k12269
07-16-2003, 01:55 PM
Just wondering if anyone knows of something healthy to use instead of marg. that tastes descent? I know it's bad, but what to use instead?
Thanks in advance
karen
Thanks in advance
karen
Sponsor
Absinthe
07-16-2003, 03:16 PM
Depends on what you are using it for.
If you just want something to spread on bread, how about peanut butter? It's tasty and full of good fats.
For cooking, use olive oil, peanut oil, or something similar.
If you are simply concerned about trans fats, you can find several margarine-type spreads that don't contain them. I think some of the soy-based spreads fall into this category.
There is also plain old butter. Yeah, it has sat fat, but at least it is a natural product.
If you just want something to spread on bread, how about peanut butter? It's tasty and full of good fats.
For cooking, use olive oil, peanut oil, or something similar.
If you are simply concerned about trans fats, you can find several margarine-type spreads that don't contain them. I think some of the soy-based spreads fall into this category.
There is also plain old butter. Yeah, it has sat fat, but at least it is a natural product.
Magpiezoe
07-16-2003, 05:01 PM
Hello, It really depends on what you mean as far as healthy goes...less fat, less preservatives, etc. I look for total fat content. Sure it's a good idea to use mono sat fat/"good fat" instead of sat. fat or trans. fat, but you shouldn't over do the good fats either. I read a news article that said that one of the reasons trans fats are no good is because they do the same damage as sat. fats. PB is a good idea, but you might want to read the label for trans fats, sugar, sodium, and sat. fats, which some companies add to the PB. (Natural PB is the way to go, but don't forget it's like eating concentrated peanuts...You may be getting 2 servings of peanuts instead of 1 serving, but you have nothing to worry about if you don't have any health problems.) The best thing to do is read the label, because butter, butter spreads, margarines, jelly, and anything else you spread on bread can have "evil" stuff hidden inside. Some companies will be removing the trans fats from their spreads or already contain no trans fats. "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter" has trans fats, but the company said it will be removing them very soon. "Brommel N' Brown" never had any trans fats, because it is made from yogurt. There are also vegetable sprays that are nothing more than 100% olive oil, but again you have to read the label. Unsweetened apple sauce can be substituted for butter or shortening in recipes.
------------------
Magpie
------------------
Magpie
girlygirly
07-16-2003, 06:28 PM
How about organic butter? It isn't the bad guy it is made out to be. Just don't go crazy with it.
sean
07-16-2003, 06:45 PM
I vote for butter--it's very healthful as long as used in moderation. Only people trying to avoid all fats entirely should have problems with it. And, if you're able to eat margarine, olive oil (very very helathful, that), and or peanut butter (also a great food if you choose the organic or non-trans/hydrogenated brands), then you must not be on a super-low-fat diet.
Butter contains mono-unsaturates, vit a, lots of goodies. Tastes fabulous. I am certain that the public was stampeded into using much less healthy things like hydrogenated margarines when we were scared off butter.
Just my opinion, of course.
sean
Butter contains mono-unsaturates, vit a, lots of goodies. Tastes fabulous. I am certain that the public was stampeded into using much less healthy things like hydrogenated margarines when we were scared off butter.
Just my opinion, of course.
sean
Wykon
07-16-2003, 06:53 PM
Smart Balance is a good alternative. Has no transfats. Margarine in one of the worst things you can ingest.
CocaCola
07-16-2003, 07:44 PM
Well I have to say that I am glad that I popped into this thread. Last year I stopped using margarine on my breads and in my cooking (I found out I have high cholesterol). If I 'need' something to cook with I use olive oil.
I always thought that margarine was better than butter. Am I correct in saying that margarine has less fat but more of the bad fats, whereas butter has more fat, but it's mostly good fats? So for someone who has high chloresterol it would actually be better for them to use butter (not that I am going to start using butter, I'm just curious so that I can tell my brother as he piles on the margarine on EVERYTHING!).
I used to use butter on pretty much everything. Now I don't even miss it. I think it's pretty easy to leave out the butter if you can.
I always thought that margarine was better than butter. Am I correct in saying that margarine has less fat but more of the bad fats, whereas butter has more fat, but it's mostly good fats? So for someone who has high chloresterol it would actually be better for them to use butter (not that I am going to start using butter, I'm just curious so that I can tell my brother as he piles on the margarine on EVERYTHING!).
I used to use butter on pretty much everything. Now I don't even miss it. I think it's pretty easy to leave out the butter if you can.
girlygirly
07-16-2003, 09:10 PM
Coca cola,
You are right on the money. Butter also has enzymes that you can't get from substitutes. It is the trans-fats that are the real killers. Think of margarine as plastic.
