Read on to learn about how much butter is OK, according to RDs.

Remember I Cant Believe Its Not Butter?

Over the past 40 years, butter has ridden quite the roller coaster in terms of public sentiment.

Back in the 1980s and 90s, anything was better than butter.

We used it so sparingly, it came by the spray bottle and had dozens of margarine peers.

So, is butter healthy?

Or are we just riding a pendulum of popular belief?

Getty Images

What Is Butterand Is It Healthy?

Now that you know what it is and how its made, lets dive into the nutrition.

Is butter healthier than olive oil?

Can small amounts of butter be enjoyed in the context of an overall healthy diet?

Butter is one food that requires nuance when assessing its nutritional value.

However, thats one piece of the puzzle.

No food stands in isolation when it comes to risks or benefits, Harris-Pincus adds.

Just keep in mind that its no magic elixir.

An overall well-rounded menu is key to support a healthy metabolism, Shaw says.

Butter adds a rich flavor that can make eating nutrient-dense foods even more pleasurable.

So besides delivering on the flavor and consistency, how does butter impact the body?

Heres what happens when you eat butter frequently.

This is also true with butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid thats associated withbetter gut health, Caspero continues.

While butter does contain butyrate, your best bet to support your microbiome is to consume ahigh-fiber diet.

Thats not exactly something a tablespoon or two of butter can do.

Ultimately, its about reasonableness and individual needs, Harris-Pincus concludes.

Its also not appropriate for vegan lifestyles.