Healthy butter alternatives

Q: “I want to use less butter as I know it’s not good for me, but I am not fond of the taste of margarine/table spread on sandwiches or toast. What are some healthier options I could try?”

Wendy

A: Butter is high in saturated fat, which means it’s an ingredient to be cautious with. As with most foods like this, it is all about how you use it. If you love the taste of butter, you may still want to include a thin scraping on your toast from time to time, but use other healthier fats in baking and other cooking. Reduced-fat table spreads work well in baking. You usually won’t notice a difference, taste-wise. Just make sure your spread has at least 60 per cent fat (to keep baking consistency).

Here are some flavoursome alternatives to try instead of butter. Avocado is a creamy and delicious spread full of healthy fats. Hummus — flavoured or plain — adds creamy texture and flavour. And mayonnaise, while not low in fat, is another option. If your sandwiches use dense bread and moist fillings, you may find you don’t need butter/spread at all. Experiment with interesting chutneys and relishes instead.