Smart Balance Light is a popular butter replacement product that is marketed as a healthier alternative to butter and margarine. One of the main selling points of Smart Balance Light is that it is dairy free, making it suitable for people who have dairy allergies or intolerances or are following a vegan diet.
What is Smart Balance Light?
Smart Balance Light is a blend of oils and other ingredients specifically formulated to have a similar taste and texture to butter or margarine, without containing any dairy ingredients. The main ingredients in Smart Balance Light are:
- Soybean oil
- Canola oil
- Olive oil
- Flaxseed oil
- Natural flavor
- Beta carotene for color
- Vitamin A palmitate
- Vitamin D
Unlike regular butter or margarine, Smart Balance Light does not contain any milk proteins, milk fat, butterfat or lactose. It is purely plant-based.
Is Smart Balance Light completely dairy free?
Yes, Smart Balance Light is completely dairy free. It does not contain any milk-derived ingredients like lactose, casein, whey or butterfat. This makes it safe for people with dairy allergies, intolerances or dietary preferences to consume.
On the Smart Balance website, they clearly state that Smart Balance Light is “dairy free” and “lactose free”. The ingredients list does not show any dairy-derived components.
Smart Balance Light is produced in a dedicated dairy-free production facility. Cross-contamination with dairy ingredients during manufacturing is avoided through thorough cleaning protocols and production procedures.
Major allergy associations like Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) confirm that Smart Balance Light is dairy free and safe for people with milk allergies.
So in summary – yes, Smart Balance Light contains absolutely no dairy ingredients and is considered completely dairy free.
Why choose dairy free Smart Balance Light?
Here are some of the main reasons why people specifically choose the dairy free version Smart Balance Light rather than regular butter or margarine:
- Dairy allergy – For people with an allergy or intolerance to dairy ingredients like milk proteins, Smart Balance Light contains no allergens.
- Lactose intolerance – Smart Balance Light is lactose free, as it contains no milk or butterfat.
- Vegan diet – Vegans avoid all animal-derived products, including dairy. Smart Balance Light fits into a vegan diet.
- Plant-based preferences – Some people simply prefer to avoid dairy products and choose plant-based alternatives for personal reasons.
- Nutritional profile – Smart Balance Light is free of cholesterol and contains healthier types of vegetable oils compared to butter.
How does Smart Balance Light compare to butter?
Here is a nutritional comparison between Smart Balance Light and regular salted butter:
| Nutrition Facts | Smart Balance Light | Butter (salted) |
|---|---|---|
| Serving Size | 1 tbsp (14g) | 1 tbsp (14g) |
| Calories | 45 | 100 |
| Total Fat | 5g | 11g |
| Saturated Fat | 1.5g | 7g |
| Cholesterol | 0mg | 30mg |
| Sodium | 50mg | 110mg |
| Carbohydrates | 0g | 0g |
| Protein | 0g | 0g |
The key differences are:
- Smart Balance Light is lower in calories and fat, including saturated fat.
- Smart Balance Light contains no cholesterol, while butter contains 30mg per serving.
- Smart Balance Light is lower in sodium.
The overall nutritional profile of Smart Balance Light is considered healthier compared to regular butter. However, butter provides more richness and flavor.
Does Smart Balance Light contain lactose?
No, Smart Balance Light is completely lactose-free. It does not contain milk, cream, butterfat or any other dairy-derived ingredient.
Lactose is a carbohydrate found exclusively in mammal milk. It is not present in any plant-based oils or fats. Since Smart Balance Light is made entirely from vegetable oils, it is completely lactose-free.
This makes Smart Balance Light suitable for people with lactose intolerance. They can consume Smart Balance Light without experiencing any of the gastrointestinal symptoms associated with lactose intolerance.
Is Smart Balance Light casein free?
Yes, Smart Balance Light is completely casein-free. Casein is a family of milk proteins found in dairy products. As Smart Balance Light contains no dairy ingredients whatsoever, it does not contain casein.
People with milk allergies need to avoid casein, as it is one of the proteins that can trigger an allergic reaction. Smart Balance Light is safely casein-free, making it suitable for people with casein or overall milk protein allergy.
Does Smart Balance Light contain whey?
No, Smart Balance Light does not contain any whey proteins. Whey is another type of milk protein found in dairy products. Since Smart Balance Light does not contain any dairy ingredients, it is whey free.
Those with whey protein allergy can safely consume Smart Balance Light without risk of an allergic reaction. It meets all dietary restrictions for dairy free, lactose free, casein free and whey free diets.
Is Smart Balance Light suitable for vegans?
