I'm thinking of adding coconut oil to my diet. Thoughts?
sh512266
Posts: 60 Member
Hi all, I haven't done much research on this yet so don't knock me! If anyone has any experience/information regarding adding organic virgin coconut oil to their diet and getting positive results I'd be glad to hear about it! Does it help with weight loss as long as you're in a calorie deficit? I'm looking at losing 9 more lbs to get to my goal weight and thinking of adding this to my breakfast protein smoothie. My protein intake is usually 100-115g daily and I weigh 144 lbs at 5"9. I keep my carbs under 50g total. 
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Replies
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My fat intake is typically from eggs, chicken and fish and ranges from 35-80g per day.0
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All of the claims about it are exaggerated. You'll be adding more calories to your day, and that means you have to cut somewhere else.
There are no miracle foods that burn fat.15 -
Does it help with weight loss as long as you're in a calorie deficit?
If you're in a calorie deficit, you can literally eat anything and lose weight.
There are no special benefits of coconut oil. But, if you're looking to add some fats into your diet, adding coconut oil is a good way to do that!
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if you want to add it because you like the taste then go for it..however, it does not speed up weight loss, metabolism, or have any other magical properties...4
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I imagine it would be useful if you required more fat in your diet and wanted to do that by adding a supplement to your meals that was high fat. Or if you liked the taste and wanted to fit it into your caloric goals. Other than those though not sure why you'd actively try to add it to your diet.2
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It's a good, healthy source of fat, but it is still fat. It has been shown in some studies to improve fat oxidation, but I would integrate it in my daily fat intake instead of taking it for any sort of extra fat burning benefits.3
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As has been said, it has no weight loss -inducing properties.
That being said, I find it handy because it's easy to stick the jar on a scale and use a fork to scrape out 7 grams each morning to make eggs.3 -
Ok gotcha, I use olive oil typically to fry eggs or shrimp. I'm doing LCHF, just thinking I could use more healthy fat!0
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I love coconut oil, but it's high in calories and I don't have a lot to spare. I've been using avocado oil lately. It has a high smoking point and fewer calories than coconut or olive oil.2
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fitoverfortymom wrote: »I love coconut oil, but it's high in calories and I don't have a lot to spare. I've been using avocado oil lately. It has a high smoking point and fewer calories than coconut or olive oil.
Aren't all oils/fat 9 calories per gram? How can avocado oil have less calories than other oils?2 -
I love coconut oil in my coffee, along with grass fed organic butter1
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(144-9)*.35 ~ 48g fat per day would be a reasonable fat minimum for your goal weight, so if it is a 35g day, you might want to look for ways to get some more fat for the day. I'd rather add nuts, cheese, avocado or a fat bomb to boost my fat than to just add oil to something (of any type), but it really boils down to what you like best for the calories you have to work with.
ETA: if that's you in the pic, you look great!0 -
If looking for more fats, coconut oil is a great heakthy source. This is especially true if you are looking for the health benefits of ketones because MCTs are turned to ketones very quickly.
I don't know if it helps with weight loss at all but it is very good for you.1 -
It's(obviously )high in fat - saturated fat apparently. I don't know about health claims regarding consuming it,though I find it good for my dry skin. I'm trying to gain weight and use it in a very high calorie banana bread. Not sure if it helps with weight loss1
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Variety is always great, so go for it. A piece of advice: start with one serving a day,and work your way up. Otherwise it may act as a natural laxative.
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(144-9)*.35 ~ 48g fat per day would be a reasonable fat minimum for your goal weight, so if it is a 35g day, you might want to look for ways to get some more fat for the day. I'd rather add nuts, cheese, avocado or a fat bomb to boost my fat than to just add oil to something (of any type), but it really boils down to what you like best for the calories you have to work with.
ETA: if that's you in the pic, you look great!
Thanks for the info! It is me in the picture - so thanks!0 -
I'm quite sure it was one of those foods that people think is healthy but nutritionists don't agree with.2
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fitoverfortymom wrote: »I love coconut oil, but it's high in calories and I don't have a lot to spare. I've been using avocado oil lately. It has a high smoking point and fewer calories than coconut or olive oil.
It doesn't have lower calories.2 -
Coconut oil does wonders for your skin; I use it as a moisturizer. I ate it for a while...no benefits whatsoever4
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I like it in some recipes, but that is because the flavor fits a little better. Sometimes like it more for a stir fry or with curry a little more than other oils, but that is just being really picky, other oils still work well.0
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Doesn't help with weight loss and the one time I put it in my skin I got huge boils.3
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Hi all, I haven't done much research on this yet so don't knock me! If anyone has any experience/information regarding adding organic virgin coconut oil to their diet and getting positive results I'd be glad to hear about it! Does it help with weight loss as long as in a calorie deficit? I'm looking at losing 9 more lbs to get to my goal weight and thinking of adding this to my breakfast protein smoothie. My protein intake is usually 100-115g daily and I weigh 144 lbs at 5"9. I keep my carbs under 50g total.
