Anyone here use Becel?

[Joanna]

I almost hesitate to ask. I did a search on all the forums and there were only seven hits -- the general opinion seemed to be that Becel was part of the great drug company conspiracy to kill us all. But it can't be THAT bad, can it?

I've used butter for years. Everything I've read indicates that because margarine is such a manufactured food it is much harder for your body to deal with, and of course the ones with trans fats are downright bad for you.

But after reading the SBD, I'm confused all over again. While it doesn't seem to recommend margaerine, it doesn't recommend butter either.

Anybody have any feelings on this?

Joanna

[Petey]

Joanna, i'm in the same boat as you. thats why i bought a bottle of extra virgin olive oil. you can never go wrong with it. whenever you have to ask yourself the question: "Butter, or margerine?" the answer is olive oil.

[CakkyDoodl]

I really don't care much about butter so I haven't looked, but I wonder if there are spreads out there made out of good oils...

[rosarugosa]

I know what you mean about confusion. I know that most margarines are bad because of the trans fats. I have not found any of the 'healthful' spreads (- transfat free that have a taste IMO). I think when I am finished with phase 1 I will go back to what I have used on other low carb plans -- a mixture of olive oil and butter.

I let a stick of butter 1/4th lb.) set out to soften then mix about 1/3 cup of EVOO (extra virgin olive oil) together then whip with mixer and place in a container. I leave it on the counter in the winter , but in the summer it softens fast if set out( of refrig.) awhile before using to a spreadable consistency. I feel it is a nice compromise even for SBD the later stages for myself. Phase 1 is teaching me that I can live without butter , be satieated , and lose weight . I think too much saturated fats was keeping me from losing (on other plans) , although not gaining very much back. I know after awhile though I will have to have some.

I think everyone's sense of taste is different, and after a good start (which phase one is) we have to customize any plan for success eventually.

[doreen T]

There was a discussion in the General Low Carb forum recently about Smart Balance non-hydrogenated margarine :idea: .. you might want to check that out .. http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=157826
But after reading the SBD, I'm confused all over again. While it doesn't seem to recommend margaerine, it doesn't recommend butter either.
South Beach's stance against saturated fat is based on studies done in the 80's and 90's which showed that cholesterol levels rose when saturated fat was eaten .. but the diets were also high in carbs and insulin levels were elevated. This is the typical insulin resistance picture. However, more recent published research has shown that saturated fat can actually improve cholesterol levels, when consumed as part of a carb-restricted diet. So the choice to consume or avoid saturated fats really just boils down to personal preference.

As long as you're following the program as written, controlling your carb intake, choosing the lowest glycemic carbs and using the allowed fats, oils and meats liberally, then you should have good success. :rose:

hth,

Doreen