Could Butter Be Better for You Than Cooking Spray?

When you’re trying to eat healthy, fat-free is best, right? Not necessarily.

A recent Time article, “Eat Butter – Ending the War on Fat,” said new research shows that fat, long vilified as the unhealthiest part of our diets, is not to blame for Americans becoming sicker and fatter. Instead, carbs, sugar and processed foods are the big culprits when it comes to diabetes, obesity and other weight-related illnesses, Time said.

Given a choice of two foods, do you think you could pick the healthier option? Check out Time’s food quiz and find out.

When it comes to consuming real butter or a spray-on fake butter, Time said:

Serving size for spray butters (even low-calorie ones) are around a 1/3 second spray. What on earth does that mean? You’re better off using a small amount of real butter as opposed to guessing how much you’re using of the mystery melange of up to 20 ingredients.

According to Shape magazine, oftentimes when Americans attempt to eliminate fat from their diets, refined carbohydrates take center state.

We didn’t replace fat with fruits and veggies, but rather “fat-free” products and sugary carbs, not high-fiber ones. For some reason Americans believed that if it said “fat-free” on the label, then it was “calorie-free”; obviously that’s not the case.

Time’s message seems clear: Don’t run from fats.

Does this give you free rein to eat a half gallon of ice cream? Obviously, no. Common sense should prevail here.

Moderation is key, according to Shape:

“Eat more fat” is not the correct message. One serving of butter on my potato is not the same as a stick. If only everyone could focus on eating a variety of whole foods that include fruits, veggies, 100 percent whole grains, dairy, and nuts, and watch their portion sizes, then I think positive change could really happen.

Did the answers to Time’s healthy foods quiz surprise you? Share your comments below or on our Facebook page.