I
heard that butter is better for you than margarine. Is this true?
No, definitely
not! In fact, in my opinion, butter may be the worst dairy product
of all. It's nothing but congealed grease. Since it's the fattiest
part of milk, it carries the most pollutants. This is because
many pollutants are fat-loving, fat-soluble chemicals. It can
also directly contribute to a dramatic increase in heart disease,
a condition which begins in the first five years of a child's
life even though it may not kill until many years later. I
don't think children, or anyone for that matter, should eat butter.
Let's be very clear
about another popular misconception. Margarine isn't any better
than butter. Even though it's a vegetable product, margarine is
greasy and full of "trans fats". Trans fats, which are
liquid vegetable oils that have been hydrogenated to make them
spreadable and to increase their stability, have been proven to
increase the incidence of cancer. A study by the Harvard School
of Public Health states that margarine is associated with a 70%
increase in the risk of heart disease in women. Dr. Walter Willet,
who authored a study published in a British medical journal, Lancet,
in March, 1993, advocates the use of soybean, corn or canola oil
to replace the partially hydrogenated vegetable fats found in
most margarine.
Researchers have
found that when women eat four or more teaspoons of margarine
a day, they are at significantly greater risk for heart disease
than women who eat two teaspoons or less during the same period.
Furthermore, they have discovered that this increased risk is
also present when the hydrogenated vegetable fats are consumed
in breads and cookies.
Be safe! Stay away
from butter and margarine and the processed foods that contain
them. You and your children will be healthier without them!
Please remember…..
Be gentle as you are making dietary improvements for your family.
Some families do well with a drastic and complete change and some
require a more gradual approach that leads them to a very occasional
indulgence of a favorite food. Find what works for your family
as you walk this path to improving your health by improving your
foods.
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