plant butter vs butter: Protein

plant butter: 0.1 g / 100 g. butter: 0.9 g / 100 g.

plant butter vs butter: Climate impact

plant butter: 3 kg CO₂e / kg. butter: 12 kg CO₂e / kg.

plant butter vs butter: Water use

plant butter: 200 L / kg. butter: 5553 L / kg.

plant butter vs butter: Land use

plant butter: 3 m² / kg. butter: 33 m² / kg.

plant butter vs butter: Saturated fat

plant butter: 22 g / 100 g. butter: 51 g / 100 g.

plant butter vs butter: Fibre

plant butter: 0 g / 100 g. butter: 0 g / 100 g.

Compare

plant butter vs butter

How plant butter 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	plant butter	butter
Protein (g / 100 g)	0.1	0.9
Climate impact (kg CO₂e / kg)	3	12
Water use (L / kg)	200	5553
Land use (m² / kg)	3	33
Saturated fat (g / 100 g)	22	51
Fibre (g / 100 g)	0	0

The verdict

plant butter 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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