Girl Scouts of the Philippines

The Butter Versus Margarine Debate

This seems to be an area of confusion for many people. Some swear on the butter and other opt for margarine. Who is right? It is time for clarity and confusion to be resolved.

First of all, both are fat. Therefore, the number of calories in 1 teaspoon butter is equal to the number of calories in 1 teaspoon margarine. The difference is the nature of the fat they contain.

Consists of butter saturated fatty acids. Saturated fats are found primarily in animal sources. Sources of the content of saturated fatty acids are meat, milk, cheese, ice, reducing, lard, coconut oil and palm. More saturated fatty acids a product, the more likely it is solid at room temperature. For example, a stick of butter has more saturated fatty acids like butter casserole. Saturated fats lead to high cholesterol.

Consists of margarine, vegetable oils partially tempered. Are unsaturated vegetable oils. Unsaturated fatty acids are best for our health as saturated. The key words to note that “partially hydrogenated.” For solid oils, which adds hydrogen to a trans fatty acid side effects. These trans fatty acids have a bad rap margarine, because they are just as bad for our cholesterol as saturated fatty acids. So what should be the solution? Read the labels, if you buy. Starting from January 2006, all food must be packed the contents of the list of trans fatty acids on the fact that, food Panel. Therefore, be sure to margarine food label to ensure that trans fat zero. Some products also have a label that indicates that “no trans fat” or “trans fat free”.

No matter, for which you choose margarine or butter that you need for the amount you are in foodstuffs. A tablespoon of butter or margarine equals about 100 calories.

Bottom Line: margarine, butter better choices about your health. Select margarine, trans fat zero. Even better, for a “light” margarine “no trans fatty acids.”