Coconut Oil - what do I need to know?

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Replies

  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    Keep it around for anyone who needs a laxative. Works well on those who aren't used to consuming it regularly.

    I've heard of using it to clean your teeth with, but the recommended swishing time is just ridiculously long.
  • Jolinia
    Jolinia Posts: 846 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    It's a nice cooking oil....but it's fat, just like any cooking oil. I use it primarily when cooking my eggs and making popcorn. Most of the miracle claims are exaggerated at best and mostly just anecdotal *kitten*.

    I think it's hilarious though that the stuff was banned from movie theaters in the 90s and pretty much the "devil" and now it's a "health" food...cracks me up.

    But banning it made room for those healthy and delicious trans fats!
  • Kimberly_Harper
    Kimberly_Harper Posts: 409 Member
    I use it to cook with instead of canola or vegetable or other industrial oils. I just switch back and forth between that or Olive oil. If you get the organic, unrefined kind any fat in it is good for you fat.
  • sseqwnp
    sseqwnp Posts: 327 Member
    MizTerry wrote: »
    I use it to cook with (my homemade pan popped popcorn is da bomb!), I use it for my hair, my dry skin, and it's even good for bedroom playtime. ;)

    Is this what people mean when they talk about "oil pulling?"
  • KombuchaCat
    KombuchaCat Posts: 834 Member
    It is probably the most amazing substance you can put in or on your body. I eat copious amounts of it!
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    I can't stand the smell of coconuts so I buy the refined coconut oil, which has no odor other than the typical oily smell of other quality oils. I only use it for popcorn as far as cooking. I can't use it for personal care because it has a high comedogenic (pore clogging) rating and I break out when I use it. I even get sore red bumps on my scalp if I use it in my hair.
  • cakegoddess1
    cakegoddess1 Posts: 14 Member
    Are you kidding? Use olive oil or canola oil ONLY. And those sparingly. Good grief! We're trying to lose weight and get healthy here...use your heads.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    cwolfman13 wrote: »
    It's a nice cooking oil....but it's fat, just like any cooking oil. I use it primarily when cooking my eggs and making popcorn. Most of the miracle claims are exaggerated at best and mostly just anecdotal *kitten*.

    I think it's hilarious though that the stuff was banned from movie theaters in the 90s and pretty much the "devil" and now it's a "health" food...cracks me up.

    I make soap and coconut oil is a really nice one for giving the soap lather. Back in the 90's, I had a really hard time finding it because movie theaters and bakeries stopped using it because of all of the anti-fat fearmongering. Palm oil was another that was really hard to get a hold of. I had to mail order them which was way too expensive. Eventually the internet came along and I was able to get it much cheaper by shopping suppliers. Now, I actually use a kissing cousin to coconut oil called Babassu oil. Similar properties but it is not comedogenic so I don't break out from it. I don't buy palm oil because of the deforestation of the orangutan's territory by growers.

  • ciarotheray
    ciarotheray Posts: 20 Member
    It's the only fat that I can use a teeny-tiny amount of and still make awesome pancakes (though obviously decent pans also help there). It works well for vegan baking when you want solid fats, and it's also decent for lip balm/exfoliators. :)
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  • thecanface
    thecanface Posts: 1,180 Member
    I love it in my coffee! it makes it creamy and so yummy!
    it does taste 100 x better blended, so that will take more time, but it's so worth it.

    http://www.swansonvitamins.com/blog/kaitlins-blog/coconut-oil-coffee
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  • LavenderLeaves
    LavenderLeaves Posts: 195 Member
    cakegoddess1 wrote: »
    Are you kidding? Use olive oil or canola oil ONLY. And those sparingly. Good grief! We're trying to lose weight and get healthy here...use your heads.

    What? I use butter daily. Canola oil is awful and nowhere in the same field as cold-pressed olive oil. Fat doesn't make us fat. Excess calories do.
  • bluesdivaca
    bluesdivaca Posts: 27 Member
    I made brownies for a friend's birthday and was out of vegetable oil. I melted down some Coconut oil (Trader Joes) and used it instead. The brownies were yummy chocolate with that nice coconut taste in the background.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Liz4J wrote: »
    Hi all,
    I just purchased a jar of coconut oil to try. I've heard there are many, many uses but I need more information on how good it is to cook with.
    I looked on the jar and was shocked to see it was so high in saturated fat. I know some fat is good but is coconut oil worth cooking with? Give me your opinion.
    I did notice when used it today that I only needed a very small amount.
    Thanks in advance for the input.

    What do you need to know about coconut oil?

