Coconut Oil??
nicoleoppermanarcher1
Posts: 2 Member
So I've been reading all of these wonderful things about unrefined coconut oil. It's great for your hair, skin and best of all weight loss. So I bite the bullet and buy some Organic Virgin Coconut Oil. I bring it to work and try some in my green tea (yes, oil in my tea lol) There's quite a few different ways to consume VCO. I just now noticed how many calories are in this oil!! How am I supposed to stay within my calories and take the recommended 3 tbsp a day when this stuff is 120 calories a tbsp?? Does anyone else incorporate VCO in their diet?
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I use it, based on my doctor's recommendation. However, I use it as a substitute for other fats. I will put it into soups instead of butter or oil, and spread it on toast. The calories definitely count like normal calories. I'm not sure where the 3T a day advice is from. That seems like a lot to me if you are trying to lose weight.0
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It's a fat like any other. It's nice to cook with if the light coconut flavor fits with the dish, it has a relatively high smoke point.
It's also lovely for skin and hair. (applied to skin and hair, that is. You don't get the calories that way.)
There is no reason to add it as an extra fat unless your fat macros are too low. All fats and oils are essentially the same, caloricly. The stuff about OMG TEH WEIGHT LOSS MAJICKS are woo and broscience. There is nothing special about coconut oil that will make you lose weight, that's just nonsense.0 -
Checks thread has the necessary woo and broscience comment
Leaves satisfied0 -
There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to consume 3 tablespoons of coconut oil per day.
Of course you can't fit it into your goal, it's still FAT! Fat has 9 calories per gram. Just because it's from a coconut does not mean that it's somehow a-okay and low-calorie.
If you CAN fit it into your day, and you enjoy it, by all means. If you can't, theres no reason to stress yourself out trying to eat coconut oil.
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rainbowbow wrote: »There is absolutely no reason whatsoever to consume 3 tablespoons of coconut oil per day.
Of course you can't fit it into your goal, it's still FAT! Fat has 9 calories per gram. Just because it's from a coconut does not mean that it's somehow a-okay and low-calorie.
If you CAN fit it into your day, and you enjoy it, by all means. If you can't, theres no reason to stress yourself out trying to eat coconut oil.
I agree with this.0 -
If you like it - eat it and log it. If not, don't. It wont speed up weight loss any faster than using 3 tbspn of say, butter, each day.
also, make sure you are weighing the tbsp, not just scooping or you could be using much more than 3tbspn a day.
BTW - I drink bulletproof coffee on occasion (I prefer butter to CO, personally), but I've never heard of it in tea. I might have to try it.0 -
Be careful before applying to to your face. It is extremely comedogenic for some people. Spot test to be safe, some people end up with huge breakouts even weeks after applying it.It's also lovely for skin and hair. (applied to skin and hair, that is. You don't get the calories that way.)0 -
I use it for fat bombs- yumm or to fry coconut shrimp-- that's about all
Have tried it for other cooking uses but if the flavor doesn't fit the food- its not very good
Not sure why you would want to "take" three tbls a day though... don't understand this0 -
The claim is that it boosts your metabolism. That's where the 3 tbsp / day comes in.0
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nicoleoppermanarcher1 wrote: »The claim is that it boosts your metabolism. That's where the 3 tbsp / day comes in.
That's untrue.
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nicoleoppermanarcher1 wrote: »The claim is that it boosts your metabolism. That's where the 3 tbsp / day comes in.
That's also where the woo and broscience come in.
"Boosting" or "jumpstarting" your metabolism is not an actual thing. So, don't buy what they're trying to sell you.0 -
nicoleoppermanarcher1 wrote: »The claim is that it boosts your metabolism. That's where the 3 tbsp / day comes in.
Nope. It will increase satiety, just like any other fat. If you look closer, most of the people who add it to coffee and such are doing LCHF, so they have more than enough room for it every day. Others are extremely active and have plenty of extra calories for the day. Probably not going to be much help to someone doing low fat and low cal.0 -
Well, I guess I will be the devil's advocate here. I have been using coconut oil for two weeks now. I use 3 tablespoons a day and I log it every day. As of this date, I have not exceeded my calorie goals. I have lost 12 pounds, 9 inches in the waist, 7 inches in the hips, 6 inches in the stomach, and 6 inches in the bust. I have absolutely no appetite. I have to make myself eat and I make sure I eat well over 1000 calories a day. I have not increased my activity at all. I have not limited any food choices. I just eat much smaller portions, as I am full very quickly. I would not be able to do that if I was hungry.
