The question: "I know neither is the ideal healthy choice, but if I'm really craving butter or margarine, is one better for my health than the other?"
The expert: Lisa Moscovitz, R.D., CEO and founding dietitian of the NY Nutrition Group
The answer: When it comes to butter versus margarine, it's not a question of which is healthier but which is less bad for you. In this case, the lesser of the two evils is butter.
Here's what you need to know: Butter and margarine contain nearly the same exact calories and total grams of fat—about 100 calories per tablespoon and 11-12 grams of fat. The main difference between the two is the types of fat found in each. One difference is that margarine contains a higher amount of anti-inflammatory healthy mono and polyunsaturated fats, while butter is mostly full of saturated fat. Saturated fat has been linked to negative heart health and cholesterol, though Moscovitz says that the debate is out on whether the effect is as large as previously thought.
MORE: Why Butter Isn't As Bad for You As You Probably Think It Is
But even with its high saturated fat content, butter still beats out margarine. Why? Because many brands of margarine contain an even more dangerous fat: trans fat. "This type of fat is supposed to be the most unhealthy and has the most negative consequences for heart health," says Moscovitz. "[It] has been linked to much more severe and significant health issues than just saturated fat alone."
Bottom line: Neither is ideal. Moscovitz suggests you seek out a healthier substitute to spread on your toast, like Greek yogurt or avocado. But if you really have to choose between the two? Skip the trans fat and go with butter.
MORE: 5 Foods with More Saturated Fat Than a Pat of Butter
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