Smart balance butter is a delicious, buttery spread alternative made from vegetable oils. This spread can be used to replace butter in any recipe or dish where you would use butter. Technically, all Smart Balance spreads are vegan but not intentionally. All spreads made by Smart Balance are dairy and gluten-free. However, most of its flavors contain vitamin D sourced from lanolin or sheep’s wool, making these spreads unsuitable for vegans.
Smart Balance is not considered vegan. All varieties contain D3, which is derived from lanolin, or sheep’s wool oil. Additionally, many flavors contain palm oil, which some strict vegans may avoid. The best vegan and healthier alternative to Smart Balance is Miyoko’s Creamery Vegan Butter. Other vegan alternatives include Pure Blends Avocado Oil Spread and Earth Balance Buttery Spread.
In this article, we will discuss what makes Smart Balance vegan or non-vegan, in addition to offering healthier and vegan alternatives to Smart Balance spreads. Let’s dig in!
Contents
Questionable Ingredients
Though all Smart Balance flavors are dairy-free, this does not make them vegan. A few flavors are vegan while some are not. Let’s look at some of the ingredients that may be somewhat questionable and pose an issue.
The questionable ingredients include palm oil, natural and artificial flavors, vitamin D, and lactic acid.
- Palm oil: while considered vegan, some vegans do not consume this oil for ethical reasons.
- Vitamin D: most of which is added to food, is not vegan. It is usually sourced from lanolin which is derived from sheep’s wool.
- Natural and artificial flavors: these are not always vegan-friendly. In this case, however, we can assume all flavors are dairy-free. Lactic acid may sound like it comes from milk, but it is, in fact, vegan.
Which Smart Balance Flavors are Vegan?
Certain Smart Balance flavors are indeed vegan-friendly, depending on how you feel about palm oil. These flavors include Smart Balance Light with flaxseed oil and Smart Balance Organic. Both varieties include palm oil, so these would be suitable vegan options if you’re okay with palm oil.
Smart Balance Varieties
Smart Balance spreads come in a variety of flavors. As mentioned earlier, some are vegan-friendly, and others are not. With their use of zero hydrogenated or partially hydrogenated oils, they contain no trans fat.
Additionally, the spreads contain extra nutritional support from omega-3s, vitamins, calcium, and protein. Read further to find out the nutritional information about the Smart Balances’ most popular spreads. Their buttery spreads contain a unique natural blend of polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and saturated fats designed to improve the ratio of good (HDL) cholesterol and bad (LDL) cholesterol.
Original Smart Balance
The signature flavor of Smart Balance buttery spreads, an excellent replacement for butter in any recipe or dish- baked or cooked. This spread supports healthy cholesterol levels that are already within the normal range.
Ingredients:
- Vegetable Oil Blend (Canola, Palm, and Olive Oils)
- Water
- Pea Protein
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Beta-Carotene (Color)
- Vitamin D
- Monoglycerides of Vegetable Fatty Acids (Emulsifier)
- Potassium Sorbate
- Lactic Acid
- Calcium Disodium EDTA (To Preserve Freshness)
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp., 14g):
- Calories 80
- Total Fat 9g
- Saturated Fat 2.5g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 90mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
Smart Balance Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Ingredients:
- Vegetable Oil Blend (canola, palm, extra virgin olive, and flaxseed oils)
- Water
- Contains Less Than 2% of:
- Salt
- Pea Protein
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Beta Carotene (color)
- Vitamin D
- Monoglycerides of Vegetable Fatty Acids (emulsifier)
- Potassium Sorbate
- Lactic Acid
- TBHQ and calcium Disodium EDTA (to protect freshness)
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp., 14g):
- Calories 60
- Total Fat 7g
- Saturated Fat 2g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 70mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
Smart Balance Low Sodium Whipped
Smart Balance low sodium whipped is a great buttery spread option for folks adhering to low sodium or salt-conscious diet. A great dairy-free alternative to low sodium butter.
Ingredients:
- Oil Blend (canola, palm, olive, and soybean oils)
- Water
- Contains less than 2% of:
- Salt
- Pea Protein
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Vitamin D
- Beta-Carotene Color
- Monoglycerides of Vegetable Fatty Acids (emulsifier)
- Potassium Sorbate
- Lactic Acid
- Calcium Disodium EDTA (to preserve freshness)
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp., 14g):
- Calories 70
- Total Fat 8g
- Saturated Fat 2g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 30mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
Smart Balance Omega-3
A delicious buttery spread option with the added benefits of Omega-3. With the Smart Balance Omega-3, your buttery cravings can be satisfied, all the while supporting healthy cholesterol levels.
