Earth Balance - 100 calories/tablespoon

[Artichoke47]

There must be some mistake! I've gone without margarine since I stopped eating animals products about 4 months ago, but the last time I was at the store, I stopped to look at the Earth Balance vegan margarine tub, and imagine my surprise at the amount of calories per serving! What's the deal? Do you guys use this? Are there any lower-calorie alternatives?

When I was a lacto-ovo, I used I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Fat-Free, which had 5 calories a serving (one tablespoon). Big difference, huh?

I don't need butter by any means. I was just curious. :)

[Kreeli]

the difference is that those spreads like "I Can't Believe It's Not Butter Fat-Free" are mostly water! Most fats average out to about 100 cals a tbsp, no matter what the are. canola, olive, corn, peanut oil, full-fat margarines...all 100 cals a tbsp.

[Artichoke47]

I can eat 2 cups of strawberries for that amount of calories! :(

Thanks, Kreeli!

[missleigh]

I love the flavor of Earth Balance! It's worth it to me to have a nice, buttery taste. I just try not to use heaps of it all the time.

[Kreeli]

i really don't think that eating a couple of tbsp of earth balance is going to do any harm. though the strawberries sound grand! :)

[Artichoke47]

Do you want some? :lick:

[Artichoke47]

I'm sorry. I've been up for too many hours. I will share my strawberries, though, if you'd like!

[Kreeli]

oh, thank you! i'd love some.

but...strawberries? in january? in indiana? that's odd. ;)

[V3gan]

i havent had a strawberry since august... sometimes being in canada has its set- backs....

[Artichoke47]

Wild Oats has them. They are $5.99 per container (I think it's a quart), but totally worth it!!! :up:

[veggrl]

I dont count calories anymore. In fact most days, I get too few calories, so 100 calories extra is good.

[MrsKey]

I love the flavor of Earth Balance! It's worth it to me to have a nice, buttery taste. I just try not to use heaps of it all the time.

I have found that because the Earth Balance tastes better and has a stronger flavour that I use far less of it than I do any other butter substitute or butter.

I don't use it often - but when I do I simply keep in mind that I'm eating a high calorie food and govern myself accordingly.

And I've noticed that the low-cal spreads like ICBINB contain enough chemicals and hydrogenated fats (read transfatty acids) to make the calories saved an afterthought to the other crap you're consuming.

Like RuthieB said the average fat is about 100 cal/tbsp.

[Kreeli]

Like RuthieB said the average fat is about 100 cal/tbsp.

nope, that was me. :D

[Gracie]

I don't think 100 calories per TB is that bad. A tablespoon of margarine is a LOT of marg to me, and 100 calories isn't that much. Unless you're trying to restrict calories, that is, and then you would want to choose food less calorie-dense than margarine.

But, if you're used to low-cal, reduced fat spread, I guess it would seem like an awful lot of calories!

[bluegrrrl79]

That's why I never use margerine unless I have to (in baking).

[Artichoke47]

There are many substitutes for margarine in baking, such as applesauce, prune puree, and liquid sweetener, like Fruitsource.

[mushroom]

Many oils in my cupboard say 120 cal per Tablespoon...

[ebola]

On a by-volume basis, oil tends to have more calories than butter or margarine.

Earth Balance kicks ass...tastes much better than typical hydrogenated margarine.

[kpickell]

that's not bad, I only use 3 or 4 servings on each baked potato.

[Artichoke47]

Hehe. Always out to make us laugh, KPickell.

[kerouac]

I was going to make another thread on other brands of margarine but it seems like all the talk is being done here :D

My HFS just stopped selling Earth Balance (don't ask me why, I thought everyone bought it since it was always sold out) so I bought a brand called "Shedd's Willow Run" which is all vegetable. I just tried it out and it is pretty good. Tastes just like Earth Balance.

On the other than, I can't stand Spectrum. Its the bloody nastiest vegan food I have ever tasted (and there aren't many of those). Ick. Its like its jellied or something, and won't melt.

OK done complaining. :D

[mushroom]

Earth Balance's Buttery Sticks don't taste nearly as good as the stuff in the tub...

[scareyvegan]

i love willow run

its sticks so... much much easier for baking
and it tastes the same as earth balance the same as butter...

[kerouac]

:up: for Willow Run

I read somewhere that it was made by the same people who make Country Crock Spread (or a sub-company or something)...but I can't seem to find any information on that. Anyone know about this?

[MrsKey]

nope, that was me. :D

Sorry Kreeli! My apologies!