Blargh, coconut oil!

jiggsauce

So I'm taking 2 tbsp of (cold-pressed, extra virgin) coconut oil a day for the health benefits and because it works as an appetite suppressant, which is ideal for someone trying to live on 1,200 net calories a day.

The positive:
- yup, totally makes me feel full for way less calories than a 4th meal or my beloved punch bowl of cereal
- I might be imagining this but my skin stopped chapping in some areas after just a couple days
- helping tame yeast overgrowth

The negative:
- vaguely upset stomach. Supposedly this goes away after a week or so of taking it regularly, but for right now it sucks hard. This morning I made the mistake of mixing it with coffee to make it more palatable, and coffee sort of upsets my stomach as well, so combining the two left me miserable.
- BLEH! The taste is not awful but the mouth feeling of swallowing oil....shudder. Challenging to find some way to consume it that doesn't trigger my gag reflex. Best way I've found so far is in chai tea, the heavy spice clears the oily mouth feeling.
- I have a mild latex allergy and coconut is a trigger. I noticed 2-3 hives break out over the course of today, but thankfully they went away quickly.


I am planning on using it short-term to combat Candida (yeast) overgrowth, and then maybe infrequently thereafter. I really hope the adverse effects wear off soon! Except the hives, I think I'm stuck with little outbreaks. Stupid latex, stop having so many fruit relatives!

GeekAmour

Have you tried cooking with it? I have fried my eggs in it before, or mushrooms/spinach etc, but my FAVE thing to do with it is cook stirfrys... making one tonight actually, de-frikkin-licious.

lhourin

I also really like it in coffee, with cream, too.

maegmez

That's like 260 calories in 2 tbsps. You could have a filling breakfast for that like oatmeal.

WhiteGirlWasted13

If you like dark chocolate and stevia, try mixing cocoa powder with your coconut oil (melt it a little bit), then sweeten it with liquid stevia (raspberry, orange, vanilla, you get the idea). Then pour into molds or "puddles" on a sheet of wax paper. Store your candy in the freezer for a quick, healthy sweet treat.

Again, though, you must like dark chocolate and stevia. Otherwise, this will.not.work.

dayone987

I'm not sure if it's wise to continue to eat something that triggers your allergies.

tilos1

There is still a lot of controversy over consuming coconut oil (see, e.g., http://www.webmd.com/diet/features/coconut-oil-and-health). I wouldn't trust the health claims unless you actually find the medical journal and learn about the number of people they studied. Several things worth mentioning:

1. Coconut oil is full of saturated fat

2. The polynesian cultures that eat lots of coconut oil also have very high rates of obesity. Granted, lots of other unhealthy things are consumed there too, but I would be skeptical of any Doctor Oz style "miracle claim."

Again, look for a peer-reviewed article and don't trust what Oz or others who are just trying to get their ratings up tell you. It may be that there is some benefit, but it is really too early to tell.

ETA: I don't have PubMed access, but I used Google Scholar trying to find the most supportive article on deliberating consuming coconut oil that involved humans and not rats. I found this study (http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11745-009-3306-6), where in a double-blind study, women found a reduction in abdominal fat compared to the control. But the study only had 40 people in it. Anyone aware of any larger studies? Again, I tend to be skeptical about any dramatic claims without seeing hard science to back it.

(In the interest of full disclosure, I should note that I do use coconut oil for cooking some southern indian dishes.)

dawnna76

It makes a great hair mask treatment, great for dry skin and lips as a topical treatment but eating it! Yuck!:sick:

dazzo62

I know - kind of yucky. I did a lot of research and learned that 1 tbsp. before meals can really help your metabolism and help burn fat. Since I have been very ill the past 6 months I have lost a lot of muscle. So I tried it , even in my coffee. I didn't get an allergic reaction like you but after a few days I started to get a "gag" reaction!! I am now using it as a moisturizer on heels, elbows...

lotusspark

Thanks for posting this. I've been meaning to try it. I'll pick some up.

jiggsauce

Hi guys,

I agree with those who have said it's not a "miracle" oil - to the one poster, I don't even watch or follow Dr. Oz so I had no idea he pushes coconut oil. I'm more interested in the anti-fungal properties of the high concentration of caprylic acid (and it's nice that it suppresses appetite too.

