Butter vs margarine

kaylemartin

I have just read this article from the Daily Mail; http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2274747/At-truth-Butter-GOOD--margarine-chemical-gunk.html#axzz2JwLEYAle

As interesting as it is, I think most of us here ALREADY know what lurks in that tub of margarine! I've been using Lurpak lighter for a while and have to say it's rather dodgy! Try melting it in a pan - doesn't quite break down.

The thing that concerns me about this article is the statement that butter is healthy - which, of course it is - in MODERATION. For those that aren't informed when it comes to nutrition (I'm a rookie), I worry that they will be like, 'hey it's OK, I can lather my toast with butter, because it's healthy' - what about the extra calories your adding into your diet?

I will, and do have butter - sparingly.

That's my two pennies worth anyway

Lupercalia

There is absolutely nothing wrong with healthy saturated fats, and butter is great. Saturated fats are much healthier for you than the polyunsaturated oils and such. I eat (real) butter every day, coconut oil as well and don't worry about doing so "sparingly" as I don't think the good saturated fats are at all unhealthy.

But yes, one needs to be mindful of the calories and fat content if you worry about those things, just as you do with any other oil you cook with.

There is this study in which researchers attempted to replace saturated fats with polyunsaturated fats in the diets of men with recent coronary events: http://www.bmj.com/content/346/bmj.e8707

The conclusion? "Advice to substitute polyunsaturated fats for saturated fats is a key component of worldwide dietary guidelines for coronary heart disease risk reduction. However, clinical benefits of the most abundant polyunsaturated fatty acid, omega 6 linoleic acid, have not been established. In this cohort, substituting dietary linoleic acid in place of saturated fats increased the rates of death from all causes, coronary heart disease, and cardiovascular disease. An updated meta-analysis of linoleic acid intervention trials showed no evidence of cardiovascular benefit. These findings could have important implications for worldwide dietary advice to substitute omega 6 linoleic acid, or polyunsaturated fats in general, for saturated fats."

melaniecheeks

I love butter. I'll have it a couple fo times a week. Can't stand the taste of any of the artificial spreads.

ClareKaczmarek

I recently watched a program that was shown on Channel 5 in the UK called something like '50 Shocking Diet and Fitness Truths' and it highlighted just how bad margarine is for you.

I used to follow the Weight Watchers plan and would always substitute margarine for butter, skimmed milk for whole milk, etc. just to save on calories, so I was shocked to hear what margarine is actually made of. Apparently it is only one molecule away from being plastic?! Perhaps explains why humans are the only species on earth that will actually touch the stuff. If you left a tub of margarine outside, not even a fly would go near it! Makes you think...

kaylemartin

I recently watched a program that was shown on Channel 5 in the UK called something like '50 Shocking Diet and Fitness Truths' and it highlighted just how bad margarine is for you.

I used to follow the Weight Watchers plan and would always substitute margarine for butter, skimmed milk for whole milk, etc. just to save on calories, so I was shocked to hear what margarine is actually made of. Apparently it is only one molecule away from being plastic?! Perhaps explains why humans are the only species on earth that will actually touch the stuff. If you left a tub of margarine outside, not even a fly would go near it! Makes you think...

I saw this too - very shocking! Did you see the 'hot yoga' segment. Yuk!

ClareKaczmarek

I know, it's horrible!

It was a really enlightening programme, was shocked about what they said about the ingredients in skimmed milk too. I've stopped using it!

kaylemartin

I know, it's horrible!

It was a really enlightening programme, was shocked about what they said about the ingredients in skimmed milk too. I've stopped using it!

I don't think I saw that one - does that include semi skim, or is that OK?

dovetail22uk

Obviously if it's in the DM then it must be true - it's like a scientific journal o_O

But not denying that butter is better for you than margarine (although in the UK there is nothing which is actually called margarine anymore).

ClareKaczmarek

I know, it's horrible!

It was a really enlightening programme, was shocked about what they said about the ingredients in skimmed milk too. I've stopped using it!

I don't think I saw that one - does that include semi skim, or is that OK?

I think semi-skimmed is a lot better for you, especially if you are watching your weight. This article about skimmed milk is pretty good, really opens your eyes!

http://butterbeliever.com/fat-free-dairy-skim-milk-secrets/

benol1

From time to time you see these articles which are the product of the PR depts of diary companies.
If margarine is really as bad as claimed then it would be recalled and banned.
Both products are unhealthy if consumed in excess. The issue is that one doesn't need to eat too much of either for it to be unhealthy. Its a mistake to think that giving up margarine for butter is a healthy option. The only healthy option is eliminate or drastically reduce either from one's diet.
kind regards,

Ben

sijomial

I know, it's horrible!

