I Love Butter! But Is Butter Healthy?

So, Is Butter Healthy?

Hint: Yes!

Butter contains vitamins A, E, and K, which are fat-soluble vitamins important for various bodily functions. Butter also provides small amounts of minerals like calcium, phosphorus, and selenium.

But really is butter healthy for you? Well here is what WebMD says about Butter’s Health Benefits: “It’s rich in nutrients like bone-building calcium and contains compounds linked to lower chances of obesity. Butter can also be part of a low-carbohydrate diet, which may help people better maintain their weight or lose weight quicker than they would with a low-fat diet.” WebMD goes on to say: Butter can help lower the chance of cancer, is good for your eyes, can strengthen your bones, and is good for your skin.

On top of all of this it makes your food taste so much better, so, what’s not to love about butter?

Check out my video to see why I love butter and for more on the question, is butter healthy?

The Truth About Butter! – The Video

Hello friends! One of the most often asked questions I get is, is butter healthy? And I always answer the same way, YES, BUTTER IS GOOD FOR YOU. Everyone must eat butter! Come and learn all about the amazing health benefits butter provides and why you should incorporate it into your diet! Butter is delicious and adds a luxurious texture to a wide variety of foods! EAT BUTTER, my friends! 

The Truth About Butter! – Transcript

Let me bring you back to 1976. That’s when I opened up my first restaurant, a French restaurant by the way one of the 100 best restaurants in America.

All my guests just loved French food. Everybody would leave the restaurant with at least a few ounces of butter, some of them a little bit more, in their system, but everybody was so happy. Ah, those days were amazing.

I’m gonna say like my parents used to say, “The good old days”. And then came the 80s. All of a sudden everybody was obsessed with the idea that butter was bad for you. I know what it was, the margarine police were hard at work demolishing the benefit of using and eating our beloved butter.

I remember my customers asking for sauces without butter. Imagine that, a Beurre Blanc without butter; garlic shrimp without butter; a lemon sauce without butter; a poached salmon without butter. I would have a nightmare at night. I had to rewrite my entire menu without butter.

I even remember I was under contract with PBS for my television show, and Time-Life for my new cookbook. I had to rewrite all the recipes as low-fat recipes. Thank goodness everybody came to their senses a few years later.

Butter is a culinary tradition worldwide, with its high saturated fat content that has raised concerns. Recent research has shown the potential health benefit of incorporating butter into your diet. Butter is more than just a source of creaminess and richness in your favorite dishes. Butter is a nutritional powerhouse.

Yeah, people don’t know that. They think butter is bad. Butter is good. Let’s talk about the surprising health benefits of eating and cooking with butter. Butter contains essential vitamins and minerals that support our overall health. Butter is rich in soluble vitamins such as Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K. Those play a crucial role in your vision, bone health, and immune function.

One of the key benefits of eating butter is the ability to enhance the absorption of nutrients from other food. My Mom would say “It’s like WD-40 for your body! It helps it!” Sounds terrible at the time but it really is.

Saturated fat, talking about saturated fat, you remember this article. I mentioned it a few times. In Time-Life that was not that long ago, 2014. I guess for some of you it’s very long. The title Time-Life “Eat Butter”.

This is a new one by the way. The old one, I gave it to so many people. Anyway, eat butter. Scientists labeled fat the enemy, why they were wrong! In this article, it says “A 2010 meta-analyst – basically it’s a study of other studies – concluded that there was no significant evidence that saturated fat is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Those results were echoed by another meta-analysis published in March in the Annals of Internal Medicine that drew on nearly 80 studies involving more than half a million subjects.”

So we know saturated fat gets a bad name, and has been criticized in the past. And it is a very important part of it. Some of the saturated fats present in butter include a particular type known for their positive effects such as, believe it or not, helping in weight reduction and inflammation.

Really! Apart from the health benefits, butter adds a delightful flavor and richness to a wide variety of dishes. Its creamy texture, its uniqueness, makes it a popular choice among chefs all over the world. The evidence is obvious.

Butter can be a healthy choice when used in moderation. Butter has a rich nutritional composition and includes essential nutrients that can be enjoyed as part of your balanced diet.

In conclusion to this video, I like to quote Fernand Point, one of the old classic French chefs, who said “Butter, butter. Give me Butter, Always Butter.”

Love you guys. I hope you enjoyed this quick video. This introduction that Butter is Good for You. Thanks for watching. We’ll see you soon.

Frequently Asked Questions About Butter

1) Is it better to cook with clarified butter or extra virgin olive oil?

The choice between cooking with clarified butter or extra virgin olive oil depends on several factors, including personal preference, the type of dish being prepared, and desired flavor profiles. Here are some considerations for each option:

Clarified Butter:

(Click here to learn How to Clarify Butter)

• Flavor: Clarified butter has a rich, nutty flavor that can enhance the taste of dishes.
• Smoke Point: Clarified butter has a higher smoke point compared to regular butter, which means it can withstand higher temperatures without burning. This makes it suitable for sautéing, frying, and other high-heat cooking methods.
• Fat Composition: Clarified butter is mostly pure fat with minimal milk solids, which can be beneficial for individuals who are sensitive to lactose or milk proteins.
• Health Benefits: Clarified butter contains vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as small amounts of antioxidants.

