olive oil vs butter: Protein

olive oil: 0 g / 100 g. butter: 0.9 g / 100 g.

olive oil vs butter: Climate impact

olive oil: 6 kg CO₂e / kg. butter: 12 kg CO₂e / kg.

olive oil vs butter: Water use

olive oil: 1400 L / kg. butter: 5553 L / kg.

olive oil vs butter: Land use

olive oil: 26 m² / kg. butter: 33 m² / kg.

olive oil vs butter: Saturated fat

olive oil: 14 g / 100 g. butter: 51 g / 100 g.

olive oil vs butter: Fibre

olive oil: 0 g / 100 g. butter: 0 g / 100 g.

Compare

olive oil vs butter

How olive oil and butter compare on protein, climate impact, water use, land use, saturated fat and fibre — with a clear verdict.

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The numbers

The numbers	olive oil	butter
Protein (g / 100 g)	0	0.9
Climate impact (kg CO₂e / kg)	6	12
Water use (L / kg)	1400	5553
Land use (m² / kg)	26	33
Saturated fat (g / 100 g)	14	51
Fibre (g / 100 g)	0	0

The verdict

olive oil is the better everyday choice. It uses less land and water and carries a smaller carbon footprint than butter, while covering the same role on the plate. If protein density is your priority, adjust portion size rather than going back to butter.

Sources: Poore & Nemecek (Science, 2018), FAO, USDA FoodData Central, Mekonnen & Hoekstra (2011).

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