A debate that is not new. When it comes to margarine, we are ahead in a number of respects, particularly in terms of saturated fat content. On the other hand, the list of ingredients is getting longer and longer, since palm and modified palm kernel oils in particular are included. Who wins?
• Also read: Inflation in the supermarket: margarine will soon be more expensive than butter
While the difference in saturated fats is significant, the current scientific literature questions the actual impact of certain saturated fats on cardiovascular health. If this debate is not closed, these fats appear to be less harmful than first thought.
In addition, we attach more importance than ever to the list of ingredients. According to the food processing grade classification (NOVA), margarine becomes a highly processed food, a category that we want to reduce as much as possible in our diet.
other options
The use of butter or margarine can be significantly reduced by using more vegetable oils, which offer more health benefits. Olive, camelina, and canola oils are good options that promote healthy fats. Flavorless oils such as rapeseed oil can very well replace butter or margarine in dessert recipes. As for the spread on your morning toast, nut butter far outstrips butter or margarine. Economical and nutritious, peanut butter is loved by everyone. As the possibilities are numerous, butter and margarine may eventually become second-hand foods!
Sample ingredient list for the popular heart-healthy margarine:
Ingredients: Rapeseed oil 74%, water, modified palm and palm kernel oils 6%, salt, buttermilk powder 0.2% (milk), natural flavors, lactic acid, vitamin A palmitate (vitamin A), vitamin D3, beta-carotene, soy Lecithin, Calcium Disodium EDTA.
List of ingredients for the butter:
cream, salt
In terms of nutritional value, the two products are very similar except for saturated fat content.
Salted, uncured margarine (10 g or 2 tsp)
70 calories
8g (1g saturated fat)
70 mg sodium
10% vitamin A
Salted butter (10 g or 2 tsp)
70 calories
8 g fat (5 g saturated fat)
75 mg sodium
10% vitamin A
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