Coconut oil in my coffee- making me RAVENOUS

Sailorwind

I've been hearing and reading a lot about coconut oil lately, both for health and beauty. Since I seem to be at a plateau, I decided to try adding a tablespoon of coconut oil to my coffee in the morning to see if the MCTs would have any success in speeding up my metabolism. As I generally don't have a problem eating below my 1400 calories alotted a day, I didn't think I'd have a problem using 120 of them for the coconut oil.

While I am certainly feeling some of the advertised side effects of the coconut oil, mainly the energy and heat flashes, the claim I seem to NOT be finding true for me is that the CO will keep me fuller longer. In fact, I'm finding the opposite - I am ravenous all the time. With the exception of "that time of the month" occasionally, I haven't had cravings like this since I started eating healthy.

Has anyone else had this happen to them where the CO made them much more hungry? I've only been doing this experiment for about a week so I wanted to give it a few weeks, but I'm worried I'm going to balloon, not because of the CO itself but because it's causing me to eat so much more than I normally do without it. I try to still eat healthy for the cravings, but my strength of will seems to be nill on the coconut oil and it really triggers my sweet/carby tooth.

lauren3101

I used to use coconut oil a lot but it never had that effect on me. Coconut oil in coffee doesn't sound particularly appealing lol.

umachanxo

I wouldn't put coconut oil in coffee - but maybe try just using very small amounts in cooking etc.?

Sailorwind

I don't cook or bake with oil consistently. The only thing I do consistently every day (apart from down a tablespoon of chia seeds, but that method didn't seem appealing with CO) is drink a cup of coffee. From various blogs and boards, this is actually an extremely common way of taking daily CO. I use refined CO since I really can't stand the taste of coconut so my coffee doesn't taste any different or have any sort of different texture, it still just tastes like coffee.

Honestly, the method of taking CO daily was not my concern. I want to know if anyone else has had this effect from the CO and basically if it goes away when my body gets used to it or if it will continue causing me to blimp back up.

ilovedeadlifts

When I was using coconut oil in my coffee, it was keeping me satisfied so I could wait 2 hours before eating. Worked well for me.

haven't heard of it giving the opposite effect, weird.

Sailorwind

The chia seeds have that effect for me, but the CO seems to be counteracting the chia seeds. I hope this means it's speeding up my metabolism, but I'm not sure it's in a good way since it's leaving me so hungry.

AbbsyBabbsy

If it's making you ravenous, stop putting it in your coffee. Problem solved. I have the exact same problem after any coffee, an insanely strong urge to eat eat eat about 30 minutes after drinking it. So I stopped drinking it.

JasonDetwiler

I have not had that effect. Though if I did, I would use it right before I hit the buffet so I could get the most for my money.

cmriverside

I put one TEAspoon of CO in my coffee. I've been doing it for about a year, and it does the opposite for me. It takes the edge off the hunger. Are you using any protein in the coffee, too? I use a half cup of milk and a teaspoon of mixed cinnamon and sugar...I doubt the sugar makes a difference but the milk might.

rachelhohenbrink

I have been using coconut oil for the last 2 years and I don't have this probelm, but I usually put it in my smoothies which usually have banana, coconut milk, hemp seeds and various things depending on the day. Are you eating breakfast or just the coffee and CO? If your not eating breakfat then you should start. Coconut oil is an amazing food and does have so many benefits.

ncahill77

I'm no scientist but it is possible that it is speeding up metabolism, when I start lifing again after doing a couple of months of just cardio I am ravenous, it usually fades after a couple of weeks. How long have you been using the CO?

dym123

I've been putting coconut oil in my hair and haven't noticed a difference. So you're saying I should be cooking with it. Oh.:blushing:

rubyautumn4

I glanced at your diary for today and perhaps you need additional protein in the morning - maybe an egg or something else?

Sailorwind

I suppose it would have been smarter to start with a teaspoon and not a tablespoon... I'll try cutting my amount.

