Key benefits of margarine spreads

The Dietary Guidelines for Australians recommend that we limit the amount of saturated fat we eat or replace the saturated fats with unsaturated oils. One of the simplest ways of achieving this is to switch from butter to margarine spreads on your toast and sandwiches, and even in cooking and baking.

Here are 6 reasons why margarine spreads are beneficial:

1. 1. Made with the goodness of natural plant seeds

Margarine spreads are made with seeds from Canola and Sunflowers. The oils from these seeds are unsaturated, naturally cholesterol free and classified as the 'good oils'. Scientific research now shows that good oils are an important part of a healthy balanced diet.  

2. The importance of including ‘good oils’ in the diet

Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated oils, including canola, sunflower and olive oil and spreads made with these oils, are commonly referred to as the ‘good’ fats because they have beneficial properties which may help to lower cholesterol and keep your heart and arteries healthy.

3. Monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats

Margarine spreads are rich in monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats. Studies have shown that populations whose diets are high in monounsaturated fats, such as those living in the Mediterranean region, have relatively low incidences of heart disease and other chronic lifestyle disease.

4. A source of heart healthy omega-3

Margarine spreads made with canola oil, is a natural source of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fats are valuable nutrients in a healthy diet – scientific evidence shows that omega-3 fats are beneficial to health throughout all stages of life, with the largest body of research proving that omega-3 fats are essential for healthy development and function of the brain and eye, and supportive of good cardiovascular health

5. Most margarine spreads contain 65% less saturated fat than butter

Most margarine spreads contain 65% less saturated fat than butter. Each 10 gram serving of a typical margarine spread (enough for two slices of bread) contains 1.7g of saturated fat compared to 5.0g of saturated fat in butter. Saturated fat is known as a ‘bad’ fat as it raises cholesterol levels, which increases the risk of heart disease.