Organic grass-fed or whey-raised butter is the healthiest for weight loss
You’ve probably heard that butter isn’t ideal for weight loss, but do you know why? Dyc, who works at Circufiber, explains, “It’s made primarily of milk fat — about 80% to be exact. It’s also high in calories. A one-tablespoon serving has 100 calories, 12 grams of fat, and 7 grams of saturated fat.” Yuck! That’s a lot of calories.
And because butter is also a dairy product, it can be bad for your gut health. “Butter is also a dairy product, which can be difficult to digest and very inflammatory for some people. Aside from the calories you get from fat, butter contains no fiber, antioxidants, or other bioactive compounds that are generally used for weight loss,” says she. And consuming butter like margarine can also dull your complexion and lead to premature aging.
That’s why Dyc suggests looking for organic, grass-fed, or pasture-raised butter instead. “This means the butter comes from cows that have been grass-fed for most of their lives, which means it’s higher in omega-3s and less saturated fat,” she notes. Omega-3 fatty acids are also found in oily fish such as salmon. It lowers cholesterol levels and has an anti-inflammatory effect on the body.
Dyc specifically recommends Organic Valley’s organic pasture-raised butter: Organic Valley Cultured Organic Pasture Butter. “As well as having more healthy fats, it contains probiotics for gut health. It’s also free of antibiotics, hormones, and other additives you don’t want in your food,” she adds.
You can easily incorporate this high-quality butter into your weight loss plans. Dyc tells us, “Try using a mix of butter and olive oil to cook your meats and veggies. The fats from these foods help you absorb the antioxidants from the veggies.” Plus, it can make your food taste better so you’ll enjoy your veggies more!
It comes down to
At the end of the day, just because plain butter can be fattening and inflammatory, doesn’t mean you can’t have creamy dairy. In fact, experts like Dyc recommend looking for organic, grass-fed, or pasture-raised butter the next time you’re at the grocery store. Not only is this healthy butter just as delicious as its popular alternative, but it also contains probiotics for your gut health and healthy fats for weight loss.