Debate vs. Butter 46 Everyday Families Prove That Margarine Is The Best Tablespread (NAPSA)—For consumers who have agonized over whether to select margarine or butter, the debate is finally over. A revolutionary study published recently in the prestigious Journal of the American Medical Association proves that switching to margarine from butter can lower your entire family’s cholesterol. The study’s 46 families (including 92 parents and 134 children, some as young as six years old) followed either a butter-based or margarine-based diet for five weeks—then switchedto the other diet. Blood cholesterol was checked periodically along with other importantcriteria. The result? Compared to but- ter, the margarine diet significantly lowered LDL (“bad”) cho- lesterol by 11 percent in adults and 9 percent in children. In some cases, the margarine diets low- ered cholesterol levels as much as medication. It’s a well-established fact that reductions in blood choles- terol result in a reduced risk of heart disease. Studies also confirm that risk factors for heart disease begin developing in childhood. So, diet and exercise do matter throughout all stages oflife. “These findings support the advice from leading health profes- sional organizations to substitute softer margarines for butter as part of a heart-healthy diet,” says Beth Hubrich, a dietitian with the National Association of Margarine Manufacturers. “It’s especially important for adults with young children to set a healthful example for good eating in the future.” She adds, “When the children grow up, they will then use this more healthful selection in place of butter.” Whether used as a vegetable topping, a bread spread, or an LemonDijon Pasta Toss % cup margarine or vegetable oil spread Y% cup Dijon mustard 2 cloves garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon lemonjuice 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley Dash black pepper 12 ouncespasta, cooked In saucepan, heat mar- garine, mustard, garlic, lemon juice, parsley and pepperuntil margarine melts and mixture is hot. To serve, toss hot pasta with mustard mixture. Makes 4 servings. Garlic Rosemary Potatoes 4 large potatoes, cut into wedges 1% teaspoonsdried rosemary leaves 1 teaspoon garlic powder 2 tablespoons margarine or vegetable oil spread, melted (or liquid margarine) ingredient for a favorite pasta In large bowl, toss potatoes with rosemary and garlic. On lightly greased baking pan, arrange potatoes in single Just make surethere is enough to heat for 25 to 30 minutes or www.margarine.org. once. Makes4 servings. dish, everyone in the family can feel good about eating margarine. go around. To learn more, visit layer; drizzle with melted margarine. Broil 4-inches from until tender, turning potatoes wee eee ee ee eee ee eee Q,oe eee Note to Editors: Since 1963, the U.S. Congress has mandated that the President issue a proclamation designating February as American Heart Month. The intent is to urge Americansto join the battle against cardiovascular disease—our nation’s No. 1 killer. Research: Denke et al. Individual Cholesterol Variation in Response to a Margarine- or Butter-Based Diet. Journal of the American Medical Association. December6, 2000. Vol. 284. No. 21. 2740-2747.
