Coconut Oil - what do I need to know?

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  • thecanface
    thecanface Posts: 1,180 Member
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    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
  • LavenderLeaves
    LavenderLeaves Posts: 195 Member
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    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
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    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: 12,951 Member
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    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
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    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
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    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: 12,951 Member
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    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: 9,925 Member
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    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
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    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
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    Laurend224 wrote: »
    Takes off waterproof mascara like a champ.

  • gleesongirl
    gleesongirl Posts: 12
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    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
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    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: 12,951 Member
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    I used to know a gal that uses it as lube.
  • successgal1
    successgal1 Posts: 996 Member
    edited February 2015
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    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: 1,902 Member
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    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
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    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
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    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: 6,411 Member
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    @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
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    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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