Extra Virgin Olive Oil:

(Click here for our Collection of Gourmet Extra Virgin Olive Oils)

• Flavor: Extra virgin olive oil has a distinct fruity flavor that can enhance the taste of many dishes, particularly in Mediterranean cuisine.
• Smoke Point: Extra virgin olive oil has a lower smoke point compared to clarified butter, so it is best used for low to medium-heat cooking, such as sautéing or light frying. Using it at higher temperatures can lead to the oil breaking down and losing its flavor.
• Fat Composition: Extra virgin olive oil is primarily composed of monounsaturated fats, which are considered heart-healthy. It also contains beneficial antioxidants.
• Health Benefits: Extra virgin olive oil is associated with various health benefits, including promoting heart health and reducing inflammation.

In Summary

If you are cooking at high temperatures and desire a rich, nutty flavor, clarified butter may be a good choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a fruity flavor and are cooking at lower temperatures, extra virgin olive oil can be a healthy option. Ultimately, using a variety of cooking fats and oils in moderation can provide a diverse range of flavors and nutritional benefits to your diet.

2) Is butter good for low-carb diets?

Yes, butter is suitable for low-carb diets. Low-carb diets typically involve reducing carbohydrate intake while increasing fat and protein intake. Butter is a high-fat food that contains negligible amounts of carbohydrates, making it compatible with low-carb diets. It can be used as a source of healthy fats to add flavor and richness to meals while keeping carbohydrate intake low. However, as with any dietary component, moderation is key, and it’s important to consider the overall balance of nutrients in your diet for optimal health.

3) Can butter be part of a ketogenic diet?

Yes, butter can be a part of a ketogenic diet. The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet that aims to induce a state of ketosis, where the body primarily uses ketones for energy instead of glucose. Butter is high in fat and low in carbs, making it suitable for a ketogenic diet. It provides a good source of healthy fats, including saturated fats, which are a preferred energy source on a ketogenic diet. However, it’s important to maintain an overall balanced and varied diet while following a ketogenic approach.

4) Is organic butter a healthier option?

Organic butter is not inherently healthier than non-organic butter in terms of its nutritional composition. Organic butter is produced from milk sourced from organically raised cows that are fed organic feed and are not treated with synthetic hormones or antibiotics. While organic farming practices may offer environmental benefits, there is limited evidence to suggest significant differences in the nutritional content between organic and non-organic butter. The overall healthiness of butter depends on its fat content and consumption in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

5) Is butter suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance?

Butter is generally considered suitable for individuals with lactose intolerance because it contains minimal amounts of lactose. During the butter-making process, most of the milk solids and water are removed, leaving behind mostly fat. While butter does contain trace amounts of lactose, it is usually well-tolerated by individuals with lactose intolerance. However, the tolerance level may vary from person to person, so it’s important to listen to your body and consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns.

6) Can butter help with digestion issues like constipation?

Butter contains small amounts of fat-soluble vitamins that can aid in promoting digestive health. Additionally, the presence of butyric acid, a short-chain fatty acid found in butter, has been associated with improved gut function and can potentially alleviate symptoms of constipation. However, it’s important to address underlying causes of constipation, such as low fiber intake or dehydration, in addition to considering dietary modifications like incorporating butter.

7) How does butter differ from margarine?

Butter and margarine are two different types of spreads.

• Butter is made from the cream of milk, while margarine is typically made from vegetable oils.
• Butter is a natural product with a rich flavor, while margarine is a processed product designed to resemble butter.
• Butter contains saturated fats, whereas margarine often contains trans fats, which are considered much less healthy. However, some margarines have been reformulated to reduce trans fats and include healthier oils.

When choosing between Butter and margarine, it’s important to read the labels and select options that are lower in saturated and trans fats. But for a richer, creamier, more delicious flavor I will ALWAYS choose butter. I won’t even allow margarine in my kitchen!

8) Can butter be frozen for long-term storage?

Yes, butter can be frozen to extend its shelf life. To freeze butter, it’s recommended to wrap it tightly in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag to prevent freezer burn and off-flavors. Butter can be stored in the freezer for up to 6-9 months without a significant loss in quality. When thawing frozen butter, it’s best to transfer it to the refrigerator and allow it to thaw slowly. While the texture may change slightly after freezing and thawing, the butter can still be used in cooking and baking, and will still be delicious!

9) What is compound butter?

Compound butter is made by blending softened butter with various herbs, spices, or other ingredients to create a compound mixture that can be used in cooking and baking. These mixtures can be sweet or savory, depending on the desired flavor profile.

Compound butter offers a convenient way to add complexity and richness to a dish. They can be used as spreads, toppings, or incorporated into recipes to enhance the taste and aroma. Some common examples of compound butter include garlic butter, herb butter, truffle butter, and lemon butter. But you are only limited by your imagination.

Click here for some Quick and Easy Compound Butter Recipes!