Every person is different, so what works well for one, may not work for another. I will always believe mindset plays a big role in anything we do. I've noticed some other changes since starting using the oil. However, I won't go into all of that. I just know that something has made a huge difference for me. Right now, the evidence leans toward the coconut oil.
On my profile, there is a picture taken exactly one week apart, and 10 pounds down. Some say they can see a difference. I can see and feel it, so that's what's important to me.
To each his own! We all are on this journey. Wish it were easy, but it's not. It's a battle every single day. It's a battle I plan on winning. So if the time comes that it appears coconut oil is not helping, then I will back up and punt. Until then, I am going to keep on keeping on.0 -
nicoleoppermanarcher1 wrote: »The claim is that it boosts your metabolism. That's where the 3 tbsp / day comes in.
It doesn't. If you're maintaining your weight, adding 360 calories of ANYTHING will cause weight gain, not loss. There is no magic foods. Calories from coconut oil can be stored as fat just like calories from anything if you're in a surplus.
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i would not want to eat 3 tbsp of fat period! i get enough fat in my diet LOL
and... dont believe everything the interwebz tellz youz. its full of the ubiquitous woo and broscience.0 -
debraainsworth wrote: »Well, I guess I will be the devil's advocate here. I have been using coconut oil for two weeks now. I use 3 tablespoons a day and I log it every day. As of this date, I have not exceeded my calorie goals. I have lost 12 pounds, 9 inches in the waist, 7 inches in the hips, 6 inches in the stomach, and 6 inches in the bust. I have absolutely no appetite. I have to make myself eat and I make sure I eat well over 1000 calories a day. I have not increased my activity at all. I have not limited any food choices. I just eat much smaller portions, as I am full very quickly. I would not be able to do that if I was hungry.
Every person is different, so what works well for one, may not work for another. I will always believe mindset plays a big role in anything we do. I've noticed some other changes since starting using the oil. However, I won't go into all of that. I just know that something has made a huge difference for me. Right now, the evidence leans toward the coconut oil.
On my profile, there is a picture taken exactly one week apart, and 10 pounds down. Some say they can see a difference. I can see and feel it, so that's what's important to me.
To each his own! We all are on this journey. Wish it were easy, but it's not. It's a battle every single day. It's a battle I plan on winning. So if the time comes that it appears coconut oil is not helping, then I will back up and punt. Until then, I am going to keep on keeping on.
I 100% agree that even if the placebo effect is working for you, that is enough reason to keep using it. That is why most have told the OP that she should keep doing it if she likes it. If she gets the same placebo effect you get, it can't do anything but help as long as she sticks with her calorie goals.
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You're supposed to replace other fats you are already eating, not just eat coconut oil on top of what you already eat. 3 tablespoons is 360 calories- your metabolism will not increase that much!!!
My understanding is that coconut oil is thermogenic COMPARED TO OTHER FATS. In other words, it takes more calories to process coconut oil that it does canola oil. So if you replace canola with coconut you will have a calorie benefit- though I suspect it is very small and not enough to make a significant difference. Certainly not enough to just eat coconut oil for fun.
However, it is healthier for you than many other oils and I like the taste of it, so I eat it on occasion- but to replace other calories, not to add more.
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Miranda Kerr eats 3 tablespoons of coconut oil a day. That's where that "recommendation" came from....0
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christinev297 wrote: »Miranda Kerr eats 3 tablespoons of coconut oil a day. That's where that "recommendation" came from....
who?
LOLOL0 -
callsitlikeiseeit wrote: »christinev297 wrote: »Miranda Kerr eats 3 tablespoons of coconut oil a day. That's where that "recommendation" came from....
who?
LOLOL
Haha i know right! She's an Aussie model, and does that Victoria's Secret show
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debraainsworth wrote: »Well, I guess I will be the devil's advocate here. I have been using coconut oil for two weeks now. I use 3 tablespoons a day and I log it every day. As of this date, I have not exceeded my calorie goals. I have lost 12 pounds, 9 inches in the waist, 7 inches in the hips, 6 inches in the stomach, and 6 inches in the bust. I have absolutely no appetite. I have to make myself eat and I make sure I eat well over 1000 calories a day. I have not increased my activity at all. I have not limited any food choices. I just eat much smaller portions, as I am full very quickly. I would not be able to do that if I was hungry.
Every person is different, so what works well for one, may not work for another. I will always believe mindset plays a big role in anything we do. I've noticed some other changes since starting using the oil. However, I won't go into all of that. I just know that something has made a huge difference for me. Right now, the evidence leans toward the coconut oil.