I switched to coconut oil years ago (only dietary change at the time) and in six months my cholesterol went from bad to near perfect. I also have found that when I consume it a couple times a week my digestive health improves. My doctor and dietician both agree it's a better choice than olive oil or salad dressings, and despite the Big Bad Sat label I have yet to come across any study that suggests moderate consumption will kill you. It's by no means a cure-all, but if you're paying attention to your overall calorie and fat consumption it's not going to hurt you.5 -
Nutritionist here!
There is very strong scientific evidence that healthy fats:
Cardiovascular protection (though there is less evidence for protecting against heart failure)
Improve body composition
Alleviate depression
Average evidence that they:
Prevent cancers
Preserve memory
Preserve eye health
Reduce incidence of aggressive behaviour
Reduce ADHD and ADD symptoms
Coconut oil is high in medium chain fatty acids which do offer health benefits. It also has a long shelf life.
As long as you are getting a good balance of saturated,(which coconut oil is, but remember, also unique because of the medium chain fatty acids) mono-saturated and poly-saturated fats, you will be fine.
Portion control is key!
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Hi all, I haven't done much research on this yet so don't knock me! If anyone has any experience/information regarding adding organic virgin coconut oil to their diet and getting positive results I'd be glad to hear about it! Does it help with weight loss as long as you're in a calorie deficit? I'm looking at losing 9 more lbs to get to my goal weight and thinking of adding this to my breakfast protein smoothie. My protein intake is usually 100-115g daily and I weigh 144 lbs at 5"9. I keep my carbs under 50g total.
Won't do a thing...1 -
fitoverfortymom wrote: »I love coconut oil, but it's high in calories and I don't have a lot to spare. I've been using avocado oil lately. It has a high smoking point and fewer calories than coconut or olive oil.
It doesn't have lower calories.
I swore it did. I must be the worst label reader ever, or wasn't paying attention to the units properly on the label. I stand corrected.0 -
In other news, I will be using coconut oil tonight. I do still love avocado oil because it has a high smoking point, unlike olive oil. 2
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Victoria2448 wrote: »Nutritionist here!
There is very strong scientific evidence that healthy fats:
Cardiovascular protection (though there is less evidence for protecting against heart failure)
Improve body composition
Alleviate depression
Average evidence that they:
Prevent cancers
Preserve memory
Preserve eye health
Reduce incidence of aggressive behaviour
Reduce ADHD and ADD symptoms
Coconut oil is high in medium chain fatty acids which do offer health benefits. It also has a long shelf life.
As long as you are getting a good balance of saturated,(which coconut oil is, but remember, also unique because of the medium chain fatty acids) mono-saturated and poly-saturated fats, you will be fine.
Portion control is key!
How does dietary fat improve body composition?
OP, if you are having a low carb diet, then dietary fat generally is increased. IIRC, coconut oils/drinks are high in electrolytes which are beneficial.2 -
Victoria2448 wrote: »Nutritionist here!
There is very strong scientific evidence that healthy fats:
Cardiovascular protection (though there is less evidence for protecting against heart failure)
Improve body composition
Alleviate depression
Average evidence that they:
Prevent cancers
Preserve memory
Preserve eye health
Reduce incidence of aggressive behaviour
Reduce ADHD and ADD symptoms
Coconut oil is high in medium chain fatty acids which do offer health benefits. It also has a long shelf life.
As long as you are getting a good balance of saturated,(which coconut oil is, but remember, also unique because of the medium chain fatty acids) mono-saturated and poly-saturated fats, you will be fine.
Portion control is key!
do you have any source material that coconut oil increase body comp? Are you saying if I just eat coconut oil and do nothing else I will improve my body composition?
Also, curious as to literature on it reducing ADD and AHDD and how it prevents cancers....3 -
Victoria2448 wrote: »Nutritionist here!
There is very strong scientific evidence that healthy fats:
Cardiovascular protection (though there is less evidence for protecting against heart failure)
Improve body composition
Alleviate depression
Average evidence that they:
Prevent cancers
Preserve memory
Preserve eye health
Reduce incidence of aggressive behaviour
Reduce ADHD and ADD symptoms
Coconut oil is high in medium chain fatty acids which do offer health benefits. It also has a long shelf life.
As long as you are getting a good balance of saturated,(which coconut oil is, but remember, also unique because of the medium chain fatty acids) mono-saturated and poly-saturated fats, you will be fine.
Portion control is key!
Those are some bold claims...
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