Butter vs. Margarine: Which Is Better?

The dairy aisle has gotten a lot more complicated lately. Once upon a time, there was just butter; but over the last several decades, a variety of spreads have proliferated, and some are healthier for you than others. But what exactly are all these foods, and which is the best for your health?

Butter Breakdown

First up, the old standby: creamy, dairy butter. It’s made from cow’s milk, which is churned until it turns into the thick, yellowish substance that magically melts on a hot slice of toast.

“Butter comes from animal fat, which contains saturated fat,” says Angela Blackstone, a registered dietitian at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus. “Saturated fat can increase your LDL – the bad – cholesterol and increase your risk of heart disease. The American Heart Association recommends that 6% or less of your total calories come from saturated fats.”

According to the Department of Agriculture, a tablespoon of butter contains:

• Calories: 100.

• Fat: 11.4 grams.

• Saturated fat: 7.19 grams.

• Cholesterol: 30.1 milligrams.

• Carbohydrates: 0 grams.