Is Vegan Butter Healthy?

Do vegans have to give up butter? Not necessarily—but they do need to think about their butter choices. When it comes to healthy vegan foods, there are plenty of options. Vegans can choose from a variety of plant-based alternatives that taste just as good—if not better—than their animal-based counterparts. Even if you’re not a vegan, you probably recognize the nutritional benefits of eating more plant-based foods. These diets are usually lower in saturated fat and higher in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants compared with conventional or “industrial” farming methods. In this article, we discuss the pros and cons of eating vegan butter as well as explain how it can be healthier than dairy alternatives like margarine or cooking oils.

In this article, we talked about why vegans don’t eat dairy butter: Do Vegans Eat Butter?

Vegan butter: Why use them?

Vegan butter—also called vegan margarine—is made from oils like canola, soy, sunflower, or sunflower seed oil combined with a thickening agent, like legumin (or “beany”) protein. No animal products are used in the process.
Vegan butter is great for spreading on your toast or sandwich, for baking, or for drizzling over your vegetables. They also make a healthy alternative to butter when you need to whip up a quick snack or dinner. Vegan butter is a great food for vegans or anyone who is lactose intolerant or allergic to dairy. Butter is made from milk, and as a result, lactose intolerance is common in people who are intolerant to dairy. Eating vegan butter is an easy way to avoid dairy products, including lactose, and get the same benefits from plant-based foods.

Since these butter are made from oils, they can have a higher tendency to go rancid, so make sure to store them in a cool, dry, dark cupboard.

What is vegan butter?

Vegan butter is a type of plant-based butter that is made from oils like canola, sunflower seed, soy, or olive oil and a protein called legumin. Legumin is a legume that includes beans such as soybeans, peanuts, and lima beans. It’s about 75% protein and contains lots of fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. It’s a great thickening agent for butter-based sauces and spreads.

Types of vegan butter

Vegan butter is the most common type. It’s made from soybean oil and legumin, which is a seed from a legume plant. This is a great option for vegans who want to avoid soy and are allergic to dairy. Plant-based oils also exist like macadamia nut oil, which is high in antioxidants and has a rich, nutty taste. Other oils that can be used include canola, coconut, olive, flaxseed, avocado, walnut, and sunflower seed oil. You can even use combinations, such as cashew and coconut oil. All these vegan butter are great for spreading or using in recipes.

Health benefits of eating vegan butter

Vegan butter is rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can promote good health. Vitamin B-6 is an essential nutrient that helps with metabolism and cell function, and B-6 is found in high amounts in vegan butter. Vitamin E is essential for protecting cell membranes, regulating nerve function, and reducing inflammation. It also reduces the risk of heart disease and helps maintain healthy skin and hair. Potassium is important for maintaining fluid balance, muscle and nerve function, and heart health. It’s also important for preventing high blood pressure. Minerals like selenium, zinc, and iron play an important role in metabolism, immunity, and brain function. Plant-based butter is also low in saturated fat and calories, making them a healthy alternative to animal-based butter.

How to make your vegan butter

Vegan butter is simply oil and protein. You can make it at home by blending oils and seeds or buying a plant-based butter substitute. Simply blend your chosen oils with the protein in a blender or food processor and strain out any chunks or seeds that remain. You can store vegan butter in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Benefits of cooking with vegan butter

Vegan butter is a great alternative to traditional butter in recipes because it can be used as a butter substitute and stand in for real butter. Vegan butter can be used for sautéing, baking, or simmering in stews, soups, sauces, casseroles, and more. They can also be used as a drizzling oil for vegetables, a dipping oil for bread, or a spread for breakfast items. Vegan butter is a great alternative to traditional dairy butter because they are both healthy and flavorful. They are also easy to make at home, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on butter while trying to cut down on animal product intake.

Which brands make vegan butter?

There are a few common brands of vegan butter: Earth Balance and Becel. Becel is a popular brand in Canada and the United States, and Earth Balance is a common brand found in North America and Germany. You can also make your own vegan butter with cashew cream or coconut oil.
So, what’s the difference between vegan butter and regular butter?

Strength, texture and consistency are key factors that set healthy vegan butter apart from its animal-based counterpart. Vegan butters tend to be higher in fat than their non-vegan counterpart. They have a thicker consistency, which means they’re more likely to spread easily on bread or crackers. Finally, if you’re looking for a spreadable option, look for vegan butters that have a higher ratio of fats to water.

Should you eat margarine instead of dairy butter?

Margarine is an excellent alternative to dairy butter, especially if you have a dairy allergy or intolerance. Margarine contains no lactose and is typically made from vegetable oils, including canola, soybean, palm, and coconut oil. It’s also a good source of vitamins A and D.
It’s a good idea to check the ingredients list before choosing a margarine because some of them contain added sugars or other ingredients that aren’t suitable for vegans and people with diabetes.
However, on average, margarine has about the same amount of saturated fat as butter (5g vs 6g per tablespoon), so it shouldn’t be viewed as a healthy alternative to dairy butter.
In addition to being made from plant-based oil, vegan and vegetarian margarines are also free of animal products like whey, casein, and lactose. So they’re a great option for anyone who avoids animal foods like meat, fish, and eggs.

How to Make Vegan Butter at Home

Making vegan butter at home is easy and fun. It’s a great way to save money, and it tastes better than store-bought vegan butter because you know exactly what is going into it.
To make vegan butter at home, you will need a high-speed blender (like Vitamix). You can also use a food processor, but be careful not to overprocess the mixture, or the butter will become grainy.
1- To make vegan butter, you will first need to soak cashews in water overnight. This allows the cashews to absorb more of the water and soften. Once they have softened, drain and rinse them under cool running water. Next, add them to your high-speed blender along with your liquid of choice (water or plant milk). You can also add vanilla extract for extra flavor. Blend until smooth and creamy. Pour into a container and keep refrigerated until ready to use.

2. coconut oil – This ingredient acts as a fat and helps create a creamy texture in your vegan butter. It also helps keep the ingredients inside the butter suspended so that they don’t separate during storage or processing. Coconut oil has a high smoke point and is non-dairy, making it an excellent choice for cooking.

Conclusion

Vegan butter is a great alternative to traditional butter that is low in saturated fat, cholesterol, and sodium. It can be used in place of real butter in recipes or as a topping for bread or vegetables. Additionally, vegan butter like macadamia nut oil is rich in antioxidants and minerals that are great for your health, improving heart health and immunity as well as promoting metabolism and brain function.

Have you ever used vegetable butter? What is the difference in taste with dairy butter?
Have you tried making vegetable butter at home?
Please tell me your thoughts on this “Is plant based butter healthy ” article in the comments below.

sara

Hi, I’m Sara, a vegan mom of two. My family and I have been living a vegan lifestyle for over 8 years now. I’m excited to share tips and insights about veganism and plant-based living through my posts. I love exploring new ideas, reading, and finding ways to grow. My passion for learning drives me to share what I discover, hoping to inspire and inform others along the way. As a content writer and screenwriter, I’m passionate about creating impactful stories around veganism, animal rights, and social justice. I’ve written several short films that explore the connection between veganism and social justice, with my work featured in various publications. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to drop them in the comments section or shoot me an email through the contact form on the website—I usually respond within 24 hours.