On my profile, there is a picture taken exactly one week apart, and 10 pounds down. Some say they can see a difference. I can see and feel it, so that's what's important to me.
To each his own! We all are on this journey. Wish it were easy, but it's not. It's a battle every single day. It's a battle I plan on winning. So if the time comes that it appears coconut oil is not helping, then I will back up and punt. Until then, I am going to keep on keeping on.
I find that when I have it in the morning, about an hour before my run, I can go a lot longer than average. If I run in the afternoon I struggle to get a 5k in. But if I have some coconut oil, I can run for an hour and feel fabulous. I also don't get hungry until lunch and don't need to eat a breakfast. (I just add a spoonful to my coffee.)0 -
[quote="jholloway05;31913752
I find that when I have it in the morning, about an hour before my run, I can go a lot longer than average. If I run in the afternoon I struggle to get a 5k in. But if I have some coconut oil, I can run for an hour and feel fabulous. I also don't get hungry until lunch and don't need to eat a breakfast. (I just add a spoonful to my coffee.) [/quote]
I'm glad you are having some results with it. The world is full of skeptics, but as long as we feel it is doing something for us, that's all that matters!
I've gotten to where I can tolerate just taking a spoonful of it without putting it in anything. I'm not a coffee drinker, so that let's that out. For a while, I stirred it in my grits, just so I could get it down. I was afraid, it wouldn't work, but it did for me. Now, I'm just getting a big spoonful swallowing it. Chasing it with water and a protein shake. That lasts me pretty much all day! I couldn't have lasted til lunch time before.
My niece started taking the capsules hoping it would keep her from eating at work. She goes to school all day and works in a restaurant at night. She told me last night, it had definitely given her more energy. She works tonight so anxious to see how she fares with eating at work.
As stated before, to each his own! If we all were alike this would be one boring world!
Good luck to you!0 -
I was 195 pounds when I started Sept 25. I incorporated 3 tablespoons of coconut oil a day which curved my appetite. I am now 168. When I start to binge, I go back to the coconut oil to reset weight loss. Forget the calories in it. Just eat a little less.0
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LizBelle2015 wrote: »I was 195 pounds when I started Sept 25. I incorporated 3 tablespoons of coconut oil a day which curved my appetite. I am now 168. When I start to binge, I go back to the coconut oil to reset weight loss. Forget the calories in it. Just eat a little less.
Coconut oil doesn't reset anything. Your success came from your hard work and sticking to calorie goals. Don't let coconut oil get the credit when it isn't due.
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I use coconut oil on my face daily. I'm 47 years old and really like the results I get:)0
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I use the coconut oil as a creamer in tea and coffee, has a lovely flavor. I agree that when I do have it in the morning and exercise right after I am able to last longer and go stronger haha. Maybe something to slip to the boys!0
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Susanna5781 wrote: »I agree that when I do have it in the morning and exercise right after I am able to last longer and go stronger haha.
Ha, so I can dump the Cialis now?
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Susanna5781 wrote: »I agree that when I do have it in the morning and exercise right after I am able to last longer and go stronger haha.
Ha, so I can dump the Cialis now?
we may be on to something!0 -
Susanna5781 wrote: »I agree that when I do have it in the morning and exercise right after I am able to last longer and go stronger haha.
Ha, so I can dump the Cialis now?
All you have to do is apply topically and really rub it in. Seems to work in many men, I hear.0 -
LizBelle2015 wrote: »I was 195 pounds when I started Sept 25. I incorporated 3 tablespoons of coconut oil a day which curved my appetite. I am now 168. When I start to binge, I go back to the coconut oil to reset weight loss. Forget the calories in it. Just eat a little less.
Coconut oil doesn't reset anything. Your success came from your hard work and sticking to calorie goals. Don't let coconut oil get the credit when it isn't due.
You know it is "hard work" swallowing those tablespoons of coconut oil at times, especially when you don't mix it with anything. So yeah, I will take that hard work! lol
Since I started using the oil, I'm down 15 pounds. Was not on MFP when I started, so only shows 8 pounds here. I'm well pleased with the results. Took my weekly "selfie" today. Put all 3 pics side by side, sent to my daughter and my niece. My niece said Holy Crap! My daughter said, Dang Mama! That's all I needed. I knew my eyes were not messing with me.
As said before, there is something different in my world. Right now, I'm giving coconut the credit. So I will just be cuckoo for coconut for now!0
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