I'm not a huge breakfast person. I don't usually get hungry until about 3-4 hours after I get up, before that the thought of food kind of makes me naseaus, so I just drink a cup of coffee until I'm hungry. Currently, my coffee is made with a little bit of truvia and a little less than a tablespoon of Coffee-mate Natural Bliss. I'm slowly trying to wean myself to black coffee like I did with tea. I do put raw cacao powder, cinnamon and cloves in my grounds, but the cacao seems to be gumming up my drip filter, so I'll try mixing it in straight with the coffee after I use these grounds this week. It's not a large amount of those ingredients, probably about 1/8-1/4 tsp/cup.

When I finally get hungry, I'm at work, so I normally just make some instant oatmeal or eat an apple for breakfast as I don't have a kitchen at work. Also, I'm not the hugest fan of eggs as a dish. I usually take my tablespoon of chia seeds as soon as I get to work which is about an hour before I eat breakfast.

I've only been doing the coconout oil for about a week, and it didn't start making me ravenous until a few days ago. This morning, as is evidenced by my diary, I scarfed down an offered cookie as soon as I walked in the office and a half hour later ate a whole package of Kar's Sweet'n'Salty. I usually can't eat more than half a package in a sitting. The protein in the nuts does not seem to be helping. On Sunday I ate about 800 calories worth of sashimi (almost twice the size of the order I usually can eat), which is a TON of protein, and I was still feeling ravenous an hour later. So I'm going to go out on a limb and say the protein is not helping with this.

cmriverside

Have you adjusted your caloire intake lately? You may just need to be eating more in general. With this in mind, reset your goals:

If you have 75+ lbs to lose 2 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 40-75 lbs to lose 1.5 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 25-40 lbs to lose 1 lbs/week is ideal,
If you have 15 -25 lbs to lose 0.5 to 1.0 lbs/week is ideal, and
If you have less than 15 lbs to lose 0.5 lbs/week is ideal.


As you lose weight, you have to adjust. You may need to eat more than you were when you first started. You can go to Groups and read the "Eat More to Weigh Less" sticky threads, too. It sounds like you need more food, maybe try a protein shake in the morning, or some cheese. Can you add milk to your coffee? I know that makes a big difference to me.

cmriverside

I just took a peak at your diary. With as few pounds as you are trying to lose, you need way more than 1400 calories a day as your base. You are young and you have a job, I'd guess you would be better off at something like 1700-1900 a day to lose.

Here's the Group link, read the top ten threads or so.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

Sailorwind

I just took a peak at your diary. With as few pounds as you are trying to lose, you need way more than 1400 calories a day as your base. You are young and you have a job, I'd guess you would be better off at something like 1700-1900 a day to lose.

Here's the Group link, read the top ten threads or so.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

My BMR is only like 1417 because I'm short. My TDEE was around 1900-2000 last I checked, but that was when I was walking two miles a day 5 days a week. Since then my podiatrist has told me to stop because putting weight on my foot makes it worse and I haven't been good about developing an exercise routine I can do without a gym that does not put weight on my foot. It's not because I can't, it's because I have just been lazy. I'll admit it. When I was walking, I was eating around 1800 calories a day to eat back my workout calories and that averaged to maybe a little less than one pound a week loss. Either way, to lose 1 pound a week now, I need it to be around 1400 as I have become EXTREMELY sedentary due to foot pain. MFP keeps trying to auto change it to 1200 but that's ridiculous.

TaterTotz777

If it's making you ravenous, stop putting it in your coffee. Problem solved.

HA! This ^^

wildfirediva

It may be the type of coconut oil you are using. Louana Coconut oil is super refined and won't have the same benefits as a good quality virgin unrefined that you can find in most health food sections of grocery stores or health food stores.

Yikes...they sell that stuff next to Crisco in the grocery store. The refining process alters the fatty acid profile not giving you the full benefit of Coconut Oil.

If you have to or are willing to give it another try you can also get it in capsule form too. I love the flavor and richness so much I just eat the spoon full straight.

