While the benefits of plant-based eating are clear, there are many vegan and plant-based foods that seem healthy but are in actuality not great choices.
One such food item is vegan butter, which many assume is a healthy replacement for dairy butter. Yet vegan butters typically contain vegetable oils that can be inflammatory and harmful. For foods that do not easily yield oil, such as sunflower seeds, corn, or soybeans, removing the oil involves an aggressive process that uses high heat, chemical solvents, detergents, and deodorizers that can be toxic. Furthermore, the fats in these oils become damaged in this process, producing free radicals that can damage our cells.
If you enjoy vegan butter, consider checking the ingredients and opt for a choice with avocado, olive, or coconut oil. Other healthy spreads you might include are hummus, mashed avocado, or nut butters. These spreads contain healthy fats, no added vegetable oils, and are delicious!
