We all love butter on our toast and parathas. While it may seem butter is irreplaceable, that may not be true. Check out eight healthy substitutes that can replace butter and its nutrients.
In many cuisines, butter is an indispensable ingredient, but it contains high calories and saturated fat, which can be hazardous to health.
Whether you slather it on toast or use it for baking delicious treats, this beloved ingredient is hard to resist. But too much butter can be detrimental to health. If you are on a quest to find a healthy alternative to butter that tastes equally good, keep reading!
The good news is that there are many flavourful substitutes for butter— that can be used as a spread on your toast. Without further ado, add these nutritious alternatives to your morning breakfast—and delight your taste buds and gut health.
Nut butter has two very popular and sought-after varieties—peanut and almond—and can rival butter in terms of flavour. Peanut and almond butter are rich in fibre, protein, and healthy fats—making them a brilliant choice for a nutritious diet. These versatile butter alternatives can be savoured as a dip, or spread and can be used in baking.
Avocado is one of the most common substitutes for butter, and it is due to its consistency and texture, which is close to that of butter. Not to mention, we all know the countless benefits of adding avocado to our diet. It is packed with essential minerals and nutrients and heart-healthy monounsaturated fats. Puree or mash ripe avocados—and slather it on your toast instead of butter, and enjoy!
If you want to bake something without butter, use Greek yoghurt to replace it. It is rich in calcium and protein and low in fat—a far more healthier alternative. In baking recipes, you may also substitute oil with Greek yoghurt to increase protein content and minimise calorie content in your sweet treats.
Margarine is made from vegetable oil, and uses artificial flavour to replicate butter’s taste. It is a wonderful and nutritious alternative to butter—especially for baked items—because its high water content adds a creamy, softer texture. However, margarine has one major downside—it is highly processed—so consume it sparingly.
Pumpkin purée is a nutrient-rich, flavourful butter alternative that is commonly used in baking. This delectable spread adds sweetness to baked treats and offers a creamy texture to the recipe, with a dash of seasonal warmth. When subbing pumpkin to replace butter, stick to a ratio of 3:4.
This delectable Mediterranean dip is loved globally—and it is typically made from tahini, chickpeas, spices, olive oil, and lemon. Hummus can substitute the use of butter in sauces and soups and can be enjoyed as a flavourful spread over breads, rolls and pita.
Bananas add a fruity, creamy goodness to sweet treats and baked goods. This nutritious fruit can substitute butter in baking recipes like muffins, cakes, cookies and even breads.
Applesauce often substitutes butter in baking recipes, and it is touted for its health benefits. It has low-calorie content and fat. In addition, applesauce adds moisture to baked items. You can replace butter or oil with applesauce in every baking recipe, such as cakes, muffins, and bread.
Whether you are out of butter, your dietician has asked you to curb your calorie intake, or are lactose intolerant—these nutritious alternatives will not disappoint you.
