saturated fat in one tablespoon
This light margarine has fewer calories and fat than regular margarine.
9. Vegan olive oil spread –80 calories and 2 to 3 grams of saturated fat in one tablespoon
A vegan olive oil spread is a blend of canola, palm-fruit and olive oils with MUFAs that can increase HDL, lower LDL and reduce inflammation if you follow a heart-healthy diet.
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What’s better for your heart?
When it comes to choosing between margarine and butter, the real answer is that neither is a good choice.
Avoid solid fats and choose mainly liquid oils like extra virgin olive oil. If you can’t give up the solid fat and are willing to use it in moderation, you can limit to 1 teaspoon of real unsalted butter because it provides 2.3 grams of saturated fat, which is the least processed choice. Otherwise, choose a butter olive oil blend which provides 2.3 grams of saturated fat for 1 tablespoon if you would like more volume. Keep in mind all other butter blends or margarines contain unhealthy plant oils and additives such as food coloring, fillers and gums.
“Replacing all saturated fat in your diet with MUFAs and PUFAs can lower bad cholesterol,” she says. “If you can’t give up butter and don’t have heart disease, make sure you aren’t getting more than 10 to 15 grams of saturated fat per day.”
But what keeps butter and margarine solid at room temperature? In butter, it’s saturated fat (also in full-fat dairy products and red meat). In margarine, it’s trans fat that’s created when hydrogen is used to harden vegetable oil. More often, for tub margarine, plant-based solid fats are used such as palm or palm kernel oils.
Many stick margarines may contain trans fat, so tubs are usually better.
Forheart health, try brushing your bread or toast witholive oil. Become an expertlabel readerat the grocery store and always check ingredients on the label. Be aware that even margarine that’s advertised with zero trans fat may contain up to 0.5 grams.
“The take home message is to use extra virgin olive oil most often, read labels and check ingredients for any solid spreads to minimize saturated fat and unhealthy oils,” says Zumpano. “If most of the fat is heart-healthy monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fat, that’s a good thing. But if there is even a miniscule amount of trans fat, that’s a problem.”
As a nutrition and health enthusiast with a deep understanding of dietary choices and their impact on heart health, let me delve into the concepts discussed in the article on various spreads. I bring a wealth of knowledge to help you navigate the complex landscape of butter, margarine, and other spread options.
1. Saturated Fat and Cholesterol: The article emphasizes the negative effects of saturated fat and cholesterol on heart health. Saturated fats, found in butter, are linked to elevated blood cholesterol levels, increasing the risk of heart disease. Cholesterol content in dietary choices should be monitored to stay within recommended daily limits.
2. Light Butter: Light butter is introduced as a lower-calorie alternative to regular butter, containing half the calories, saturated fat, and cholesterol. This option is suitable for individuals seeking to reduce their calorie and fat intake while still enjoying a buttery flavor.
3. Light Butter Blended with Oil: A blend of light butter and oil is presented as a heart-healthy option, incorporating monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats (MUFAs and PUFAs). These fats have been associated with positive effects on cholesterol levels and overall heart health.
4. Yogurt Butter: Yogurt butter is highlighted as a low-fat and low-calorie option. Comprising nonfat yogurt, vegetable oils, and water, it offers a weight-loss-friendly alternative to traditional butter.
5. Margarine: The article cautions about the potential presence of trans fats in margarine, which can raise LDL (bad) cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease. Hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, common in some margarines, should be avoided.
6. Light Margarine: Light margarine is presented as a lower-fat alternative to regular margarine, containing reduced amounts of saturated and trans fats. It offers a compromise for those seeking a lighter spread option.
7. Margarine with Phytosterols: This type of margarine incorporates heart-healthy plant sterols or stanols, known to help lower LDL cholesterol. It serves as a targeted choice for individuals focusing on cholesterol management.
8. Light Margarine with Phytosterols: A lighter version of margarine with added phytosterols is introduced, providing a lower-calorie option with the potential cholesterol-lowering benefits of plant sterols.
9. Vegan Olive Oil Spread: A vegan olive oil spread, combining canola, palm-fruit, and olive oils with MUFAs, is recommended for heart health. It is suggested to increase HDL, lower LDL, and reduce inflammation for those following a heart-healthy diet.
10. Choosing Between Butter and Margarine: The article concludes by advising against both butter and margarine for heart health. Instead, it suggests opting for liquid oils like extra virgin olive oil. If solid fats are preferred, moderation is key, and alternatives like butter-olive oil blends are recommended.
11. Solid Fats: Solid fats in butter are attributed to saturated fat, while in margarine, it's trans fat, often created through hydrogenation of vegetable oils. The article suggests opting for tub margarine over stick margarine, as the former tends to have lower trans fat content.
12. Extra Virgin Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is promoted as a top choice for heart health. Brushing bread or toast with olive oil is recommended, and the article emphasizes the importance of being a meticulous label reader to identify heart-healthy fats and avoid unhealthy additives.
In summary, making informed choices about spreads involves considering the types of fats present, their impact on cholesterol, and choosing options that align with heart-healthy dietary goals.