I used to use Smart balance, but I have a bigggggg problem with the soy oil in it as soy oil during processing is done so at very high temperatures, so I don't get the claim of no trans-fats. If someone has an answer to this I'd love to hear it.
[This message has been edited by girlygirly (edited 07-17-2003).]
You are right on the money. Butter also has enzymes that you can't get from substitutes. It is the trans-fats that are the real killers. Think of margarine as plastic.
I used to use Smart balance, but I have a bigggggg problem with the soy oil in it as soy oil during processing is done so at very high temperatures, so I don't get the claim of no trans-fats. If someone has an answer to this I'd love to hear it.
[This message has been edited by girlygirly (edited 07-17-2003).]
auntjudyg
07-17-2003, 10:28 AM
The REAL thing . . . butter. Organic, if you can get it; and cultured, if you can get it.
originalsusie
07-18-2003, 08:29 PM
Parkay makes a great spray butter that I use on my toast, with oatmeal, on my veggies etc. that has no calories and no fat. It tastes just like butter but is not good to cook with in most cases (altho you can use it on pastas and with mac & cheese.)
If I know I dont want the cold taste of spray I just leave it out on the counter for 30 mins. before I start cookins and its ready for my baked tater!
Its in the butter isle and is pretty cheap. I can't B/L its not butter also makes a spray that tastes good.
Hope this helps (o:
OS*
If I know I dont want the cold taste of spray I just leave it out on the counter for 30 mins. before I start cookins and its ready for my baked tater!
Its in the butter isle and is pretty cheap. I can't B/L its not butter also makes a spray that tastes good.
Hope this helps (o:
OS*
DanaJ
07-20-2003, 03:51 AM
Originally posted by originalsusie:
Parkay makes a great spray butter that I use on my toast, with oatmeal, on my veggies etc. that has no calories and no fat. It tastes just like butter but is not good to cook with in most cases (altho you can use it on pastas and with mac & cheese.)
If I know I dont want the cold taste of spray I just leave it out on the counter for 30 mins. before I start cookins and its ready for my baked tater!
Its in the butter isle and is pretty cheap. I can't B/L its not butter also makes a spray that tastes good.
Hope this helps (o:
OS*
I was goin to mention the spray. We've used it a lot, and I will even admit it's not too bad. It can go wiht pretty much anything- bread, veggies, crackers etc.
Also I tried this olive oil spread, similar in texture to margarine, that was good and pretty healthy. I think it was put out by "Promise." Pretty tasty too, I might add.
I like the idea of butter though, as long as it's in moderation. What can I say, that stuff is divine;-) Ah well.
Parkay makes a great spray butter that I use on my toast, with oatmeal, on my veggies etc. that has no calories and no fat. It tastes just like butter but is not good to cook with in most cases (altho you can use it on pastas and with mac & cheese.)
If I know I dont want the cold taste of spray I just leave it out on the counter for 30 mins. before I start cookins and its ready for my baked tater!
Its in the butter isle and is pretty cheap. I can't B/L its not butter also makes a spray that tastes good.
Hope this helps (o:
OS*
I was goin to mention the spray. We've used it a lot, and I will even admit it's not too bad. It can go wiht pretty much anything- bread, veggies, crackers etc.
Also I tried this olive oil spread, similar in texture to margarine, that was good and pretty healthy. I think it was put out by "Promise." Pretty tasty too, I might add.
I like the idea of butter though, as long as it's in moderation. What can I say, that stuff is divine;-) Ah well.
girlygirly
07-20-2003, 09:45 AM
The important thing to keep in mind about margarine is that they have hydrogenated fats in them. That is why they are sooooooo bad for you. Even the sprays do. They are not a healthy alternative. I'm telling you, stick with organic butter. I do, and the taste can not be compared to.
Magpiezoe
07-21-2003, 01:00 PM
Hello, I used to use butter, until I got high cholesterol. Some of the margarines on the market have sat. fat and trans. fat in them. Butter has a lot of sat. fat. If you're counting total fat then butter and margarine are the same. That's why I have switched to ICBINB and sparse use of olive oil. (Another words...I don't deep fry, but I do occationally stir fry and use olive oil in place of butter when I make my own bread.) I've never seen where it's mentioned that butter has good fat, but I'm sure someone will correct me. Olive oil is the one with the good fat and so is fish and nuts and flax seed. No problem with cholesterol or family history....then I'd say to eat whatever you want.
------------------
Magpie
------------------
Magpie