Butter is a basic product in Spanish homes, whether it is spread on the toast that accompanies coffee at breakfast time, as well as for the preparation of a wide number of culinary preparations, from pastries to gourmet cuisine. However, It is not advisable to abuse its consumption excessively, since it has a high contribution of fats and saturated fatty acids.
This food comes from the milk fat obtained after whipping the cream, which is why Its fat content exceeds 80%, although there are some types of butter that contain a somewhat lower percentage. Although it is preferable not to consume it daily and give priority to olive oil, butter can be consumed as long as it is in small quantities and of good quality, although the latter is not easy to find.
This is why the Organization of Consumers and Users (OCU) has carried out a study in which a total of 63 butters have been analyzed, classified as traditional, salted and light butter. Thanks to this evaluation, it has been possible to reach a conclusion, and that is that there is only one healthy supermarket butter.
The healthiest supermarket butter
This is the Unique butter, produced by the Galician company Feiraco, which has created a product made only with pasteurized cream, without the presence of other ingredients and additives. The OCU highlights its composition and origin, in farms certified in Animal Welfare, in addition to the fact that it is very easy to spread. Its purity and naturalness make it offer an excellent flavor and texture.
It is a butter with 82 grams of fat, of which 47.5 grams are saturated fats, 28.3 grams monounsaturated and 6.1 grams polyunsaturated. In addition, it does not contain sugar and its salt content is very low, with just 0.1%.
Únicla butter, which has been awarded for its flavor by the International Taste Award, stands out for the OCU for its high nutritional quality, qualifying it as “outstanding”, since it provides essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 and Omega-6, which They are beneficial for the nervous, cardiovascular and immune systems, as well as for brain health. In addition, they have antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory properties.
On the other hand, the Organization of Consumers and Users highlights that it is rich in vitamins A and D, which are important for eye and skin health, and to promote the absorption of phosphorus and calcium in the body, respectively. In any case, and despite its interesting characteristics, it is recommended to consume it in moderation, especially if you are pursuing a weight loss goal, since it has a high calorie content, with 743 kcal per 100 grams of product, to which we must add its saturated fats.
Excessive consumption of saturated fats can raise cholesterol levels and increase the risk of suffering from cardiovascular diseases, so it is recommended not to exceed the limits. 10 grams of butter daily (one teaspoon).
Anyone who wants to enjoy Feiraco’s Únicla butter, the only healthy supermarket butter, can find the product in different chains such as El Corte Inglés, Alcampo or Hipercor, as well as online through different e-commerce platforms. Its approximate sales price is 2.50 euros per 250 grams.
Alternatives to butter
Although Únicla butter is considered by the OCU to be the healthiest option that can be found in Spanish supermarkets, it is not advisable to abuse its consumption due to the characteristics of this food.
This is why, if you are looking to enjoy a healthier diet, it is advisable to know some products that can be used to replace the butter in some uses and recipes, such as the following:
- Extra virgin olive oil: Olive oil provides healthy fats, with monounsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and antioxidants, being an excellent alternative for spreading bread on morning toast, as well as for salad dressing and for cooking. It has a characteristic flavor and this can mean that, in some recipes, such as desserts, it can slightly vary their flavor if it replaces butter, so its use in these cases will depend on the personal preferences of the cook. .
- Margarine: There are usually many doubts regarding whether it is better to consume butter or margarine, the latter being a product that is made from interesterified or hydrogenated vegetable oils, which are solidified so that they acquire a consistency and texture similar to butter. In this case, it can be used both for cooking and as a spread or for making pastry recipes, offering a neutral flavor that makes it fit into many preparations. However, it is important to choose margarines that do not contain trans fats or do so in small quantities, since these are harmful to health.
- Fresh cheese: This dairy product, which stands out for having a low fat content and a high calcium and protein content, can become one of the best options to replace butter. It can be used as a spread on bread, toast or cookies, and can also be added to sandwiches, desserts, salads and many other preparations thanks to its mild flavor and creamy texture.