It was a really enlightening programme, was shocked about what they said about the ingredients in skimmed milk too. I've stopped using it!

Apart from milk what ingredients are in skimmed milk?
I understood it was simply milk that had the fat skimmed off?

ClareKaczmarek

From time to time you see these articles which are the product of the PR depts of diary companies.
If margarine is really as bad as claimed then it would be recalled and banned.
Both products are unhealthy if consumed in excess. The issue is that one doesn't need to eat too much of either for it to be unhealthy. Its a mistake to think that giving up margarine for butter is a healthy option. The only healthy option is eliminate or drastically reduce either from one's diet.
kind regards,

Ben

I think that's exactly what they tried to do in America, ban it.

"Currently, federal law prohibits the retail sale of margarine in packages larger than one pound, as well as detailed requirements regarding the size and types of labeling of margarine and a color requirement."

I'm not thinking / suggesting that butter is indeed healthy either, I rarely use butter or margarine in my diet, I'm just saying that out of the two, from what I've read, butter is probably the better choice when used in moderation...

ClareKaczmarek

I know, it's horrible!

It was a really enlightening programme, was shocked about what they said about the ingredients in skimmed milk too. I've stopped using it!

Apart from milk what ingredients are in skimmed milk?
I understood it was simply milk that had the fat skimmed off?

Before processing, skimmed milk is blue-ish in colour and is subsequently whitened. Apparently with the same thing used to make make paint white if the Channel 5 programme is to be believed...

I'm no expert / dairy farmer, I'm just giving my opinion of it, based on what I've seen and read.

SwimFan1981

Personally I don't consume dairy but I'd definitely say that butter is the best choice.

EdwarddeVere

Too much oxygen can kill you... Let's ban that.

EdwarddeVere

Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
Which spread is better for my heart — butter or margarine?

Answer
from Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D.

Margarine usually tops butter when it comes to heart health.

Margarine is made from vegetable oils, so it contains no cholesterol. Margarine is also higher in "good" fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated — than butter is. These types of fats help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol when substituted for saturated fat.

Butter, on the other hand, is made from animal fat, so it contains cholesterol and high levels of saturated fat.

But not all margarines are created equal. Some margarines contain trans fat. In general, the more solid the margarine, the more trans fat it contains. So stick margarines usually have more trans fat than tub margarines do. Trans fat, like saturated fat, increases blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. In addition, trans fat lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels. So skip the stick and opt for soft or liquid margarine instead.

Look for a spread with the lowest calories that tastes good to you, doesn't have trans fats and has the least amount of saturated fat. When comparing spreads, be sure to read the Nutrition Facts panel and check the grams of saturated fat and trans fat. Also, look for products with a low percent Daily Value for cholesterol.

If you have high cholesterol, check with your doctor about using spreads that are fortified with plant stanols and sterols, such as Benecol and Promise Activ, which may help reduce cholesterol levels.

bathsheba_c

I recently watched a program that was shown on Channel 5 in the UK called something like '50 Shocking Diet and Fitness Truths' and it highlighted just how bad margarine is for you.

I used to follow the Weight Watchers plan and would always substitute margarine for butter, skimmed milk for whole milk, etc. just to save on calories, so I was shocked to hear what margarine is actually made of. Apparently it is only one molecule away from being plastic?! Perhaps explains why humans are the only species on earth that will actually touch the stuff. If you left a tub of margarine outside, not even a fly would go near it! Makes you think...

I saw this too - very shocking! Did you see the 'hot yoga' segment. Yuk!

Um, every single chemical on the planet is one molecule away from being every other single chemical on the planet. Did you know that water is only one molecule away from being hydrochloric acid? That sugar is only one molecule away from being bleach?

EdwarddeVere

I know, it's horrible!

It was a really enlightening programme, was shocked about what they said about the ingredients in skimmed milk too. I've stopped using it!

Apart from milk what ingredients are in skimmed milk?
I understood it was simply milk that had the fat skimmed off?

Before processing, skimmed milk is blue-ish in colour and is subsequently whitened. Apparently with the same thing used to make make paint white if the Channel 5 programme is to be believed...

I'm no expert / dairy farmer, I'm just giving my opinion of it, based on what I've seen and read.

Luke Skywalker loved his blue milk... And he became a Jedi.

ClareKaczmarek

Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
Which spread is better for my heart — butter or margarine?

Answer
from Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D.

Margarine usually tops butter when it comes to heart health.

Margarine is made from vegetable oils, so it contains no cholesterol. Margarine is also higher in "good" fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated — than butter is. These types of fats help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol when substituted for saturated fat.

Butter, on the other hand, is made from animal fat, so it contains cholesterol and high levels of saturated fat.

