Saturated Fat

• Butter has about 7 g of saturated fat per teaspoon, while Country Crock only has 1.5 g. Saturated fat raises blood cholesterol levels and may increase the risk of heart disease.

Cholesterol

• Butter contains cholesterol; Country Crock does not. Although some people can consume cholesterol without raising blood cholesterol levels dramatically, it can be a problem for many people. One tsp. of butter contains 30 mg of cholesterol, or 10 percent to 15 percent of the recommended daily value.

Trans Fat

• The main concern with margarine is that it can contain trans fat, which can raise bad cholesterol and lower good cholesterol. The classic Country Crock is trans-fat free, which means there is less than 0.5 g of trans fat per serving. Butter has no trans fat.

Types

• Country Crock is available in several varieties, including Regular, Light, Spreadable Butter, Omega Plus and Calcium plus Vitamin D. Their nutrition facts may differ from those listed above.

Expert Insight

• Margarine is recommended over butter as a more heart-healthy choice, according to the Cleveland Clinic Miller Family Heart & Vascular Institute. However, it is OK to have a teaspoon of butter a few times a month as part of a healthy diet.