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Margarine War: Earth Balance vs. Smart Balance

Tue, 05/27/2008 - 3:00am by FitSugar
1,928 Views - 18 comments

As if the war between butter and margarine weren't enough to think about, now I have to choose between kinds of margarine. Have you ever wondered what the difference is between these two? They're both organic, dairy free, and made without hydrogenated oils, but what else sets them apart besides their names?

To find out, read more.

Serving Size 1 tbsp 1 tbsp 1 tbsp
Calories 100 80 102
Total Fat 11g 9g 11.5g
Saturated Fat 3.5g 2.5g 7.3g
Cholesterol 0mg 0mg 31mg
Sodium 120mg 100mg 82mg
Carbs 0g 0g 0g
Fiber 0g 0g 0g
Sugar 0g 0g 0g
Protein 0g 0g .1g

Both Earth Balance and Smart Balance are made with an expeller pressed natural oil blend, but here's the difference: In the Earth Balance, the blend is soybean, palm fruit, canola, and olive, and in the Smart Balance, the blend is palm fruit, soybean, canola, and olive. Not a huge difference, but still worth noting.

As far as taste goes, they both have a mild buttery flavor, which I prefer over other margarines that are made with hydrogenated oil. Not only is it healthier, but it also tastes lighter and doesn't make your mouth feel waxy or greasy. Both Earth and Smart Balance spreads have a smooth, spreadable consistency, and they melt well on warm bread. Since I can't tell the difference in taste or texture, I'd definitely choose Smart Balance over Earth Balance, since it has less fat and less sodium. I'd also choose it over butter since it has less saturated fat. If you've never tried Smart Balance, I'd give it a try. It tastes great on food, but you can also cook and bake with it.

on Yahoo!

18 Comments Add a Comment

  • dunnonuttin's picture
    dunnonuttin
    1

    I never use margarine unless I'm baking.. then I use Earth Balance because it's vegan. Smart balance didn't use to be vegan.. but I see now that it is. It's not something I use all that often but I'd be willing to try smart balance now.

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • marygrace's picture
    marygrace
    2

    I'm also vegan and use Earth Balance, mostly just for baking. If Smart Balance has less fat than Earth Balance (or traditional butter, for that matter) I would be hesitant to bake with it, as less fat would certainly affect the outcome of the food.

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • ladychaos's picture
    ladychaos
    3

    I love Smart Balance!!! I'm also a huge fan of the olive oil margerine by fleishmans. But as for the Smart Balance, I always go for the light...it honestly tastes better.

    Also, marygrace, I'm not vegan, but I do cook with Smart Balance and my food comes out just as delicious, and not much difference (outside of it being healthier).

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • SublimeChica's picture
    SublimeChica
    4

    I too join in the Smart Balance love. They also a make a cooking oil that I use as a substitute for vegetable oil when needed. I think it's a blend of canola, olive and soybean oils with lots of good trans fat.

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • kia's picture
    kia
    6

    I'll look into one of these two. We are a butter household as it is. We don't use it that much but have been on the real stuff for a while.

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • michlny's picture
    michlny
    8

    if they are taking liquid oils and making them solid - isn't that by definition - hydrogenated, and therefore, containing trans-fats?

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • j2e1n9's picture
    j2e1n9
    9

    I agree michlny, I am almost positive that smart balance contains the word hydrogenated somewhere in their ingredient list.

    I say this because my mom switched to this stuff after her doctor told her she had high cholesterol, but when I looked at the ingredients, I saw that it had something bad in it, and I told her to just stick to olive oil or regular butter if she had to. I think its better to have a smidgen of butter than something unnatural and chemical. Sad

    Also, dont these things never go bad even if you leave them out in the sun for a week, they'll still look the same? See, thats not right!

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • RebeccaAdele's picture
    RebeccaAdele
    10

    They might be dairy free, but are they vegan? Most "Lactose-Free" items actually still contain milk. My dad bought some lactose-free icecream for a party and the first ingredient was milk. Doesn't seem healthy to be adding and removing things like that.

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • RebeccaAdele's picture
    RebeccaAdele
    11

    Oh, I forgot to mention that I knew Earth Balance is vegan, but I was just cautioning people with milk allergies (like myself Smiling)

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • LesleyP825's picture
    LesleyP825
    14

    They are both really good but I usually buy the Smart Balance because it's lower in fat and calories. I always use real butter in baking!

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • emalove's picture
    emalove
    15

    I use I Can't Believe It's Not Butter...have for years and it's my favorite!

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • teacherturtle1's picture
    teacherturtle1
    17

    smart balance is the best! better than margarine.. even natural butter is better than margarine. i don't know what i can't believe it's not butter is made of, but i doubt it is made better for you than smart balance.

    18 weeks 6 days ago Report Comment
  • ibiteback's picture
    ibiteback
    18

    I love brummel and brown made with natural yogurt. It tastes great, no trans fats, and has 45 cals a Tbs

    18 weeks 4 days ago Report Comment

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