references
  
      National Dairy Council: “Butter”
    
      My Food Data: “Margarine”
    
      My Food Data: “Vegan Butter”
    
      My Food Data: “Unsalted Butter”
    
      NIH: “Vitamin A Fact Sheet for Health Professionals”
    
      Harvard Health Publishing: “Living with lactose intolerance”
    
      USDA: "Is butter safe at room temperature?"
    
      Harvard Health Publishing: "Butter vs. Margarine"
    




Butter is high in calories and saturated fat, so it's best enjoyed in moderation.

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

Image Credit: LIVESTRONG.com Creative

There is one major difference between butter and margarine: Butter is made from cow’s milk dairy while margarine is derived from plant oils. Before trans fats were banned, many margarines contained the harmful fat. Nowadays, most margarine brands on the market are free of trans fat yet still caloric like butter, so you’ll want to limit them as well, per Harvard Health Publishing.

Before trans fats were banned, many margarines contained the harmful fat. Nowadays, most margarine brands on the market are free of trans fat yet still caloric like butter, so you’ll want to limit them as well, per Harvard Health Publishing.

30.5 mg

  • ​Sodium:​ 1.6 mg
  • ​Total carbs:​ 0 g
  • ​Dietary fiber:​ 0 g
  • ​Sugar:​ 0
  • g
  • ​Added sugar:​ 0 g
  • ​Protein:​ 0.1 g

​Per 1 tablespoon​ Unsalted butter Margarine Vegan butter Calories 102 102 90 Fat 11.5 g 11.5 g 11 g Saturated Fat 7.2 g 2.2 g 8 g Carbs 0 g 0.1 g 0 g Protein 0.1 g 0 g 0 g

Source: USDA

Source: USDA

Butter is generally safe for those with lactose intolerance due to its very low, trace amounts of lactose. Cultured butter may contain even less lactose since it starts with fermented cream and is easier to digest.

Making butter at home is a relatively simple task and can easily upgrade your baked goods.

Image Credit: Anjelika Gretskaia/Moment/GettyImages

Image Credit: Anjelika Gretskaia/Moment/GettyImages

Plant-Based Butter Can Be a Healthy Alternative to Real Butter — if You Spread the Right One Substitutes for Butter When Baking Cookies

      National Dairy Council: “Butter”
    
      My Food Data: “Margarine”
    
      My Food Data: “Vegan Butter”
    
      My Food Data: “Unsalted Butter”
    
      NIH: “Vitamin A Fact Sheet for Health Professionals”
    
      Harvard Health Publishing: “Living with lactose intolerance”
    
      USDA: "Is butter safe at room temperature?"
    
      Harvard Health Publishing: "Butter vs. Margarine"