Butter has been a delicious, useful, and beloved ingredient of many of our favorite foods, including cakes, bread, and pasta. However, we need to acknowledge that it might not be the healthiest part of our diet. Butter is rich in saturated fats, which is the one that can clog arteries and raise the bad cholesterol, or LDL, which is a contributing factor in heart disease. Even when saying goodbye to this delicious ingredient might sound hard, there are many different and healthier alternatives that we can choose without having to give up on taste.
We want to start this list with a very tasteful alternative to butter that might be a bit unexpected. If we love to start our days with buttered toast for breakfast, we may want to try to spread avocado instead. This option is just as delicious as butter, but with the added benefit of being a more nutritious choice. Avocado is rich in fiber, vitamin K, potassium, and monosaturated fat, which happens to be the good kind of fat. This way, we can lower our bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol as well, all without having to say goodbye to a delicious breakfast staple.
A great way to add moist to our baked goods and save a ton of calories in the process is by substituting butter with applesauce instead. This is a butter alternative that works particularly well with sweet recipes, adding moisture and fiber to whatever you want to bake. Another great advantage of opting for applesauce is that it is quite easy to add to any recipe, as you can use equal amounts of applesauce for the butter amounts in the recipe you follow.
Nut butter is another great alternative for butter, especially if you are looking for the perfect topping for a bagel or muffin. Whether you decide to go for peanut or almond butter, you can make any of them your spread of choice without sacrificing taste. Just like avocado, nut butter can offer different nutrients, like fiber, potassium, and heart-healthy fat. Besides, these kinds of butter pair perfectly with sliced strawberry or banana, making the perfect breakfast.
There are many other alternatives for butter that are both healthier and more delicious, like Greek yogurt, olive oil, and even pumpkin puree. Don’t worry about having to choose one, though. Get creative and see which ones work better for you.