    1. Hipsters, trendsters, and hippies love it.
    2. It's oil.
    3. From the coconut.
    4. It's not magic.
    5. It's oil.
  • jgnatca
    jgnatca Posts: 14,464 Member
    Coconut oil is a saturated fat, so not the best fat for heart health. Unsaturated is what you are looking for. Coconut oil is overrated right now.
    I've heard coconut oil is the best oil to use. Is that true?

    a402677d21d1e6d192b6476a4398f538.jpg
  • goddessofawesome
    goddessofawesome Posts: 563 Member
    edited February 2015
    cakegoddess1 wrote: »
    Are you kidding? Use olive oil or canola oil ONLY. And those sparingly. Good grief! We're trying to lose weight and get healthy here...use your heads.

    @cakegoddess1 What?

    YOU might be trying to lose weight and get healthy but not everyone on this site is.

    And why olive oil or canola oil ONLY!? What type of magical qualities do those two oils have that will cause you to lose weight and become healthy vs. the apparently non-magical properties of coconut oil?
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    Canola oil? That's the one that used to be okayed only for machine lubricant, right? Not safe for human consumption until it grew enough of a lobby...
  • neanderthin
    neanderthin Posts: 10,208 Member
    jgnatca wrote: »
    Coconut oil is a saturated fat, so not the best fat for heart health. Unsaturated is what you are looking for. Coconut oil is overrated right now.
    I've heard coconut oil is the best oil to use. Is that true?

    a402677d21d1e6d192b6476a4398f538.jpg
    Déjà vu all over again.
  • beemerphile1
    beemerphile1 Posts: 1,710 Member
    We only use olive oil and unrefined coconut oil for cooking.

    One of my favorite dishes is homemade sweet potato home fries done with coconut oil.

    Coconut oil is also a good hand cream.
  • Lanamasha55
    Lanamasha55 Posts: 14 Member
    Laurend224 wrote: »
    Takes off waterproof mascara like a champ.

  • gleesongirl
    gleesongirl Posts: 12
    I did some research on this a while ago, and found the article.......According to Dr. Jay Kenney a nutrition and research specialist: Ounce for ounce, coconut oil has more saturated fat than butter, beef tallow, or lard. “So coconut oil raises LDL cholesterol as much – or more – than animal fats” I think it's okay to put on the outside of your body though.
  • goddessofawesome
    goddessofawesome Posts: 563 Member
    edited February 2015
    Lanamasha55 wrote: »
    Laurend224 wrote: »
    Takes off waterproof mascara like a champ.

    Really?

    I wonder if it would work for the glue from false eyelashes. That is a beast to get off sometimes.
  • dbmata
    dbmata Posts: 12,950 Member
    I used to know a gal that uses it as lube.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    edited February 2015
    I use it on my skin with avocado oil.

    Since some vitamins and minerals need fat for proper absorption, I use it for my sauteed kale/onion/Chard and it adds a great flavor. Have to use unrefined (virgin) that actually tastes like coconut. I use very little. I don't eat much saturated fat otherwise if there is coconut oil in my day.

    It also browns and crisps very quickly at a lower temp then other oils.
  • tat2cookie
    tat2cookie Posts: 1,899 Member
    I literally have a jar in every room of my house. I cook with it, I mix it with lavender, frankincense and maleluca essential oils to put on my face, I used it on my baby, And more. I did my own research, I've noticed a difference since switching to it. And yes I'm one of those crunchy granola people! B)
  • Naley2322
    Naley2322 Posts: 181 Member
    I honestly would rather use those 120 - 130 calories for 2 tbsps of coconut oil for something like a large apple or yogurt with berries all for that same calorie range that will actuall give me energy and keep me full
  • getfitrenee22
    getfitrenee22 Posts: 44
    here's an article that talks more about the importance of including coconut oil into a daily diet....http://authoritynutrition.com/top-10-evidence-based-health-benefits-of-coconut-oil/
  • KetoneKaren
    KetoneKaren Posts: 6,412 Member
    @cakegoddess1 I like coconut oil. And olive oil. And butter. And avocado oil. And walnut oil. And hemp oil. And sesame oil. And...lots of other fats.

    My personal motto with all fats is "savor, don't smother". I have dropped 21lbs since April. My cholesterol profile is excellent.

    My consumption of coconut oil has not prevented me from losing weight and getting healthy.

    Anyone who has been advised by their doctor to stay away from saturated fats should definitely do so. But not everyone has to. My bariatric endocrinologist is fine with me including some coconut oil in my diet.
  • Nikion901
    Nikion901 Posts: 2,467 Member
    spunmommy wrote: »

    Coconut oil has a high smoke point making it great for sauté and roasting. Stay away from vegetable and canola oils for cooking because they're high in Omega 6 and oxidize at high temps. Don't cook with olive oil either, save it for dressings and a little drizzle of flavor out of the pan.

    Coconut oil is Omega-6 as well ...

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