Is It Okay to Eat Butter While Dieting?
For those who love the rich and distinctive flavor of butter, it can be hard to resist, especially during dieting. Is is it okay to eat butter while dieting? Let’s explore the calorie content and dieting effects of butter together.
Butter Calories
According to the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety’s database[1], one spoon (15g) of butter contains 114.2kcal, with the highest proportion being fat at 12.3g.
Particularly, it contains 7.2g of saturated fatty acids and 2.7g of unsaturated fatty acids, making it high in saturated fatty acids.
Is It Okay to Eat Butter When Dieting?
Butter is often perceived as an unhealthy food choice, particularly for those trying to manage their weight, due to its high calorie and fat content. However, with the right approach, butter can be incorporated into a balanced diet in a healthy manner.
Research has actually shown that intake of saturated fats is not directly linked to obesity or metabolic diseases. Therefore, consuming butter itself doesn't necessarily contribute to obesity. [2]
Butter Diet Benefits
Butter can actually be effective for weight loss when used wisely, especially in diets that restrict carbohydrate intake, such as low-carb diets.
When you limit carbohydrates and consume fats like butter, digestion of fats happens slowly, which helps you feel full for a long time, thus reducing overall food intake.
Healthier Butter Diet
So, how should you eat butter while dieting? Consider the following points to effectively incorporate butter into your diet:
Being Mindful of Food Pairings
When consuming butter during a weight loss journey, it's important to be mindful of the foods paired with it. Butter is high in fat, so combining it with high-carbohydrate foods may hinder the proper digestion of the fat, potentially leading to its accumulation.
For instance, spreading butter on bread, which is high in carbs, may not be the most conducive approach to your dieting goals.
To incorporate butter in a healthier manner, it's advisable to reduce the amount of carbohydrates consumed alongside it. A better option could be protein-rich seafood, such as shrimp or scallops, with butter.
Choosing Natural Butter
Butter is divided into two types: natural butter and processed butter. Natural butter contains 100% milk fat with a fat content of over 80%. Processed butter, on the other hand, typically contains 50-79% milk fat and often includes synthetic additives.
Since synthetic additives in processed butter can hinder your dieting efforts, it’s advisable to consume natural butter when dieting. Be sure to check the label to ensure it says “butter” rather than “processed butter”.
Consuming Balanced Fat Intake
Fats play crucial roles in the body, providing energy, maintaining healthy skin and hair, and aiding in vitamin absorption. While the body can synthesize saturated fats, unsaturated fatty acids, known as "essential fatty acids," must be obtained through diet.
During diets, consuming high-fat foods like butter can lead to an imbalance, with a higher intake of saturated fats and lower consumption of unsaturated fats. So it's advisable to incorporate unsaturated fats alongside saturated fats.
Recommended Butter for Dieting
1. Laconbiètte Butter
When dieting, it’s important to choose natural butter. ‘Laconbiètte butter’ is a renowned French butter that is highly sought after for its exceptional quality and flavor.
This premium butter is produced in the Normandy region of France, known for its rich dairy tradition and lush pastures, resulting in a high-quality AOP-certified natural butter.
2. Isigny Butter
Another French butter to consider is Isigny Butter, crafted also in the Normandy region. Like Laconbiètte, Isigny Butter is also AOP-certified by the French government. Try the light and refreshing flavor of Isigny Butter.
3. Organic Valley Ghee Butter
Ghee is a highly purified butter oil made by boiling unsalted fermented butter and completely removing water, protein, and lactose. In fact, ghee butter contains about 10% medium-chain fatty acids, which are rapidly digested and absorbed in the body, aiding in boosting metabolism during dieting.
Moreover, ghee butter does not contain milk sugar or casein, making it suitable for those with difficulty digesting milk. Incorporate Organic Valley ghee butter into your diet plan for added benefits!
References
[1] https://various.foodsafetykorea.go.kr/nutrient/
[2] Kratz M, Baars T, Guyenet S. The relationship between high-fat dairy consumption and obesity, cardiovascular, and metabolic disease. Eur J Nutr. 2013 Feb;52(1):1-24. doi: 10.1007/s00394-012-0418-1. Epub 2012 Jul 19. PMID: 22810464.