Is Plant-Based Butter Healthy? Nutrition and How It Compares (2024)

  • Nutritional Value
    • What is the nutritional value of plant-based butter vs. regular butter?
  • Which Is Healthier
    • Which is healthier, plant-based butter or regular butter?
  • How Is It Made
    • How is plant-based butter made?
  • How to Make at Home
    • How to make plant-based butter at home
  • Bottom Line
    • The bottom line
  • Comments
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Is Plant-Based Butter Healthy? Nutrition and How It Compares (1)

Learn about the nutritional content of plant-based butter and how it compares to regular butter

Plant-based diets have grown in popularity due to their many health benefits.

Plant-based butter, also called vegan butter, has become a popular butter substitute that is not made from dairy but instead from plant oils. Additional ingredients may include emulsifiers or artificial flavors to make the product more similar to regular butter.

Learn about the nutritional content of plant-based butter and how it compares to regular butter.

What is the nutritional value of plant-based butter vs. regular butter?

Plant-based butter is often high in protein, fiber, essential fatty acids, and vitamin K (a potent antioxidant).

Ingredients in unsalted European style cultured vegan butter include:

  • Organic coconut oil
  • Organic cultured cashew milk (filtered water, organic cashews, and cultures)
  • Filtered water
  • Organic sunflower oil, which contains 2% or less of organic sunflower lecithin
  • Organic cultured dextrose
  • Natural flavors derived from oregano, flaxseed, and plums
  • Lactic acid
Table. Nutrients in 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of unsalted European style cultured vegan butter vs. 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of unsalted butter (DV = Daily Value)
NutrientAmount in 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of unsalted European style cultured vegan butterAmount in 1 tablespoon (14 grams) of unsalted butter
Calories90100
Total fat10 grams, 13% of the DV11 grams, 17% of the DV
Fatty acids, total saturated8 grams, 40% of the DV7 grams, 35% of the DV
Cholesterol0 mg30 mg,10% of the DV
Sodium9.94 mg

Which is healthier, plant-based butter or regular butter?

Plant-based butter is high in monounsaturated fats because they are prepared with plant-based oils instead of dairy. According to the American Heart Association, these fats are considered healthy fats that can help lower bad cholesterol and provide the body with essential minerals and antioxidants.

Normal butter typically has about 35% of saturated fat, whereas plant-based butter contains just 15%. However, the FDA warns that any type of fat in excess can increase the risk of heart disease. Therefore, it is best to limit your saturated fat consumption to no more than 10% of your overall daily calorie intake.

Plant-based butter should also be consumed in moderation due to the following reasons:

  • Higher levels of omega-6 fatty acids, which may be associated with increased levels of cellular inflammation
  • Highly processed and may contain artificial additives
  • May be made with trans fats and hydrogenated oils, which are harmful to heart health.

How is plant-based butter made?

Plant-based butter is usually made from a blend of plant oils such as palm, coconut, avocado, olive, and macadamia oil.

Vegetable oils are typically liquid at room temperature. To transform them into a solid smooth butter that can be used as a spread, vegetable oils undergo a rigorous process, during which the boiling point of the oil is raised to solidify the saturated fats.

Various nuts and seeds, such as peanuts, soybeans, pistachios, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and sesame seeds, are also used to make plant-based butter. The nuts or seeds are roasted, ground, and combined with sugar, salt, stabilizers, and emulsifiers to make a spread. The degree of grinding and the method used to grind affect the texture of the butter.

QUESTION According to the USDA, there is no difference between a “portion” and a “serving.” See Answer

How to make plant-based butter at home

Plant-based butter can also be made at home.

Add coconut and sunflower oil, plant milk, lecithin powder, and salt to a blender and process for 60 seconds. Make sure not to overdo it, since blending for too long can cause the oils to separate.

Pour the mixture into a jar and refrigerate. Because these oils are high in fat, they harden in the fridge. When your blended butter firms up, you can use it as a spread.

The bottom line

Plant-based butter can be a good butter alternative for people who want to limit their dairy consumption or lower their cholesterol. If heart health is a concern, read the nutrition labels carefully to make sure that your plant-based butter contains less saturated fat than regular butter.

However, if you consume a reasonably balanced diet low in saturated fat and your cholesterol levels are within normal limits, eating regular butter in small amounts should not pose a significant health risk.

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Medically Reviewed on 8/2/2022

References

Image Source: iStock image

Plant based butters. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4486598/

Unsalted European Style Cultured Vegan Butter. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/806121/nutrients

Unsalted Butter. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/369423/nutrients

Is Plant-Based Butter Healthy? Nutrition and How It Compares (2024)

FAQs

Is Plant-Based Butter Healthy? Nutrition and How It Compares? ›

So you're probably thinking, “Is plant-based butter healthy?” Here's the deal… In this study, plant-based butter contains higher heart-healthy monounsaturated fats compared to regular butter made from dairy. Plant-based butter is also lower in lower in saturated fats.