To the person who said I could just have a filling breakfast instead, I am actually still eating a small breakfast which is my regular habit anyway. Oatmeal is not filling to me (at least, not 260 calories worth - what can I say I like to eat!). It really helps me cut down on lunch calories and dinner calories because it tides me over and reduces my appetite, which snacks of the same calorie amounts never do.

And yes, I know there is lots of saturated fat in it. However the saturated fats in it are medium-chain so they burn more quickly and easily than other kinds of saturated fat. With taking 2 tbsp a day and watching my diet, I am still ending up within myfitnesspal's fat goals for the day. Actually probably more than I was before because I'm now super conscious about it! And I'm not too worried about high saturated fat intake as I don't plan to be using it forever.

As for my allergy, it's something I'm watching really closely but I've had the same issue with bananas in the past and I built up a tolerance for them. If it got bad I would definitely discontinue. Maybe I'm a little relaxed about it because I get here-and-there hives pretty often from random allergic reactions to certain chemicals - I'm just one of those people with a lot of random mild allergies.

Thanks for your comments everybody

tschaff04

I too believe in the benefits of CO. I buy unrefined extra virgin CO and use it to cook, and I particularly love it in this recipe.

http://www.practicalpaleo.blogspot.com/2011/06/primal-fudge.html

Wanted to add, I am not Paleo, but I just love this freaking fudge!! I use raw honey to sweeten it, natural peanut butter rather than almond butter and either the vanilla extract or almond extract. I love both. I also portion it into 15 little discs rather than 12 and they are just over 140 cals a disc. Helps me on those days when I am really craving chocolate.

I LOVE coconut so the flavor of unrefined CO is yummy to me.

gibsy

I'm not sure if it's wise to continue to eat something that triggers your allergies.

Uh yeah, I second that. If you're breaking out into hives and having stomach aches because of the stuff, it does not sound like something that you should be eating. It might benefit some people but in your case it sounds like the harm is outweighing the good.

** I should add that my aunt got really into bee pollen because of the health fad and now she is severely allergic to it, and has developed hay fever she never had before. Fad superfoods can be dangerous. Not all of them suit all bodies. Listen to what yours is telling you and stop eating this stuff!

tigersword

Ahh coconut oil, the snake oil of the 21st century.

It's just oil, not a miracle cure. Olive oil has tons of health benefits, but you never see people just drinking olive oil, do you?

Companies realized how profitable coconut oil can be, as it's readily available and very cheap (although incredibly destructive to the environment) which is why it's suddenly getting all these (mostly exaggerated or completely invented) magical health claims.

Lady1945

I mix my coconut oil with a teaspoon of honey and a teaspoon of cinnamon and
spread it on a piece of ezekial toast. Yummy

CharRicho

I wasn't aware of the Dr Oz stuff, or actually any of the potential healthy benefits that some seem to be saying exist with coconut oil.
But I do bake with it because it's delicious! Not sure I could swallow oil.. ugh.

etoiles_argentees

Ahh coconut oil, the snake oil of the 21st century.

It's just oil, not a miracle cure. Olive oil has tons of health benefits, but you never see people just drinking olive oil, do you?

Companies realized how profitable coconut oil can be, as it's readily available and very cheap (although incredibly destructive to the environment) which is why it's suddenly getting all these (mostly exaggerated or completely invented) magical health claims.

snake oil.

IIISpartacusIII

I crystallize it and snort it for quick energy pre workout. Works like a charm!

HiKaren

I too believe in the benefits of CO. I buy unrefined extra virgin CO and use it to cook, and I particularly love it in this recipe.

http://www.practicalpaleo.blogspot.com/2011/06/primal-fudge.html

Wanted to add, I am not Paleo, but I just love this freaking fudge!! I use raw honey to sweeten it, natural peanut butter rather than almond butter and either the vanilla extract or almond extract. I love both. I also portion it into 15 little discs rather than 12 and they are just over 140 cals a disc. Helps me on those days when I am really craving chocolate.

I LOVE coconut so the flavor of unrefined CO is yummy to me.

