Butter is one of the staples in many households. People love to use it for cooking, baking, and as a spread for toast and bagels. However, traditional butter is high in saturated fat and cholesterol, which can lead to health issues such as heart disease and high cholesterol levels.
As a result, many people are turning to vegan butter substitutes made from plant-based ingredients to enjoy the same rich and creamy taste of butter without the negative health effects. In this article, I will explain the connection between vegan butter and cholesterol, examining how it can be healthier for those looking to reduce their cholesterol intake.
Does Vegan Butter Have Cholesterol?
No, vegan butter doesn’t have cholesterol. Cholesterol is a compound that is synthesized by animal cells only. Plants don’t have cholesterol in their cells, so all vegetables and fruits are cholesterol free.
Vegan butter has some saturated fatty acids, which are not as bad as cholesterol.
For reference, look at this nutrient record of vegan butter, which clearly shows no cholesterol in vegan butter.
What is Vegan Butter Made From?
Vegan butter is manufactured from plant-based oils and water, yet it is remarkably similar to butter derived from animal milk in terms of flavor, taste, and texture. Regular butter is typically made from cow, sheep, or goat milk.
Is There Oil in Vegan Butter?
Yes, oil is present in vegan better because it is the main ingredient. But some oil-free substitutes for vegan butter are available in the market. I say substitutes because they are similar to vegan butter, but technically you can’t say it’s pure vegan butter.
Does Vegan Butter Have Soy in It?
In some cases, soy is present in vegan butter, but certain brands make soy-free vegan butter. Before buying, read the ingredients label and check whether soy is present.
Does vegan butter have palm oil?
Yes, palm oil is mostly present in vegan butter. However, many brands make palm oil-free vegan butter for those of you who don’t like palm oil. While buying your vegan butter, check the ingredients label.
Regarding veganism, I need to mention palm oil’s dark side. While technically, it is a plant-based, ethically, and environmentally-based product; there are some concerns regarding palm oil production. However, on the bright side, there are some brands that use responsibly-sourced palm oil.
Is there vegan butter without oil?
Yes, there are many brands in the market nowadays which are making oil-free vegan butter. But oil is the primary ingredient of vegan butter. So if you remove it, the butter will not taste the same.
Still, you can choose to get oil-free butter from many brands, including Miyoko’s, Kite Hill or Milkdamia.
Does vegan butter have less fat?
Yes, vegan butter has less fat than regular butter. Regular butter has 35 percent saturated fat, while vegan butter contains 15 percent saturated fat. Saturated fatty acids are bad for your heart’s health. That’s why vegan butter is sometimes recommended to heart patients and older people.
Does vegan butter make you fat?
Both vegan butter and regular butter are rich in calories and fats. Therefore, you can gain weight if you eat vegan butter in excess quantities. Of course, being rich in fats, you would not be able to eat it in excess amounts, but if you do, you will definitely gain weight.
Is vegan butter inflammatory?
It is said that vegan butter causes inflammation because it is rich in omega-6 fatty acids. But it is not proved by studies. According to Pubmed published research, it is found that the intake of omega-6 fatty acids in high amounts does not cause inflammation. On the contrary, a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids is thought to decrease inflammation.
Is vegan butter keto-friendly?
There is a debate on whether vegan butter is keto-friendly or not. I would say that it is keto-friendly because it has low-carb and high-fat content – simple as that. Also, being heavy, you can’t overeat it. So, you can add vegan butter to your keto routine to fulfill the requirement of fats.
If you see some amount of carbohydrates on the label of your vegan butter, then it will be due to some added sugar or sweetener by the company, and if you are on a keto diet, you should stay away from such a product.
But keep an important point in your mind, the calories it contains are equal the calories of real butter. Therefore, if you start an excessive intake of vegan butter, it will result in weight gain, so if you are using vegan butter while on a keto diet, it is recommended to take it in moderate quantities.
Is vegan butter healthier than real butter?
Both types of butter have almost the same amount of calories. The only significant difference between them is cholesterol.
Some nutrients are present in regular butter but not in vegan butter. These include Vitamin A, D, E, and Calcium. So, these nutrients are artificially added to vegan butter for compensation.
The primary benefit you will get from vegan butter is improved heart health. In addition, it is cholesterol free, so consuming it won’t harm your overall heart health.
What are the differences between vegan butter and regular butter?
Regular butter can easily be substituted for vegan butter. Still, there are some differences between them.
Like margarine, vegan butter is made from oils instead. Unlike dairy butter. Vegan butter is based on plant oil, various kinds of nuts, or soy and has added flavorings to give it that rich and creamy taste. Dairy butter has only cream from a cow and usually a little salt.
When it comes to nutritional differences, they are the following:
Dairy Butter | Vegan Butter | |
---|---|---|
Calories | 102 kcal | 100 kcal |
Cholesterol | 30.5 mg | 0 mg |
Total fat | 11.5 g | 11 g |
Saturated fat | 7 g | 3.5 g |
Trans fat | Less than 500 mg | 0 mg |
Monounsaturated fat | 3 g | 5 g |
Polyunsaturated fat | Less than 500 g | 2.5 g |
Sodium | 2 mg | 120 mg |
Vegan butter and margarine include more monounsaturated fat because they are prepared with plant-based oils rather than dairy. This “healthy” fat, according to the American Heart Association, gives your body the essential minerals and antioxidants it needs to decrease cholesterol. In addition, because vegan butter is dairy-free, it often has lower levels of saturated fat.
Calories and total fat content are the same in vegan and regular butter.
Conclusion
Vegan butter and regular butter both have their pros and cons. It is up to you and your lifestyle to decide which butter you prefer to consume.
If you are not a big fan of fats or oil, then oil-free and low-fat vegan butter substitutes are also available in the market, which you can get by checking out their label.