Lets talk Coconut

OH NO – Coconut has fat!

“I’m on a low-fat diet, I can’t eat that!” I have heard this so many times. Lets face it with so many books out there on low-fat diets I can see the fear of eating something that naturally has fat. But the body uses natural fats differently than synthetic fats. Our bodies are made to break it down and use it as fuel. Of course too much of anything can be harmful, so consult your nutritionist, Doctor, or whom ever helps you with your diet before jumping on any band wagon. I’m just going to talk about the benefits I have had with changing some of my habits to Coconut items, my personal opinion.

I’m not a huge fan of cows milk, I use to drink it as a child and then as I became an adult unless it had chocolate in it, not a fan. However the real reason I started looking into different types of milk was for Brent, he was having some indigestion problems, and it seemed to get worse when he would consume dairy. My digestive system doesn’t handle soy milks very well, so we went through rice, almond, and pretty much all the other types out there. As I was surfing the web one night I came across an article about Coconut milk, my first thought was eew that nasty stuff that comes out of a coconut? So I kept searching and came across So Delicious brand.

But not the dairy alternative, the Ice Cream. OOOOOOOh it was so good. Then found out they made a Milk Alternative. So we gave it a whirl. I was pleasantly surprised at the texture and flavor, it was really good and tasted good in cold cereal and as chocolate milk. Not only did it taste good but after about 3 weeks and a few dietary changes, Brent noticed that his indigestion was reduced. So being the research nerd I am, I hit the net and started to discover all sorts of benefits that coconut has for the entire body. Now I use it in my daily smoothies and in my post workout shake, plus I usually add a spoonful in when I have had a hard workout.

Here is a list of health benefits and if you click on the link below the list, you will find more interesting facts from the site. ( the list is from the site)If you have PCOS take note of the items highlighted in teal!

• Kills viruses that cause influenza, herpes, measles, hepatitis C, SARS, AIDS, and other illnesses.
• Kills bacteria that cause ulcers, throat infections, urinary tract infections, gum disease and cavities, pneumonia, and gonorrhea, and other diseases.
• Kills fungi and yeasts that cause candidiasis, ringworm, athlete’s foot, thrush, diaper rash, and other infections.
• Expels or kills tapeworms, lice, giardia, and other parasites.
• Provides a nutritional source of quick energy.
• Boosts energy and endurance, enhancing physical and athletic performance.
• Improves digestion and absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, and amino acids.
• Improves insulin secretion and utilization of blood glucose.
• Relieves stress on pancreas and enzyme systems of the body.
• Reduces symptoms associated with pancreatitis.
• Helps relieve symptoms and reduce health risks associated with diabetes.
• Reduces problems associated with malabsorption syndrome and cystic fibrosis.
• Improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth.
• Helps protect against osteoporosis.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with gallbladder disease.
• Relieves symptoms associated with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and stomach ulcers.
• Improves digestion and bowel function.
• Relieves pain and irritation caused by hemorrhoids.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Supports tissue healing and repair.
• Supports and aids immune system function.
• Helps protect the body from breast, colon, and other cancers.
• Is heart healthy; improves cholesterol ratio reducing risk of heart disease.
• Protects arteries from injury that causes atherosclerosis and thus protects against heart disease.
• Helps prevent periodontal disease and tooth decay.
• Functions as a protective antioxidant.
• Helps to protect the body from harmful free radicals that promote premature aging and degenerative disease.
• Does not deplete the body’s antioxidant reserves like other oils do.
• Improves utilization of essential fatty acids and protects them from oxidation.
• Helps relieve symptoms associated with chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Relieves symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (prostate enlargement).
• Reduces epileptic seizures.
• Helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infections.
• Dissolves kidney stones.
• Helps prevent liver disease.
• Is lower in calories than all other fats.
• Supports thyroid function.
• Promotes loss of excess weight by increasing metabolic rate.
• Is utilized by the body to produce energy in preference to being stored as body fat like other dietary fats.
• Helps prevent obesity and overweight problems.
• Applied topically helps to form a chemical barrier on the skin to ward of infection.
• Reduces symptoms associated the psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis.
• Supports the natural chemical balance of the skin.
• Softens skin and helps relieve dryness and flaking.
• Prevents wrinkles, sagging skin, and age spots.
• Promotes healthy looking hair and complexion.
• Provides protection from damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation from the sun.
• Helps control dandruff.
• Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do.
• Has no harmful or discomforting side effects.
• Is completely non-toxic to humans

COCONUT RESEARCH

I was beside myself when I first read this list! How exciting. There are so many coconut products on the market, it can be baffling as to what is good and what is not, as a rule of thumb for me if it has a lot of ingredients then it is more than likely synthetic.

I have eczema and can usually use the topical medications for a while until I become immune to them and have to try something else. I have tried everything under the sun, including sitting for an hour wrapped in a mud concoction that the lady swore she had healed others with eczema. after sitting cold for an hour and having it removed with hot towels she said dont shower til tonight,, you have got to be kidding me.. but ok.  ooh I was so itchy and it was driving me mad, so I called her and she said oh thats normal. Ok I am in the skin care biz and somethings are normal and some are soooo not. This was soooo not. I jumped in the shower only to find that it had spread. now I had more eczema to contend with  and I was itchy. Wish I had had Coconut oil back then.  Now I use it just as my skin is breaking out in the itch and it seems to soothe it and if I catch it in time can keep it from rashing.

After removing most sugar from my daily diet, and I say most because I still consume fruit and raw sugar, I noticed my taste buds became much more aware of what I was eating. Imagine that, I could taste my food! I decided to give coconut water from the actual fruit, another try, off to Whole foods I went and picked up a thai coconut and took it home – I had them pre-cut it for me so I didn’t hurt myself in the process. (You may know this but when you open a coconut the water inside should be clear and smell fresh, if it is pink or purple take it back it is old and no good.) I took a sip of that crisp clear water and was excited by the clean sweet taste. It has now become a part of our diet and during the summer I mix it in to my fresh Lemonade. Its not just for drinking, if you buzz through my recipe section you will see how I make Coconut whipping cream from the meat and the water. Simple yet Divine.

With so many health benefits, I try to find new ways to incorporate it.  I have been looking at Coconut Cream or Manna as some labels call it and today I finally found a site that explained it simply. You can use it to replace heavy cream in recipes and many other uses. Of course this blog is all about sharing so here is the link  COCONUT CREAM  This is one of my new favorite sites to browse through, lots of ideas!

My friend Summer ( she is a licensed chef)  made Coconut cupcakes today, she let me come by and take a sneak bite of one. She used canned coconut milk and coconut flakes. it was so light and moist. I very much enjoyed it.

Do I ever get sick of the taste of coconut?, you may ask. Not really. If done right sometimes the flavor doesn’t come through or it is very subtle.

Hope you found this to be helpful or at least interesting!

 

Here is a list of books that may be helpful:

Coconut Miracle

Coconut Cures

Eat Fat, Look Thin

All by Bruce Fife who is the worlds leading expert on coconut and health.