Introduction
Butter is usually a dairy product made from the proteins and fats found in various animal milk and cream. Most animal-based butter is usually made from cow milk, but various parts of India use milk from local animals like goats, sheep, and even yak’s milk to make butter. However, unlike popular myths, butter is not bad for your kid’s health when consumed in moderation. But that is not the only kind of butter available nowadays. Butter can be plant-based as well, derived from nuts and seeds. These butters are an excellent source of nutrition with healthy fats that help lower levels of bad cholesterol in the body. But several children suffer from lactose intolerance or nut allergies. Therefore, it is important to know which kind or types of butter are suitable for your kids, based on their allergies and intolerances. And since butter is a crucial part of the Indian daily diet, it is ideal to get it right. Here is a quick guide to butter and whether it is good for your kid.
Is Butter Good For Your Kids?
Traditional butter is made by churning high-fat milk or cream to separate the fat and buttermilk. It had received a bad name in the previous decades for possessing saturated and trans fats. High levels of the former are unhealthy, while any amount of commercial trans fat is toxic to health. However, the amount of saturated fat and trans fat found in butter is very little, especially when one considers the daily suggested serving of butter. Similarly, butter also possesses some monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats which are good for health and improve absorption of vitamins and minerals. But butter has cleared its name in nutrition in recent times due to its multiple nutrients. Animal-based butter contains butyric acid (found mainly in cow, sheep, and goat’s milk) which reduces digestive inflammation and has been used to treat Crohn’s disease. It also contains conjugated linoleic acid which aids in weight loss and offers protection from certain cancers, in small doses. Butter also possesses abundant amounts of vitamin A, vitamin B12, vitamin D, and vitamin K, all of which offer multiple health benefits to your kid’s body. The health benefits include improving bone health, aiding blood clotting factors, and enhancing the immune system, among others. However, since it is rich in fats, butter should not exceed more than a 30-gm serving in a day, with minimal oil used in other foods for the rest of the day. Therefore, while animal-based butter is good for health in small quantities, it is better to explore other kinds of butter for daily use.
Types Of Plant-Based Butter To Incorporate Into Your Kid’s Diet
Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is the most affordable nut butter of the lot and is the quintessential nut butter for Indian households. Those with tree nut allergies can chomp on their peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in peace as they are technically legumes. Rich in protein, fatty acids, vitamin E, potassium, and magnesium, peanut butter is highly versatile, going well with sweet and savory foods across cultures and kitchens.
Almond Butter
Slightly runnier, lightly sweet, yet golden in color and nutrients, almond butter is great for your kid’s heart with its rich levels of unsaturated fats, fiber, and vitamin E. Protein enthusiasts can rejoice as this nut butter scores high in this area as well. Its thin consistency makes it perfect for frizzling over fruit nachos, smoothies, fruit-laden toasts, and overnight oats.
Pistachio Butter
Green and gorgeous is the result of all-natural pistachio butter. All you need is a blender or processor, some water, and good-quality pistachios at home. Pistachio butter works like magic when lowering blood pressure, lowering stress, controlling sugar levels, and improving skin quality, thanks to its rich levels of fiber, vitamin E, protein, monounsaturated fatty acids, and copper.
Pumpkin Seed Butter
Brimming with zinc, iron, magnesium, protein, and healthy unsaturated fats, pumpkin seed butter has a unique earthy flavor and can be seasoned well to make a tasty dip for sliced vegetables, ragi crackers, or fruit slices for children.
Sunflower Seed Butter
Sunflower seed butter is the solution for kids with peanut, sesame, and tree nut allergies. Rich in selenium, magnesium, and vitamins B and E, sunflower seed butter tastes great when paired with some sandwiches, fruit salads, soups, or used as a dip or dressing.
Sesame Seed Butter
Sesame seed butter, also known as tahini in Middle Eastern countries, is a rich butter with an earthy, creamy texture. Replete with iron, calcium, protein, and healthy fats, sesame seed butter is great for your kids, especially when used to make hummus, salad dressings, dips, or spreads for sandwiches.
Conclusion
Butter is good for your kid’s health when consumed in moderation. Compared to animal-based protein, nut butters offer a larger variety of nutrients but come with an expensive price tag. As long as you monitor and ensure your kids maintain portion control, animal and plant-based butters do good for your kid’s health.
The views expressed are that of the expert alone.