But not all margarines are created equal. Some margarines contain trans fat. In general, the more solid the margarine, the more trans fat it contains. So stick margarines usually have more trans fat than tub margarines do. Trans fat, like saturated fat, increases blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. In addition, trans fat lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels. So skip the stick and opt for soft or liquid margarine instead.

Look for a spread with the lowest calories that tastes good to you, doesn't have trans fats and has the least amount of saturated fat. When comparing spreads, be sure to read the Nutrition Facts panel and check the grams of saturated fat and trans fat. Also, look for products with a low percent Daily Value for cholesterol.

If you have high cholesterol, check with your doctor about using spreads that are fortified with plant stanols and sterols, such as Benecol and Promise Activ, which may help reduce cholesterol levels.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/butter-margarine.htm

Anyone can Google butter vs. margarine and come up with a million different opinions. As I said, I am no expert and am just sharing my opinion, which I understood is what these forums are about.

Not everyone has the same opinions and I respect that, it's no skin off my nose if you prefer margarine over butter, so perhaps you should do the same.

Oh, and good for Luke Sywalker. I have no desire to become a Jedi so I think I'll continue to avoid skimmed milk for now.

Anthony110101111110001101

There used to be a TV commercial in Australia when I was a child. I wish back then I listened to its simple catch phrase rather than all the media hype and pseudo science and I might have been a different person.

"Butter is better than margarine."

How true those words are on so many levels.

EdwarddeVere

I know, it's horrible!

It was a really enlightening programme, was shocked about what they said about the ingredients in skimmed milk too. I've stopped using it!

Apart from milk what ingredients are in skimmed milk?
I understood it was simply milk that had the fat skimmed off?

Before processing, skimmed milk is blue-ish in colour and is subsequently whitened. Apparently with the same thing used to make make paint white if the Channel 5 programme is to be believed...

I'm no expert / dairy farmer, I'm just giving my opinion of it, based on what I've seen and read.

Yes they use the milk solid calcium carbonate to make skim milk cosmetically more white

EdwarddeVere

Butter vs. margarine: Which is better for my heart?
Which spread is better for my heart — butter or margarine?

Answer
from Jennifer K. Nelson, R.D., L.D.

Margarine usually tops butter when it comes to heart health.

Margarine is made from vegetable oils, so it contains no cholesterol. Margarine is also higher in "good" fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated — than butter is. These types of fats help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol when substituted for saturated fat.

Butter, on the other hand, is made from animal fat, so it contains cholesterol and high levels of saturated fat.

But not all margarines are created equal. Some margarines contain trans fat. In general, the more solid the margarine, the more trans fat it contains. So stick margarines usually have more trans fat than tub margarines do. Trans fat, like saturated fat, increases blood cholesterol levels and the risk of heart disease. In addition, trans fat lowers high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels. So skip the stick and opt for soft or liquid margarine instead.

Look for a spread with the lowest calories that tastes good to you, doesn't have trans fats and has the least amount of saturated fat. When comparing spreads, be sure to read the Nutrition Facts panel and check the grams of saturated fat and trans fat. Also, look for products with a low percent Daily Value for cholesterol.

If you have high cholesterol, check with your doctor about using spreads that are fortified with plant stanols and sterols, such as Benecol and Promise Activ, which may help reduce cholesterol levels.

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/butter-margarine.htm

Anyone can Google butter vs. margarine and come up with a million different opinions. As I said, I am no expert and am just sharing my opinion, which I understood is what these forums are about.

Not everyone has the same opinions and I respect that, it's no skin off my nose if you prefer margarine over butter, so perhaps you should do the same.

Oh, and good for Luke Sywalker. I have no desire to become a Jedi so I think I'll continue to avoid skimmed milk for now.

I was just quoting a licensed dietitian to shed light on speculation.

kaylemartin

I know, it's horrible!

It was a really enlightening programme, was shocked about what they said about the ingredients in skimmed milk too. I've stopped using it!

Apart from milk what ingredients are in skimmed milk?
I understood it was simply milk that had the fat skimmed off?

Before processing, skimmed milk is blue-ish in colour and is subsequently whitened. Apparently with the same thing used to make make paint white if the Channel 5 programme is to be believed...

I'm no expert / dairy farmer, I'm just giving my opinion of it, based on what I've seen and read.

Luke Skywalker loved his blue milk... And he became a Jedi.

LOL

archie1964

Um, every single chemical on the planet is one molecule away from being every other single chemical on the planet. Did you know that water is only one molecule away from being hydrochloric acid? That sugar is only one molecule away from being bleach?

Our DNA makeup is only one gene away from us being Dolphins...