Q: I swapped my usual Flora Pro-Activ spread to a soya variety, thinking it’s better for me. Was I right to do so?
It really depends on your particular dietary needs. Flora Pro-Activ has added plant sterols, which help to lower cholesterol. In fact, three daily servings of plant sterols have been clinically proven to lower cholesterol. Soya spreads don’t contain sterols, so if you need to lower your cholesterol, Flora wins here. Bear in mind, though, that Flora Pro-Activ spread costs £1.90 per 250g tub, while a standard soya spread such as Pure Dairy Free Soya Spread costs just £1.50 for a 500g tub. So if you don’t need to lower your cholesterol, buying the cheaper option makes sense.
Cholesterol lowering effects aside, Flora Pro-Activ is made from a mix of vegetable oils and buttermilk, adding up to 35g fat, 8g saturates and 320kcal per 100g. Pure Dairy Free Soya Spread, on the other hand, is a blend of soya oil and palm oil and is less waistline friendly – 100g provides 54g fat, 14.8g saturates and 490kcal.
Levels of vitamins A, D and E are similar between the two brands. However, Pure has added vitamin B12, which is important for people on a vegan diet.
My feeling is that if you don’t need a cholesterol-lowering spread, opt for something cheaper – but check the ingredients label. You may be better off with a reduced fat or ‘light’ olive oil spread, which tend to be lower in calories, fat and saturates