At HYP, we do not shy away from speaking on and covering controversial topics, and one such discussion surrounds low-calorie/fat butter that promises to be a healthier alternative to regular butter. These so-called butter packs have been selling like hotcakes and are touted by many as a healthier alternative to good old-fashioned regular butter. But is it any healthier? And should you be making the switch? Or is good old regular salted butter that's derived from milk still the best option?
In today's blog, we'll take a look at the ingredients and will help you understand what's best for you.
Imitation butter Ingredients:
Edible Vegetable oil is a concoction of Palm oil, sunflower oil, sesame and lintseed oil, salt, milk powder, Emulsifiers - E471, E322, Preservatives E202, E200, Acidity regulator, starch Sequestering Agents just to name a few.
Observations:
The vegetable oil used here is highly processed, refined, and heated, thus releasing trans fats that make it anti-inflammatory, bad for your heart health, and even carcinogenic. Moreover, it's loaded with emulsifiers, preservatives, artificial colours, and flavours, that look like they've come straight out of a chemistry laboratory. So how exactly could this be a healthier alternative? The short answer is that it isn't. Quite the contrary, as the vegetable oil used here is hydrogenated, and if you want to know more about good vs bad fats, we've covered the topic before. You can click here to know more about fats, and click here to know everything you need to know about oils.
Regular butter ingredients: Nothing much to report here. It's just butter and common salt. That's all.
Observations:
Butter made from milk is far superior to the chemical concoction touted as "healthy butter" as it is a good source of Vitamin A in its natural form and saturated fats. Saturated fats have gained a bad rep for being bad for you, but recent studies have indicated otherwise when consumed in moderation.
The Verdict:
In our previous blog on oils and fats, we spoke at great lengths about why you should avoid certain sources of fats, and we listed refined vegetable oils and hydrogenated oils at the top of our unhealthiest sources of fats. Sadly, the healthier alternative to butter is anything but healthy and you are far better off consuming good old-fashioned butter instead. Just remember, the key is moderation. No one food can make you fat and unhealthy.
We hope that through this blog, you will be able to make a better and more informed choice the next time you go out grocery shopping. Keep following our page for more interesting facts.
Questions?