Bye Bye Butter: Substitutions for All of Your Favorite Dishes

| 3 min read

bye bye butter
Heart disease is the number one health problem in the U.S. today and the single leading cause of death according to the American Heart Association. But there’s good news: Improving your diet can lower your risk. And one thing to cut down on is animal-based, high-saturated-fat foods like butter. Sure it tastes delicious spread on a slice of toast, but butter is high in calories and saturated fat, which can lead to clogged arteries and, you guessed it, heart disease.
But it’s not easy to say goodbye to butter, especially this time of year when you’re indulging in your favorite foods and baked goods. What many people don’t realize is that there are many ingredient swaps for butter. Incorporating these heart-healthy substitutes into your cooking and baking can help ensure you’re taking care of your health as you indulge in treats this holiday season.
  • Canola oil  Canola oil has fat but it’s mostly monounsaturated. Plus it comes with omega-3 fatty acids and is cholesterol free. Use it instead of butter when sautéing vegetables.
  • Olive oil – Cut down on saturated fats when cooking eggs by switching to olive oil. When you do so, you’ll also get a healthy dose of essential omega-3 fatty acids, as opposed to saturated fat. Extra virgin olive oil also tastes delicious drizzled on your favorite bread.
  • Unsweetened applesauce – This replacement for butter works well in banana bread, muffins and even with pre-boxed mixes.
  • Avocado puree – Since butter and avocado have the same consistency at room temperature, the creaminess and subtle flavor taste great as a replacement in fudge brownies.
  • Mashed bananas  One cup of mashed bananas works well in place of one cup of butter or oil in most recipes. The consistency is ideal, and the bananas also add nutrients.
  • Prunes  Prunes can be easily substituted for butter in baked goods. To do so, combine ¾ cup prunes with ¼ cup boiling water and puree to combine. Substitute in equal amounts in most chocolate baked goods recipes.
  • Chia seeds  Combine one tablespoon chia seeds with nine tablespoons water and let sit for 15 minutes to create a gel. It is the perfect consistency to substitute for butter in most baked good recipes.
  • Greek yogurt – Replace half the amount of butter in cookie recipes with half the amount of full-fat plain Greek yogurt. For instance, if a cookie recipe calls for one cup of butter, use ½ cup of butter and ¼ cup of Greek yogurt as a replacement for less calories and saturated fat.
What substitutions have you tried for butter or other fats?
This blog post is part of #HealthyMe, a personalized web experience based on your health and wellness goals. To sign up today, visit http://www.ahealthiermichigan.org/healthyme
Photo credit: Casey Bisson

A Healthier Michigan is sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, a nonprofit, independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
No Personal Healthcare Advice or Other Advice
This Web site provides general educational information on health-related issues and provides access to health-related resources for the convenience of our users. This site and its health-related information and resources are not a substitute for professional medical advice or for the care that patients receive from their physicians or other health care providers.
This site and its health-related information resources are not meant to be the practice of medicine, the practice of nursing, or to carry out any professional health care advice or service in the state where you live. Nothing in this Web site is to be used for medical or nursing diagnosis or professional treatment.
Always seek the advice of your physician or other licensed health care provider. Always consult your health care provider before beginning any new treatment, or if you have any questions regarding a health condition. You should not disregard medical advice, or delay seeking medical advice, because of something you read in this site.