This is one of the fads I approve!! Fun fact: ghee is popular in Indian and Asian cooking!
Ghee is clarified butter that is typically made from cow’s milk. It is made by melting regular butter and separating the liquid fats, casein protein, and milk solids. The milk solids and casein protein are then removed so ghee has less dairy than regular butter. Although any diet usually needs dairy, if you don’t tolerate dairy products well or have an allergy to casein protein, ghee could be a perfect option!
How to know if you suffer from lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance is when someone has difficulty digesting lactose, which is a sugar in milk. Lactose is broken down by enzymes called lactase within the lining of the small intestine. Someone can be lactose intolerant from certain genes that make the lactase enzyme. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include bloating, gas, diarrhea, skin trouble, etc.
What are the good things about ghee?
Ghee contains a fatty acid called butyrate acid that helps the digestive system because it can keep the gut healthy and prevent leaks. (Check out Dr. Josh Axe’s website for more information and benefits on butyrate acid!) And it may also have anti-inflammatory effects.
Ghee can also cook at a higher temperature which means it won’t burn as quickly in a hot pan, it is extremely useful when cooking eggs!! There are many recipes that include ghee as a substitute for butter, here are some examples!
Pan Fried Asparagus - add some lemon for extra flavor!
Butter and ghee have similar nutritional contents. With ghee containing lots of vitamins including Vitamin A, an antioxidant that helps your immune system and skin, Vitamin E, helps damaged skin, decrease toxins, and increases heart health. As well as, Vitamin K which helps bone health and promotes a healthy amount of blood clotting.
Since ghee has been used for a long time, it can be used in a paleo diet!! Unfortunately though, ghee is not vegan due to using cow’s milk.
Rachael DeVaux has said that, “ghee is pretty new to me and my diet and I’m loving it!” She uses it to sauté veggies, spread on toast, and in baking - check out Rachael’s Good Eats for more information!!
Ghee has a slightly more amount of calories and fat than butter but the share similar nutrients and ghee does NOT contain milk sugars or casein protein. Still remember though, ghee is still a form of butter! It is relatively high in saturated fats which can lead to high cholesterol and heart disease but ghee can be a better alternative to butter. Of course, like almost everything, it is good in moderation!