Thanks for the idea!

snowmanluv

I've been using it too now on a regular basis.

Suppose to help thyroid too. You can use it to cook with especially in bake goods. I don't substitute the whole amount just enough to add taste. Also, I put mine in my protein shake in am. Mixed with everything else you can't taste it.

Regard the yeast overgrowth----check with The Plan diet. They recommend something for the overgrowth of yeast. Check out your tongue if white probably have the yeast stuff going on. The Plan deals with this on day 2 with supplements (not coconut oil).
Found this but also google Canida diets to treat that.
For this reason, supplements are recommended. You can find two main types at most health food stores -- Lactobaccillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bifidobacteria (freeze-dried). You'll want to take them together and look for a capsule that contains at least four billion live organisms.

MrsDRS54

I mix it into my smoothie. Much better than trying to drink "oily" coffee.

jiggsauce

Thanks for the tips! I mixed it in with a smoothie yesterday morning and it was delicious! Much better than the oily coffee route. Later in the day I took my second tablespoon with chai tea and added cinnamon - cinnamon really counteracts the oily feel in your mouth, so that was pretty good too (not preferred but I can't drink 2 smoothies a day, too much sugar even just using plain yogurt and a wee bit of milk.) That fudge looks awesome too.

Re: my allergy, I haven't gotten any hives since the first day (when I had 3) and no more nausea. I think the nausea was just related to taking straight coconut oil as I had never done that before. As I mentioned it's a very mild allergy so likely it was a one-time thing (or maybe it wasn't related at all - I get hives randomly all the time from inadvertently touching something "chemically" that I'm allergic to.)

On day 4, I can report a couple real benefits:

- My skin is WAY less dry; four days ago it was literally flaking off my face. I live in an extremely dry climate and it's winter here, so doubly dry. I was literally waking up with rough patches on my face and hands, even with a humidifer. Now both are much improved, especially my face. I haven't been doing anything different moisturizing-wise except taking the oil.

- Yeast is almost gone!!!! I would not have believed it could work so well if I hadn't seen it myself, I basically went on coconut oil as a last resort. (At this point I probably would have sacrificed a virgin if someone told me it would help, I've had yeast for over a month.) I am completely taken aback with how fast this has changed, because I've been on fluconazole the whole month and a probiotic with no change or even improvement. I'm still taking those two things but the coconut oil really kicked it into high gear.

Those are the two things I noticed it DOES do. I know a lot of people promote it as magic for all your ills; I don't personally believe that but I can say what it has done for me is totally worth it.

tschaff04

I am with you on the dry skin problem. My skin is incredibly dry year round. Since just incorporating it into my foods(to cook with, making my fudge, etc.) and eating it normally, my skin is looking amazing and my face is not dry at all. I have tried lotions in the past and nothing worked. So just for that I am happy.

Lyerin

I'm not sure if it's wise to continue to eat something that triggers your allergies.

Exactly. A mild reaction can become more severe over time. I would not risk it.

Mendham07945

I make steel cut oatmeal in the crockpot. Make multiple portions and divide it for use during the week. I put the coconut oil in the hot oatmeal, mix in some chia seeds, splenda brown sugar, and top with a banana. Yum!

hrshygrl00

I'm not sure if it's wise to continue to eat something that triggers your allergies.

Exactly. A mild reaction can become more severe over time. I would not risk it.

what they said.
I do not eat it.
I use it as a skin moisturizer only.

ilovedeadlifts

I liked to put it in my tea. so you don't taste it.

I also enjoy cooking with it. I cook a lot of my meats in it, and also will mix coconut oil into my rice or veggies.

Jacwhite22

bump for ideas....

EnuffaMyButt

I use it in my coffee instead of creamer. Add a tblsp to your coffee, blend it and you've got a delicious, frothy coffee! It's amazing!

BeachIron

Another thread on guzzling coconut oil. Yes. There. Have. Been. Others.

Try cooking with it.

Or try consuming things that you are not allergic to.

ahviendha

anything cooked in coconut oil tastes amazing. i love cooking my pancakes in it, stirfrys, and in the morning i put some in my frying pan and some on my face.

virgin cold pressed!!