Also after taking a peak at your diary, your daily protein intake appears a bit low. Increasing the amount of protein you get at each meal will help you from getting hungry.

secretlobster

I'm no scientist but

I stopped reading here. I refuse to listen to non-scientists. I don't even know how you registered for this site.

ilovedeadlifts

I have not had that effect. Though if I did, I would use it right before I hit the buffet so I could get the most for my money.

this man. is. a. genius.

axialmeow

I had coconut oil in coffee yesterday and now that you mention it, I was hungry before dinner. Maybe thats why. I usually use it for cooking. Hmmmmmm I

cmriverside

I just took a peak at your diary. With as few pounds as you are trying to lose, you need way more than 1400 calories a day as your base. You are young and you have a job, I'd guess you would be better off at something like 1700-1900 a day to lose.

Here's the Group link, read the top ten threads or so.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

My BMR is only like 1417 because I'm short. My TDEE was around 1900-2000 last I checked, but that was when I was walking two miles a day 5 days a week. Since then my podiatrist has told me to stop because putting weight on my foot makes it worse and I haven't been good about developing an exercise routine I can do without a gym that does not put weight on my foot. It's not because I can't, it's because I have just been lazy. I'll admit it. When I was walking, I was eating around 1800 calories a day to eat back my workout calories and that averaged to maybe a little less than one pound a week loss. Either way, to lose 1 pound a week now, I need it to be around 1400 as I have become EXTREMELY sedentary due to foot pain. MFP keeps trying to auto change it to 1200 but that's ridiculous.

You can't expect to lose a pound a week when you are only trying to lose 15-18 pounds. Your BMR is 1417, and you are eating LESS than that. Please read those threads I linked you to. No wonder you are hungry, and you're probably going to be stalled in your weight loss if you keep this up.

Here's more:
The Myfitnesspal way:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calories
For General How To when it comes to weight loss:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Sailorwind

It may be the type of coconut oil you are using. Louana Coconut oil is super refined and won't have the same benefits as a good quality virgin unrefined that you can find in most health food sections of grocery stores or health food stores.

Yikes...they sell that stuff next to Crisco in the grocery store. The refining process alters the fatty acid profile not giving you the full benefit of Coconut Oil.

If you have to or are willing to give it another try you can also get it in capsule form too. I love the flavor and richness so much I just eat the spoon full straight.

Also after taking a peak at your diary, your daily protein intake appears a bit low. Increasing the amount of protein you get at each meal will help you from getting hungry.

I actually have done some scouring on this and have not found any studies or scientists confirming that refined coconut oil has any fewer benefits than the extra-virgin-turned into coconut oil within the first 48 hours after the thing was picked - oil. It's simply been processed with less heat (so it doesn't bring out the coconut taste which is a result of burning the meat) and deoderized. I honestly can't stand the taste of coconut. I had a co-worker give me a one gallon tub of the Tropical Traditions extra-virgin stuff that his wife bought last year and didn't use. I've been using it for beauty products as I can stand the smell, but not the taste. All I've ever seen regarding the difference is posts by people in forums that basically go under the assumption that if it says virgin and organic, it must clearly be better for you. Yes, Louana is refined. It is still 100% coconut oil with no other ingredients on the list. If you know of these studies, please point me to them and I'll re-evaluate if I'm going to use coconut oil at all. If it's virgin oil tha tastes like coconut or nothing, I'll take nothing.

They actually sell it right next to the Nutiva cold press coconut oil that costs twice as much for 3/4 as much oil. But I'll keep an eye out for the capsules, those sound like a promising alternative for traveling.

Sailorwind

I just took a peak at your diary. With as few pounds as you are trying to lose, you need way more than 1400 calories a day as your base. You are young and you have a job, I'd guess you would be better off at something like 1700-1900 a day to lose.

Here's the Group link, read the top ten threads or so.

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/3817-eat-more-to-weigh-less

My BMR is only like 1417 because I'm short. My TDEE was around 1900-2000 last I checked, but that was when I was walking two miles a day 5 days a week. Since then my podiatrist has told me to stop because putting weight on my foot makes it worse and I haven't been good about developing an exercise routine I can do without a gym that does not put weight on my foot. It's not because I can't, it's because I have just been lazy. I'll admit it. When I was walking, I was eating around 1800 calories a day to eat back my workout calories and that averaged to maybe a little less than one pound a week loss. Either way, to lose 1 pound a week now, I need it to be around 1400 as I have become EXTREMELY sedentary due to foot pain. MFP keeps trying to auto change it to 1200 but that's ridiculous.

