how bad is butter ghee?

[Derek Dansak]

Ok , suffering from slightly above normal cholesteral i have always watched my intake of butter etc. I have used butter ghee in rice and curry regularly for 2 years. recently i did a test to see how bad it is. as a rule if any margarine, butter or oil product remains solid at room temperature this is how it will stay in your blood and heart. I left a tub of butter ghee in a warm room for 2 days, and was shocked it was still solid. I thought i would post this, for anyone still in doubt as to its health implications. anyone know a healthier substitute, other than veg oil.

[PaulP]

Hi DD,

First off your body is 37 degrees C not room temperature. I used to use virgin organic coconut oil which is normally solid at room temp but melts at about 24 degrees.
I've stopped using this now as it costs too much. (8 quid for half a litre !!).

Butter ghee is more healthy that vegetable ghee as any vegetable oil (apart from coconut) that is solid at room temps almost certainly contains hydrogenated and trans fats which are really are bad for you.

Regarding cholesterol you need not just a total measurement, but measurements for the LDL and HDL cholesterol figures separately. One of these is good and one is bad. Maybe speak to your doctor to get a proper test.

I think the healthiest oils to cook curries with are probably light olive oil and rice bran oil.
I normally use the latter which they sell in Sainsburys for less than 2 quid for half a litre.

Paul.

[chinois]

I have read opinions that are opposite so i cant be sure which are correct. I have read more than one article that said ghee reduces cholesterol and is good for the heart so have a good read of everything you can find before you consult any marketing.

Derek where did you learn your 'rule' from? It sounds pretty dodgy to me!

I've read that indian ghee is made from yoghurt whereas western stuff is made from butter. I dont know enough about dairy to know if that's true or relevant.
I know veg oil and margarine are slated regularly for containing trans-fats. I dont think it's known if they're bad for you yet, but it's suspected.

I've been meaning to try palm oil as lots of african shops around here sell it fairly cheaply. Also the red stuff looks pretty interesting. I'm a fan of reclaimed oil and appreciate the power a flavoured oil can have so maybe red palm oil will contribute something (not necessarily for BIR). It certainly doesnt look tasteless! I'll let you know how i get on.
I found the article below via wikipedia. Also with palm oil there is another factor to take into account - environmental ethics.
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=online&aid=927712

[Derek Dansak]

guys , i really want to continue using butter ghee, so  i will research more. and yes that rule i quoted is from a friend who has very high colesterol due to hereditary issues. so it may be credible. i will check with him again. not buying ghee is going to be tough if i decide to drop it. bhuna without ghee , ouch

[CurryOnRegardless]

Hi DD

Maybe you could try half ghee half rice bran oil, you still get the taste that way. A little ghee is indeed good for you, the body needs some saturated fats, just don't overdo it and try to cut down on the saturates elsewhere, perhaps change to skimmed milk if you haven't already.

Regards
CoR   

[two-sheds]

for members who have high cholesterol and maybe on statin type drugs beware also of creamed coconut its 50%saturated fat !!!!!!!

[JerryM]

DD,

i work on 17g of sat fat per day averaged over the week. it appears at 1st glance quite harsh but once u get into it u find u don't suffer at all. i don't have any butter or marg on sandwiches etc. eggs are another thing to cut down on - almost completely if u can.

one thing i've found is that u really need to pin down where u are getting the sat fat from. at one point i thought it was meat. i went on a chips and pie diet for 6 months and the cholesterol went off the chart.

aim for the big hitters and then use moderation and common sense.

[chinois]

at one point i thought it was meat. i went on a chips and pie diet for 6 months and the cholesterol went off the chart.

nice one!