Having used the same substitute spread for a long time after seeing a TV programme I actually read the labels and was shocked to find it had red high levels for fat and saturated fat. Solesta's label depicted a yellow heart with outer layer of green which one might assume a healthy heart product but I'm not so sure now. It claims to be high in polyunsaturates (healthy), mono or diglycerides claimed to be harmless and help to keep the product stable and palm oil which is the saturated fat ingredient healthy as a fruit but less healthy when processed as a spread hence the red high levels.
Here are some facts:
Whipped Butter
To produce a fluffier, lighter product (in feel and calories/fat!), manufacturers whip air into regular butter. Generally, a tablespoon of whipped butter delivers 70 calories, 7 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat. Definitely a calorie savings if you’re trying to shed pounds—and better for your heart than regular butter, to boot.
Whipped Butter
To produce a fluffier, lighter product (in feel and calories/fat!), manufacturers whip air into regular butter. Generally, a tablespoon of whipped butter delivers 70 calories, 7 grams of fat, 5 grams of saturated fat. Definitely a calorie savings if you’re trying to shed pounds—and better for your heart than regular butter, to boot.
"Spreadable" Butters
Typically, these butters add just a little bit of oil (often canola), which makes them easier to spread. Their nutritional profiles are very similar to that of regular butter.
Margarine and Other Spreads
You’ll find all sorts of oil-based spreads falling into this category. "Margarine" is a product that has 80 percent fat, like butter. Many (but not all) other "soft spreads" or "tub" buttery products have less total fat as well as less saturated fat and/or calories. Often, these products tend to sport long lists of ingredients. Most of these ingredients (e.g., maltodextrin, mono or diglycerides) are harmless and help to keep the product stable. One thing you should scan for are the words "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated." If the ingredient list includes one of these, then the product is not really trans-fat free (The FDA allows foods with less than 0.5 gram to be rounded down to 0.)
Stanol- or Sterol-Containing Spreads
These spreads have patented formulas so it’s hard to tell exactly what’s in them beyond a blend of oils plus stanols or sterols, plant-based compounds that have been shown to help reduce blood cholesterol. (These compounds are similar in structure to cholesterol and so they compete with it for absorption in the body.) Generally the "regular" versions of these spreads have about 70-80 calories, 8 grams of fat and about 2.5 grams of saturated fat. "Light" versions have a little less. As with all spreads, remember to scan the ingredient list for "hydrogenated" or "partially hydrogenated" oils.
What Should You Buy?
What to buy, whipped butter or a spread? My answer: If you’re comparing it to traditional butter, whipped butter will definitely save you calories, fat and saturated fat. A spread might or might not and could also contain trans fats. If a spread is your preference, you definitely need to read labels!
Essential Fatty Acids
Omega-3
