Coconut oil?

bigredhearts
bigredhearts Posts: 428
edited November 2024 in Food and Nutrition
Interested in trying it (for many other reasons than just diet) but am looking for the best brand. Any suggestions?

Replies

  • bumping my own post in hopes i might recieve some suggestions :smile:
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
    If you are looking for the health benefits of coconut oil, then get extra virgin. Also, heating it breaks down the molecular structure therefore negating the benefits you are looking for. Start with vitacost.com. They have a good selection
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
    Not sure where you live - Here in New Zealand I use the Ceres Organic Brand - Extra Virgin......
    I would be happy to use any of the Extra Virgin Brands that they stock at my local Organic Store.....
  • do you mean heat it for cooking? or in general? and thank you!
  • becoming_a_new_me
    becoming_a_new_me Posts: 1,860 Member
    do you mean heat it for cooking? or in general? and thank you!

    Heating it in general...if you want to use it as a supplement for the health benefits, use a capsule. If you want to use it for cooking, use a low heat.
  • khrystyna82
    khrystyna82 Posts: 45 Member
    As long as it is extra virgin and cold pressed,I don't think it matters on the brand but most are around the $8 mark. I use it as a hair mask and skin lotion plus the cooking aspect. Its amazing stuff.
  • supertracylynn
    supertracylynn Posts: 1,338 Member
    My doc said it would be good as a personal lubricant.
  • angelasmith230
    angelasmith230 Posts: 70 Member
    I use Spectrum organic coconut oil. I have seen it sold in most supermarkets.. I like it so far .. not sure about any other brands
  • Elleinnz
    Elleinnz Posts: 1,661 Member
    do you mean heat it for cooking? or in general? and thank you!

    I use it for cooking, as well as in my coffee, green tea (I know it sounds terrible), I am doing Paleo, so not eating dairy at the moment, so I need extra fat in my diet - it also helps to stay satiated....

    Before Paleo if I was peckish I would have eaten cottage cheese or yoghurt - now I put a bit (small teaspoon) of coconut oil in my hot drink.....
  • hbunting86
    hbunting86 Posts: 952 Member
    *silly question alert*

    Does coconut oil taste like... well... coconut?

    I'm over in NZ too and wouldn't mind giving it a bash!
  • I use Spectrum Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. Use a little with your eggs and your get a very tasty eggs. Adds very good flavor to your food. Only set back I know you get from using it is the temp. Max is 280*f.

    Reading the back of the jar and it says you can warm it up and use on hair and skin. Never tried it but might now.
  • *silly question alert*

    Does coconut oil taste like... well... coconut?

    I'm over in NZ too and wouldn't mind giving it a bash!

    some do and some dont from what i read... it has so many health benefits and uses, i just want a kind that is reputable.
  • *silly question alert*

    Does coconut oil taste like... well... coconut?

    I'm over in NZ too and wouldn't mind giving it a bash!

    Yes, it's very good and smells amazing.
  • My doc said it would be good as a personal lubricant.

    unless you use latex, apparently the two dont get along so well lol
  • JadeRabbit08
    JadeRabbit08 Posts: 551 Member
    I use sungods brand. Its a good quality oil
    I think capsules are a bit of a ripoff. I buy the organic virgin oil in a jar and measure it out using a tablspoon measure. I just use it as a dressing on whatever I eat. Usually salad as I have raw food every day. If I did a stir fry I would jst mix it in after cooking.
  • katydid25
    katydid25 Posts: 199 Member
    I'm kind of a biased source, but I LOVE the coconut oil from Swanson Health Products: http://www.swansonvitamins.com/SWF035/ItemDetail

    It's minimally processed, raw, unrefined, nonhydrogenated and stable at high temperatures. I use it for a TON of different things!
  • awesome input guys! im going to research all the suggested brands! i even have my grandma interested in its benefits!
  • JadeRabbit08
    JadeRabbit08 Posts: 551 Member
    Oh yeah it is great in hair and I use it after showering on my skin. (Smells awesome)
  • swisspea
    swisspea Posts: 327 Member
    I bought some recently- but it came in a glass bottle! I can't get any of it out without having it go all over the place! Be sure to get a jar that you can fit a spoon into to actually get it out. I used it once, in a cake from chocolatecoveredkatie and it smelled amazing, but I don't want to make a big mess again. Does anyone have any suggestions for this problem?
  • 81Katz
    81Katz Posts: 7,074 Member
    Quick question(s) ... I have googled this online after reading a really interesting topic on here about coconut. Many suggested the unrefined virgin coconut oil, I guess the unrefined is what gives it the coconut smell and flavor ??? true or not?

    Also some sites it's in glass bottles (maybe plastic for shipping) and others look like big tubs of it. Which is best? Now if it's in a tub would be solid like a lets say waxy shea butter consistency? (best example I can think of this early!)