Yes, Smart Balance Light is 100% suitable for people following a vegan diet. Vegans avoid consuming any animal derived ingredients, including all dairy products.
Smart Balance Light contains completely plant-based ingredients from vegetable oil sources. It does not contain any animal products or byproducts. Major vegan organizations have approved Smart Balance Light as meeting vegan dietary standards.
Smart Balance Light gives vegans a convenient, spreadable butter replacement to use on bread, vegetables, popcorn or anywhere else butter would be used. The dairy free nature of Smart Balance Light makes it an essential item for vegan grocery shopping.
Does Smart Balance Light contain animal products?
No, Smart Balance Light does not contain any animal derived ingredients. There are no milk, egg or meat products used during the manufacturing of Smart Balance Light.
The oils used (soybean, canola, olive, flaxseed) are all vegetable derived. The beta carotene for color is sourced from plants. And the vitamins A and D are synthetic versions not taken from animal sources.
Smart Balance Light is also not made using any animal derivatives, byproducts or processing aids. It is 100% plant based and animal free.
Is Smart Balance Light gluten free?
Yes, Smart Balance Light is certified gluten free. It does not contain any wheat, rye, barley or other gluten-containing ingredients.
The oils, flavorings and vitamins used to produce Smart Balance Light are naturally gluten free. And it is manufactured in a dedicated gluten free facility to prevent cross-contamination.
Smart Balance Light is considered safe for people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten sensitivity. It can be part of a gluten free diet.
However, as with any product, it is always advisable for those with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity to double check the label for any changes in ingredients or manufacturing notices.
Is Smart Balance Light kosher?
Yes, Smart Balance Light is certified kosher pareve. It has kosher symbol approval from OK Kosher Certification.
This means it meets the strict dietary standards of kosher law, and is acceptable for consumption by those following a kosher diet. As Smart Balance Light contains no dairy ingredients, it is classified as “pareve” meaning it contains no meat or dairy.
Is Smart Balance Light peanut free?
Yes, Smart Balance Light is peanut free. It does not contain peanuts, peanut oil or peanut derivatives.
This makes Smart Balance Light safe for people with peanut allergy. It can be work into a peanut free diet.
However, like any product, there is a small risk of cross-contamination during manufacturing. People with severe peanut allergy should always check labeling for latest allergen information.
Is Smart Balance Light soy free?
No, Smart Balance Light is not soy free. Soybean oil is one of the main ingredients used to produce Smart Balance Light.
People with soy allergy will need to avoid consuming Smart Balance Light, as it does contain soy. There are some soy free butter replacements on the market that may be suitable alternatives.
Is Smart Balance Light tree nut free?
Smart Balance Light does not contain any tree nut derived ingredients, and is not made on equipment that processes tree nuts.
However, the manufacturing facility is not guaranteed as completely tree nut free. So there is a small chance of cross-contamination.
For those with severe tree nut allergies, it is best to contact the Smart Balance customer relations team directly to check latest manufacturing protocols before consuming.
Is Smart Balance Light safe for children?
Yes, Smart Balance Light can safely be given to children. Since it contains no major common allergens like dairy, peanuts or eggs, Smart Balance Light is less likely to cause allergic reactions in children.
The vegetable oils in Smart Balance Light also provide healthy fats needed for child growth and development. Many parents use Smart Balance Light as a dairy free alternative to regular butter on bread, vegetables, etc for their kids.
Of course, it is always wise to consult a pediatrician first before introducing new foods, especially for very young children with food sensitivities.
Does Smart Balance Light have trans fats?
No, Smart Balance Light does not contain any trans fats or partially hydrogenated oils.
Originally when introduced in the 1990s, Smart Balance did contain some trans fats from partially hydrogenated soybean oil. However after extensive criticism and increasing evidence of the harmfulness of trans fats, the company reformulated the product.
Since 2007, Smart Balance Light has been trans fat free. It now uses a blend of natural non-hydrogenated liquid oils to create the buttery texture while avoiding trans fats.
Conclusion
In summary:
- Smart Balance Light contains absolutely no dairy ingredients, making it dairy free, lactose free and casein free.
- It is suitable for vegans and vegetarians, as it contains no animal products.
- Smart Balance Light is gluten free and kosher certified.
- It is made without peanuts but does contain soybean oil.
- Smart Balance Light has no trans fats and provides a healthier plant-based alternative to regular butter.
Smart Balance Light meets a wide range of dietary needs, especially for those avoiding dairy. It provides the creamy, spreadable qualities of butter without any milk-derived components. For people with dairy allergies, lactose intolerance or eating a vegan diet, Smart Balance Light is an optimal substitute for butter or margarine in recipes, baking and general use.