You can't expect to lose a pound a week when you are only trying to lose 15-18 pounds. Your BMR is 1417, and you are eating LESS than that. Please read those threads I linked you to. No wonder you are hungry, and you're probably going to be stalled in your weight loss if you keep this up.

Here's more:
The Myfitnesspal way:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/186814-some-mfp-basics
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/61706-guide-to-calorie-deficits
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/10589-for-those-confused-or-questioning-eating-your-exercise-calories
For General How To when it comes to weight loss:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/654536-in-place-of-a-road-map-2-0-revised-7-2-12

Thanks! I'll definitely check those out this week. Usually when I see that type of slogan it means going carb free, which I am not quite willing to do. I'm trying to cut down on my simple carbs, but I do believe that carbs are an important part of the diet. Meanwhile, we'll see how I do in the next few weeks because the coconut oil has surely upped my daily caloric intake

ncahill77

I'm no scientist but

I stopped reading here. I refuse to listen to non-scientists. I don't even know how you registered for this site.

Well I didn't want to brag but I am self accredited in Broscience....now I have to finish up my last carbs of the day and get ready to go curl in the squat rack.

kenazfehu

If you don't want to use it in your coffee any more, I can tell you that it's great to put on the ends of long hair and to rub into dry feet and legs. That's all I use coconut oil for, except to oil my waffle maker. It makes the waffles taste SO good.

Sailorwind

If you don't want to use it in your coffee any more, I can tell you that it's great to put on the ends of long hair and to rub into dry feet and legs. That's all I use coconut oil for, except to oil my waffle maker. It makes the waffles taste SO good.

That's how I started learning about coconut oil, really. I started learning to make my own hair and skin products and coconut oil kept popping up. It's also really great as a massage oil and in lip balm and apparently a lot of people use it for oil pulling for their teeth.

caribougal

I often make "Bulletproof Coffee" as an alternative to breakfast... I call it an intermittant fast but really it's an "I don't have time to make breakfast" day.

I add 1 TB of coconut oil and 1 TB of grass-fed unsalted butter to my black coffee. The key is to BLEND it with an immersion blender or shake in one of those blender ball shake cup thingies. That way the coconut oil and butter don't float to the top. Once blended, it's creamy delicious, and the healthy fats keep me happy to lunch. The idea is that the fat content makes your body feel as satiated as if you had a meal. I don't necessarily feel like I've chowed down on a big plate of eggs and bacon after bulletproof coffee, but I don't get hungry either, and it tastes great. If I'm really short on time, I just add some coconut manna to my coffee and cream, which gives it a small MCT boost and tastes sort of nutty and the tiniest bit sweet.

But, since I mostly eat protein at breakfast, and only carbs if they come from veggies, I find that I can go easily to 1-2p before getting hungry, with breakfast, without, or with just bullet proof coffee.

mockchoc

Bumping because I'd also like to hear what others think regarding the health benifits of refined v's virgin coconut oil. I'd like to use the virgin for cooking but I've heard the refined is better at tollerating high heat. Thoughts anyone?

Starla_

Bumping because I'd also like to hear what others think regarding the health benifits of refined v's virgin coconut oil. I'd like to use the virgin for cooking but I've heard the refined is better at tollerating high heat. Thoughts anyone?

I've just started using extra virgin coconut oil. I have some in a little container for my hair and skin and I also have some in the kitchen for cooking. I'm using coconut oil primarily because I am looking for something easy to boost up my cals and also because I love the smell of coconut and often use coconut products on my skin anyway so thought i'd just go natural for a change. As for health benefits between refined/virgin... it's a good fat, thats all I care about.

I actually don't use oil for cooking often at all so actually remembering to use it is usually a struggle but the times I have remembered its been great. Goes great on high heat, much better than any other oils I've used. It can put a little bit of a different taste into food but not much really.