Difference between Butter and Margarine: Which is Healthier?

Medical Video: Should I Buy Butter or Margarine? - Heart Smart® Grocery Store Tour

Butter and margarine are often misinterpreted as the same product, only the names are different. In fact, both are quite different products. Ranging from basic ingredients to usability, butter and margarine have their respective properties. In order for you not to be mistaken and ultimately detrimental to your and your family's health, look carefully at the complete information about the following butter and margarine.

Butter

Butter is also known by the name butter. The main ingredient for making butter is cream or cow's, goat's or sheep's milk. In Indonesia, what you usually find in markets or supermarkets is butter from cow's milk. The milk has been pasteurized or heated to kill bacteria and pathogens. Thus, the products produced are safer and not stale. After that, the milk will be stirred in such a way that the solid part of the fat is separated from the liquid. Butter is usually sold in the form of bars or in more liquid forms which are packaged in plastic containers.

You can feel for yourself that the texture of the butter is soft and melts easily if it's not stored in the refrigerator. Because of its light density, butter is usually used as an ingredient in making cookies or as a spread of bread. If you use butter as a cake mixture, the texture of the cake you make will also become softer. The taste of butter itself is better than margarine, similar to savory cow's milk.

Margarine

If butter is made from cow's or goat's milk, margarine is made from vegetable oil (vegetable fat) mixed with emulsifiers and other ingredients so that the texture is denser than butter. If left outside the refrigerator, margarine tends to be more durable and does not melt quickly.

Usually margarine is used to make wet cakes and cake so you can tie the dough better. Because it is made of oil, this product is also often used for frying or sautéing. In addition to its stronger taste, margarine will not leave oil attached to food when compared to ordinary cooking oil. Food fried in margarine will also feel crisper.

Which is healthier?

After knowing the difference between butter and margarine, now your job is to consider which one is the best. Choosing which products are healthier, between butter and margarine, is no easy business. Each brand has different ingredients and additives so you still have to pay close attention to nutritional information and the composition listed on the packaging.

But when viewed from the basic ingredients, margarine tends to be safer for your health and your family. Unlike butter made from cow's milk, margarine does not contain animal fat. So, cholesterol and fat contained in margarine are not as high as butter.

80% of the butter itself consists of animal fat, namely saturated fat and trans fat. Both types of fat can increase cholesterol levels in the blood and risk causing various heart diseases. In addition, trans fat will also reduce the level of good cholesterol (HDL) so that your cholesterol levels become unstable and balanced. A tablespoon of butter meets 35% of your daily saturated fat needs. So, you should pay attention to the amount of butter you consume in one day, especially if you have a heart problem or are trying to lose weight.

Compared to butter, margarine made from vegetable oil is actually rich in unsaturated fats that are good for health. Unsaturated fat serves to reduce the amount of bad cholesterol (LDL). The fat contained in margarine is also rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids which are good for maintaining brain function and reducing risk factors for various diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, asthma, and kidneys. However, it should be noted that some margarine products contain trans fats that are bad for your cholesterol levels.

Tips for choosing the best butter and margarine

Because each brand offers different content, you must be careful in choosing the healthiest product. The denser the butter and margarine you buy, the higher the fat content. So, as much as possible choose butter and margarine packaged in plastic containers, not in the form of bars.

Notice if there is writing "whipped"On butter packaging. That means the butter has been shaken so the texture is lighter and foamy. The shaken butter contains more air and less fat up to 50%. However, this type of butter can sometimes not be used as a particular cake dough ingredient.

When you want to buy margarine, look for a product that says "trans fat free". Even though it still contains unsaturated fats and cholesterol, at least fewer levels. In the end, choosing the best butter and margarine needs to be adjusted to your own needs. If you have heart disease or a similar disorder, consult with your doctor which is the best choice that is safe and healthy for you.

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