Butter is a staple in many Australian households, a rich and flavorful addition to everything from morning toast to culinary masterpieces.
Yet, not all butters are created equal, and what you pick off the supermarket shelf could be impacting more than just your taste buds.
Today, we’re delving into the butter bin to uncover the truth behind what you’re spreading on your bread.
Paediatric Nutritionist Mandy Sacher has raised the alarm on the butter aisle at popular supermarkets like Coles, Woolworths, and ALDI.
She highlighted the importance of scrutinising the packaging to ensure you get the real deal. According to Mandy, ‘Real butter is one of the simplest and most traditional wholefoods.’
She further adds, ‘It should only contain cream for unsalted versions, and cream and salt for salted versions. When extra ingredients like vegetable oils, emulsifiers, or preservatives are added, you’re no longer consuming traditional butter—you’re consuming an ultra—processed spread.’
These additives not only dilute the product’s nutritional value but may also introduce inflammatory fats into your diet. For growing children, Mandy emphasises the importance of clean, recognisable ingredients.
In its purest form, butter is packed with fat-soluble vitamins like A, D, E, and K, which are crucial for immunity and bone health.
It’s particularly beneficial for young children due to its saturated fat content, which is essential for growth and development. Moderation is key to avoiding raising harmful cholesterol levels.
‘Many spreadable butters contain as little as 8–60 per cent real dairy, with the rest made up of processed vegetable oils, emulsifiers, preservatives, artificial flavours, and synthetic vitamins designed to mimic butter’s natural benefits,’ Mandy explains.
These are not the traditional butters that support brain development and a strong immune system.
When it comes to cost, Mandy points out that block butter may seem more expensive at first glance, but it offers better value for money in terms of flavour and nutrition.
She recommends simple, no-name block butters, particularly those that are unsalted and Australian-made, as they are often the most affordable and trustworthy options.
For example, Woolworths’ Australian Butter Salted is priced at $4.80 for 250g, while the spreadable Lurpak’s Slightly Salted Butter, which includes canola oil, is priced at $6 for the same weight. Coles Organic Unsalted Butter 250g is similarly priced at $5.20.
Mandy prefers grass-fed, organic, unsalted butter, and while she loves premium brands like Pepe Saya, she acknowledges that affordability is key and often opts for specials like Macro Organic Butter or other quality, budget-friendly options.
If you’re set on spreadable butter, Mainland Buttersoft Pure Butter Tub Salted 375g is a solid choice, containing only cream and salt, priced similarly per 100g to the block butters mentioned. ALDI’s Pure Valley Salted Butter 375g is another good option, slightly cheaper at $6.69.
Mandy understands the morning rush and the convenience of spreadable butter but urges families to resist the temptation. Instead, she offers five clever hacks to make block butter more spreadable:
- The Grater Method: Grate cold butter directly onto warm toast for instant melting and easy spreading.
- Butter Bell/Keeper: Store a portion of butter at room temperature in a butter bell or keeper with a water seal for up to a week of spreadable butter.
- Heated Knife Trick: Warm your butter knife under hot water to glide through cold butter effortlessly.
- Hot Glass Method: Warm a glass with hot water, empty it, and place it over the butter stick for a couple of minutes to soften.
- Pre-portion Hack: Slice butter into thin pats and store them between parchment paper in the fridge for quick softening.
We’re all about making informed choices, especially when it comes to the food we eat and feed our families. Next time you’re navigating the dairy aisle, take a moment to read the labels and choose a product that’s not only delicious but also nourishing.
And remember, a little extra effort in preparation can go a long way in preserving the health benefits of traditional foods like butter.
We’d love to hear from you, dear readers. Have you tried any of Mandy’s hacks to make block butter more spreadable? Or perhaps you have a tip of your own to share? Drop us a comment below and let’s spread the word on healthy, wholesome eating!
Also read: The sunny side of nutrition: Eggs could boost heart health and longevity