Ingredients:
- Water
- Oil Blend (canola, palm, flaxseed, fish, soybean, olive oils)
- Less than 2% of:
- Salt
- Natural and Artificial Flavors
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Beta-Carotene Color
- Vitamin D
- Potassium Sorbate
- Lactic Acid
- TBHQ and Calcium Disodium EDTA (to preserve freshness)
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp., 14g):
- Calories 70
- Total Fat 8g
- Saturated Fat 2.5g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 80mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
Alternatives to Smart Balance
If you are looking for vegan or plant-based alternatives to Smart Balance buttery spreads, then look no further. Here are a few options that are great butter replacements, and both tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your buttery cravings. Not only do these alternatives have cleaner ingredients, they’re healthier for the heart.
Miyoko’s Creamery Vegan Butter
Made for baking, this unsalted European-style butter both tastes and performs like traditional fine dairy butter. The butter is also wrapped in compostable paper.
Ingredients:
- Organic Coconut Oil
- Organic Cultured Cashew Milk (Filtered Water, Organic Cashews, Cultures)
- Filtered Water
- Organic Sunflower Oil
- Contains 2% or less of:
- Organic Sunflower Lecithin
- Organic Cultured Dextrose
- Natural Flavors Derived from Oregano, Flaxseed, and Plums
- Lactic Acid
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp., 14g):
- Calories 90
- Total Fat 10g
- Saturated Fat 8g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 10mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
Pure Blends Avocado Oil Buttery Spread
An avocado-based buttery spread that is both vegan and gluten-free. Providing a good source of Omega 3, this is a great addition to pasta dishes, sautéed vegetables, and more.
Ingredients:
- Purified Water
- Avocado Oil
- Soybean Oil
- Palm Kernel and Palm Oil
- Salt
- Soy Lecithin
- Monoglycerides
- Vinegar
- Natural Flavors
- Vitamin A Palmitate
- Beta Carotene (Color)
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp, 14g):
- Calories 60
- Total Fat 6g
- Saturated Fat 2g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 90mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread
Earth Balance Original Buttery Spread has a creamy, spreadable texture and rich buttery taste. Its texture and rich taste come from a unique blend of oils.
Ingredients:
- Natural Oil Blend (Palm Fruit, Canola, Soybean, Flax and Olive Oils)
- Filtered Water, Contains Less than 2% of:
- Pure Salt
- Natural Flavor (Plant Derived from Corn, No MSG, No Alcohol, No Gluten)
- Pea Protein
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Lactic Acid (Non-Dairy)
- Naturally Extracted Annatto for Color
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp, 14g):
- Calories 100
- Total Fat 11g
- Saturated Fat 3g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 100mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
Forager’s Project Buttery Spread
This plant-based butter alternative has an earthy flavor and a luxurious texture that mocks dairy butter. It is seasoned with a pinch of Peruvian sea salt.
Ingredients:
- Coconut oil
- Sunflower oil
- Water
- Cashews
- Fermented Extract (fermented oregano, fermented flax, fermented plum)
- Cultured Sugar
- Sunflower Lecithin
- Salt
- Yeast (yeast, rice flour, salt)
- Lactic acid (organic)
Nutrition Information (per 1 tbsp, 14g):
- Calories 100
- Total Fat 11g
- Saturated Fat 7g
- Trans Fat 0g
- Cholesterol 0mg
- Sodium 15mg
- Total Carbohydrate 0g
- Protein 0g
Final Thoughts
Smart Balance is a fine choice for butter alternatives. While two of Smart Balance flavors are vegan, healthier plant-based butter alternatives are out there with clean ingredients. I’d recommended these alternatives over Smart Balance personally.
These plant-based buttery spread options can be a heart-healthy butter alternative, especially for sodium-conscious individuals or those with elevated levels.
The main downside to some of the other options mentioned in this article is that they may be hard to find at local grocery stores. However, Earth Balance has become widely available at many grocery stores over the recent years. Next time you’re in the store, look out for the plant-based buttery spreads.
Related Questions
Is Smart Balance dairy and gluten-free?
Yes, Smart Balance is both dairy and gluten-free.
Is Smart Balance plant-based?
Technically, Smart Balance does contain the majority of plant-derived ingredients. It still contains processed ingredients that are not whole food, plant-based, which focuses on whole, unprocessed ingredients. The alternative lists include better plant-based butter options. Forager’s Buttery Spread or Miyoko’s would be the best plant-based option of the ones listed due to its whole-food ingredients.
What is the difference between Smart Balance and Earth Balance?
Both Smart Balance and Earth Balance have similar ingredient profiles. Earth Balance has more of an emphasis on plant-derived ingredients. For example, Smart Balance has natural and artificial flavors, whereas Earth Balance has natural flavors derived from corn.
Does Smart Balance still taste like butter?
Yes, the Original Smart Balance does have a buttery taste to it. It is amongst one of the most popular non-dairy butter spreads.