To avoid burning, melt butter on low temperature settings and watch carefully. First, the best way to thaw or soften butter is to transfer it from the freezer to the refrigerator, or remove it from the refrigerator to let it soften at room temperature. But if you put it in the microwave for a few seconds to soften and it overmelts, use it for something else such as flavoring vegetables, as a dip, or try whipping it once it re-solidifies to use as a table spread, then refrigerate it immediately and use promptly. Make sure to soften a fresh stick of butter for baking to achieve the right texture. While there is evidence that saturated fat in the diet can raise blood cholesterol levels, a risk factor for heart disease, genetics play a strong role in determining an individual's blood cholesterol response to diet.
All foods can fit into a heart healthy diet when consumed in moderation.
Butter contains only 4 grams of fat, 2.5 grams of saturated fat per teaspoon, and can easily fit into the daily value of 65 grams of fat and 20 grams of saturated fat recommended for individuals consuming a 2,000-calorie per day diet. Butter, like all foods, can be incorporated into a healthful and moderate diet. One of the key principles of eating right is making sure your diet is balanced with a wide variety of foods. Because butter is so flavorful, a little goes a long way toward enhancing food taste and texture. Many of these substitutes require regular usage to obtain any benefit.