Margarine usually tops butter when it comes to heart health.Margarine is made from vegetable oils, so it contains unsaturated
"good" fats — polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fats. These types of
fats help reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad," cholesterol
when substituted for saturated fat.
Butter, on the other hand, is made from animal fat, so it contains more saturated fat.
But not all margarines are created equal — some margarines contain
trans fat. In general, the more solid the margarine, the more trans fat
it contains. So stick margarines usually have more trans fat than tub
margarines do.
Trans fat, like saturated fat, increases blood cholesterol levels and
the risk of heart disease. In addition, trans fat lowers high-density
lipoprotein (HDL), or "good," cholesterol levels. So skip the stick and
opt for soft or liquid margarine instead.
Look for a spread that doesn't have trans fats and has the least
amount of saturated fat. When comparing spreads, be sure to read the
Nutrition Facts panel and check the grams of saturated fat and trans
fat. Limit the amount you use to limit the calories.
If you have high cholesterol, check with your doctor about using
spreads that are fortified with plant stanols and sterols, such as
Benecol and Promise Activ, which may help reduce cholesterol.