Wednesday, February 27, 2008

I love butter

I know it's rather heretical to talk about butter on a weight-loss blog, but hear me out. I'm one of the [probably] few 'dieters' who still eats real, honest-to-goodness butter. I've flirted with margarine over the years, and even took a turn around the dance floor with Smart Balance Buttery Spread.

But I always come back to butter, for at least a couple of what I think are very good reasons.

First, it's a natural food product. No chemicals, no preservatives, just cow's milk churned into buttery goodness. My butter package lists two ingredients: Pasteurized cream and salt.

Second, there's very little waste. The butter on my grocer's shelf is wrapped in paper, four sticks to a cardboard box. I grew up eating margarine, which was presented in little plastic tubs with lids. I swear my mother saved every one of those containers; they would tumble out of the cupboard every time you opened the door. One company even made their bowls from a fairly heavy plastic. We ate cereal and ice cream from those bowls, which are probably still sitting in the landfill in my childhood home town.

Third, of course, butter tastes great!

And finally, like parmesan cheese, it doesn't take much to satisfy. With butter, a little bit truly does go a long way.
A pat on an English muffin, two on a baked potato, a little melted butter on a bowl of popcorn – just enough to give you that yummy mouthfeel. Molly McButter just can't compete.

Besides, if you use too much it'll stain the front of your shirt. Ask me how I know. Heh.

24 comments:

Grumpy Chair said...

Well you have convinced me of the "green" reasons to eat butter!

I gave up on butter replacements two years ago and instead allowed myself 2 tbs. butter per week. I'm now down to 1 tbs. (due to higher cholesterol reading in November). I usually pair it with a whole grain waffle.

Hope you have a good day.

LME said...

I, too, grew up eating margarine (and then cereal) out of those plastic tubs.

After I spent a couple of years in Europe while I was in college and grad school, I couldn't bring myself to eat margarine anymore. And forget all those crazy chemical cocktail substitutes, also.

I don't eat a lot of butter, but it's what I use. It doesn't take much because it has so much flavor.

Also for baking, which I don't do much of, but if so, then it's butter.

Anonymous said...

I too go by the adage "I'd rather trust cows than chemist!"

Laura N said...

You are too funny. A post on butter, I love it. I only eat butter, too. I grew up on margarine--the huge tubs--and then when I met my husband he introduced me to real butter. I've never gone back to the fake crap. I love butter for all the reasons you list here. I keep a stick on the counter in an old-fashioned butter dish I got at Linens & Things. And I don't use it often, but when I need it, it's there.

Unknown said...

i've always eaten butter, regardless if i was dieting or not... i found the taste of margarine to be rather gross and considering i eat butter on such rare occasions - i'd rather enjoy what i'm eating! ;o)

denise said...

I guess I need to go buy some butter and try it. I also grew up eating margarine, but because of that, that's what I have a "taste" for. The times I've tried butter, I've had the opposite experience - I find it to have less taste than I like - I think margarine is saltier maybe...

Kada said...

I've tried margarine and I simply cannot do it. No flavour, different mouth feel and I use a tonne more of it to try and make up for the many ways in which it is lacking.

As my grandfather used to say, "Butter makes it better."

Kathryn said...

I normally don't have any spreads but I figure if you're going to have something then definitely have butter. My dad used to call margarine axel grease cos he reckoned it was made of the same stuff.

Anonymous said...

Great post. First time reader. I will be back!

Anonymous said...

Sound interesting.......... :)
I, too, grew up eating margarine ,I don't eat a lot of butter, but it's what I use .

"Butter makes it better." .... :)

Herbalife Australia said...

the stains on the shirt???

One week direct diet said...

me too love buter ...with every single diet i hav i eat butter...we should avoid those since it contains fats.in your body

Weight loss said...

Great article I gave up on butter replacements two years ago and instead allowed myself 2 tbs. butter per week. I'm now down to 1 tbs.

EMR said...

Hey, join the clan. I also love butter. It tastes so yum. But on a serious note there is another healthy reason for having butter. It is good for your skin and for your stomach as well. :D

Alex said...

thanks for posting. i think some butter will not hurt anyone's diet. in my opinion it is still better then margarine.

Hrormone Replacement Therapy said...

Great post! i think butter is very good for the human body, you can gain fat with the better.

Shared Decision Making said...

Hey butter is always yum to cheer a boring meal.I love my daily or weekly dose...but in very little measure.

best weight loss pills said...

great article, i want more and more article like this from you.

Buy Propecia said...

it is bad to deprive..because then I over eat that stuff...so I have it in mild quantities sometimes.Love the buttery cakes.

SarahRider said...

I love butter i cant avoid it, by the way as kind advice i recommend anyone to give the Acai berry a try i've been using it for years and over the years its helped me loose tons of weight and put me to a very balanced size along with my gym routines. Its aided my weightloss and giving me the motivation and energy boost i need to continue with loosing more weight really recommend it.

http://www.AcaiFruitHut.com Offer more information and products of this nature for a fantastic price.

CathyIOW47 said...

I believe we should be able to enjoy real food without all the additives. Butter is great, like you say, you just don't go mad with it. I run a specialised weight loss service in the UK and I reccommend butter and other whole foods to clients. I don't ever recommend diet food ahich are as a rule full of refined carbs to replace the fats removed. This is in my opinion worse! wieght loss Winchester

Paul Jhonson said...

Excellent post and i am really happy know that there are many food items which are very beneficial for our health. Keep providing us good tips on health!

Thanks
Regards
.P-
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lose weight said...

You are too funny. A post on butter, I love it. I only eat butter, too. I grew up on margarine--the huge tubs--and then when I met my husband he introduced me to real butter. I've never gone back to the fake crap. I love butter for all the reasons you list here. I keep a stick on the counter in an old-fashioned butter dish I got at Linens & Things.

hgh therapy said...

Well I don't consume many of dairy disperse, but it's what I use. It doesn't take much because it has so much flavor.