Is plant-based butter healthier than real butter? ›

So you're probably thinking, “Is plant-based butter healthy?” Here's the deal… In this study, plant-based butter contains higher heart-healthy monounsaturated fats compared to regular butter made from dairy. Plant-based butter is also lower in lower in saturated fats.

What's the healthiest butter alternative? ›

"However, we need to step back and decide if there's something even better." Nut and seed butters, such as almond or sunflower, are naturally rich in heart-healthy fats and also contain fiber and protein, which are not found in butter substitutes. You can also try mashed avocado, hummus, or extra virgin olive oil.

Is plant-based butter a processed food? ›

We tend to think of all vegan products as healthy, but vegan products can actually be highly processed and full of artificial ingredients. Vegan butter is one of these products, often including high amounts of salt, preservatives, and artificial flavoring.

Is country crock plant butter healthy? ›

Our Ingredients & Nutritional Information. Is Country Crock® better for me than dairy butter? Country Crock® products are all made of plant-based oils – a source of good fats. Because Country Crock® is made with plant-based oils, the product is an easy way to add essential fats and omega-3s to a healthy diet.

Is plant-based butter bad for high cholesterol? ›

Plant-based butter is high in monounsaturated fats because they are prepared with plant-based oils instead of dairy. According to the American Heart Association, these fats are considered healthy fats that can help lower bad cholesterol and provide the body with essential minerals and antioxidants.

What is the best butter to lower cholesterol? ›

Nutritionally, grass-fed butter contains less saturated fats, more PUFAs, and more of the heart-healthy omega-3 and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) fatty acids than regular butter.

What is the healthiest butter in the world? ›

Butter can absolutely fit into a healthy diet, says registered dietitian Abbey Sharp, and grass-fed butter is the healthiest butter money can buy.

What is the best butter substitute for high blood pressure? ›

Avocado Oil Provides a Neutral Flavor Profile

If you want to use an oil that has a more neutral taste than olive oil but also delivers health benefits, Rasmussen recommends avocado oil, another source of heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. Use avocado oil at a 1:1 ratio to replace all the butter in a recipe.

Is I can't believe it's not butter healthy? ›

None of the ingredients in I Can't Believe It's Not Butter are unhealthy, per se, but the palm oil industry has been found to contribute to deforestation, animal cruelty, and indigenous rights abuses (among other issues) in the countries in which it's produced.

Is plant butter anti-inflammatory? ›

As plant-based butters use ingredients high in omega-6, such as vegetable and plant based oils, consuming too much of this vegan butter can cause inflammation if not balanced with omega-3 foods. To combat this issue, try to consciously eat more foods high in omega-3 fat, such as chia seeds and fish.

Is plant butter basically margarine? ›

The main difference between margarine and plant butter is that while margarine may still contain small amounts of dairy, plant butters are free of any animal products. Although plant butter is typically 100% vegan, it can contain saturated fats due to the use of coconut and palm oils.

What is the plant-based butter lawsuit? ›

Country Crock Plant Butter class action:

Upfield US Inc. has been hit with a class action lawsuit alleging it falsely advertises its Country Crock Plant Butter vegetable oil spread as having more almond oil than it actually does. Plaintiff Joanne Reyes filed the class action lawsuit against Upfield US Inc.

What is the healthiest alternative to butter? ›

9 healthful substitutes for butter
  • Olive oil.
  • Ghee.
  • Greek yogurt.
  • Avocado.
  • Pumpkin purée.
  • Mashed bananas.
  • Coconut oil.
  • Applesauce.
Nov 15, 2018

What brand of butter is real butter? ›

Challenge Butter has been a quality staple in kitchens since 1911. It's churned daily from two natural ingredients: the freshest 100% real pasteurized sweet cream and salt. That's it. Nothing artificial or synthetic.

Can I substitute plant-based butter for regular butter? ›

1. Plant-Based Butter Alternatives. Pros: Can typically be used as a one-to-one ratio swap for butter, has a similar taste and consistency to butter, and can be used for baking and cooking and as a topping. Cons: Some plant-based butter substitutes (not WayFare's!)

Which but butter is healthiest? ›

"Of all the nut butters, walnut butter has the most omega-3 fatty acids," Andrea says. The healthful fat ratio helps lower LDL cholesterol, increase HDL cholesterol, and reduce inflammation.

Is real butter better than Flora? ›

Butter and margarine are very similar when it comes to what they contain. Margarine however, contains healthier fat molecules in comparison to butter, providing more rounded nutritional benefits. Click the link for more healthy living tips and advice.

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