    Thanks!
    Sorry to hog your thread!
  • Kymmu
    Kymmu Posts: 1,648 Member
    google ' the coconut oil miracle' for more information. There is an excerpt from a book with lots of amazing facts!
    Also by googling benefits of coconut oil there is a tonne of info.
    I've been using it for 12 months now.
  • sandiburn
    sandiburn Posts: 149
    It has soooo many great benifits. My parents take it everyday ( 1 tbs) to prevent the onset of Alzheimer. Plus it is great for your skin. My moms face was VERY wrinkled, but she looks 10 yrs younger these days. It is great to cook with too. And the taste is good. I think it is a little expensive, but well worth the benifits.
  • BrianSharpe
    BrianSharpe Posts: 9,248 Member
    google ' the coconut oil miracle' for more information. There is an excerpt from a book with lots of amazing facts!
    Also by googling benefits of coconut oil there is a tonne of info.
    I've been using it for 12 months now.

    Info or propaganda?

    I'll probably get flamed for this but I tend to prefer health related information to come from real scientists not naturopaths, far too much of the "evidence" is anecdotal and has not been subjected to properly conducted and peer reviewed trials. (I'm not denying the coconut has benefits but it, along with so many other "miracle" foods and supplements are grossly oversold.)
  • secretlobster
    secretlobster Posts: 3,566 Member
    I don't really buy the idea of "miracle foods" but I know a lot of really rational people who swear by 1Tbsp of coconut oil per day, so who knows... :) I cook with it sometimes, the brand I like is Nature's Promise.
  • RoxannB
    RoxannB Posts: 1 Member
    I have been using "Health From The Sun" 100% vegetarian- raw organic virgin unrefined unbleached non-hydrogenated - coconut oil for a few years now. I use it from head to toe everyday. I buy it from a local health food store or I can order it online through the same store.

    Coconut oil helps with underarm odor too. I do use a more natural deodorant, but before I apply it, I rub on a little coconut oil first, then after a couple minutes I put deodorant on.

    Coconut oil is also great for thickening your hair. About 20 minutes before your shower, put about a quarter size amount on your hand, distribute it through your hair (especially the ends), let it set until your shower. It washes off with your shampoo.

    I hope this helps!
  • idauria
    idauria Posts: 1,037 Member
    I just bought Nature's Way EfaGold unrefined extra virgin coconut oil from amazon.com. They have great prices and an overwhelming selection. I haven't cooked with it yet but the back of the jar says it can be heated to 350 degrees.
  • TheUnwritten
    TheUnwritten Posts: 158 Member
    I use Nutiva extra virgin coconut oil. It has a mild coconut taste but I like it.
  • google ' the coconut oil miracle' for more information. There is an excerpt from a book with lots of amazing facts!
    Also by googling benefits of coconut oil there is a tonne of info.
    I've been using it for 12 months now.

    Info or propaganda?

    I'll probably get flamed for this but I tend to prefer health related information to come from real scientists not naturopaths, far too much of the "evidence" is anecdotal and has not been subjected to properly conducted and peer reviewed trials. (I'm not denying the coconut has benefits but it, along with so many other "miracle" foods and supplements are grossly oversold.)

    i get the frustration, however i am in no way expecting this to be some sort of medical miracle. i plan to use it for skin, hair, and small doses to aid in digestion and to help internally. i have seen it on dr. oz and read up on many studies that are available online, and although they cant say what will happen long term, most tend to agree that it is beneficial and in small doses can improve health.
  • JadeRabbit08
    JadeRabbit08 Posts: 551 Member
    google ' the coconut oil miracle' for more information. There is an excerpt from a book with lots of amazing facts!
    Also by googling benefits of coconut oil there is a tonne of info.
    I've been using it for 12 months now.

    Info or propaganda?

    I'll probably get flamed for this but I tend to prefer health related information to come from real scientists not naturopaths, far too much of the "evidence" is anecdotal and has not been subjected to properly conducted and peer reviewed trials. (I'm not denying the coconut has benefits but it, along with so many other "miracle" foods and supplements are grossly oversold.)

    There have been a number of peer reviewed studies. My main reason is not for weight loss but brain health.

    I have copied and pasted the info below from another earlier post on coconut oil.

    Coconut oil is high calories which helps me meet my calorie goals but it is reputed to help with weight loss due to being a medium chain fatty acid. I must admit I have had no hunger problems so far and I wonder if its the oils I am choosing to add to my diet.

    Here is two links on peer reviewed research on this if you are interested -

    http://www.ajcn.org/content/37/1/1.short
    http://jn.nutrition.org/content/132/3/329.abstract

    Just a health link explaining its benefits for laymen -

    http://www.melrosehealth.com.au/health_products/Gluten_Free_Organic_Health_Food/Coconut-Oil.aspx

    Here is another link just on nutrition from an amazing woman. (I love TED talks) Really inspires me to enjoy as much truely healthy food as I can.

    Dr. Terry Wahls - Minding Your Mitochondria
    http://tedxtalks.ted.com/video/TEDxIowaCity-Dr-Terry-Wahls-Min;search:tag:"tedxiowacity"

    Edited to add - I agree everyone should take the effort do the the research from reputable sources there is alot of crackpot sites out there with their own agenda.
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