Coconut oil - good or bad for you?
amber22vanessa
Posts: 36 Member
I have read conflicting evidence on the Internet of the use of coconut oil to cook food. I usually use olive oil but once in a while use coconut oil too. Should I be using more of this?
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Replies
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Coconut oil is fine for you. Anything is fine in moderation, after all
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It's my understanding that the balance of evidence still leans toward olive oil over coconut oil, but I have no sources to share. Avocado oil is an up and comer, especially for higher heat.2
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I love cooking with coconut oil. I occasionally drizzle extra virgin oil on a salad. But coconut oil is my go to
Oil choice for food & skin...I've found great benefits for both uses.1 -
if i was using oil to cook, i'd use coconut as it's more heat stable. I use olive oil after cooking or on salads.1
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Coconut oil and olive oil are very close in terms of heat stability (smoke point). Here is a good summary:
Avocado oil: Smoke point: 520 degrees F. Use for searing, frying, grilling, roasting, baking and salad dressings. High in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat (70 per cent).
Coconut oil: Smoke point: 350 degrees F. Use for sautéeing and baking. It’s high in saturated fat (86 per cent). The saturated fat in coconut oil raises LDL (bad) blood cholesterol, but not nearly to the same extent as butter. Coconut oil also seems to raise HDL (good) cholesterol.
Extra virgin olive oil: Smoke point: 410 degrees F. Use for sautéeing and frying over medium-high heat, and salad dressings. A good source of vitamin E and antioxidants called polyphenols.
https://www.google.ca/amp/s/sec.theglobeandmail.com/life/health-and-fitness/health/smoke-point-matters-in-cooking-with-oil/article26569060/?service=amp?client=safari3 -
Good in moderation, but remember that all oils are unique and are best used in different situations. Not all oils are meant for high-temp cooking, as they can burn.1
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Coconut oil got a bad rap back when saturated fat was deemed dangerous and unhealthy. Now that (most) people know better, coconut oil is experiencing a resurgence of popularity.
I like coconut oil for my baking (and skin care). I like olive oil on roasted veggies.2 -
trixy22david wrote: »I have read conflicting evidence on the Internet of the use of coconut oil to cook food. I usually use olive oil but once in a while use coconut oil too. Should I be using more of this?
It is high in saturated fat (advised by my doctor to reduce it). I have to pass on coconut oil because I have cholesterol problems. I use olive oil instead.0 -
PennWalker wrote: »trixy22david wrote: »I have read conflicting evidence on the Internet of the use of coconut oil to cook food. I usually use olive oil but once in a while use coconut oil too. Should I be using more of this?
It is high in saturated fat (advised by my doctor to reduce it). I have to pass on coconut oil because I have cholesterol problems. I use olive oil instead.
There is that myth again. From a doctor no less.
Saturated fats are fine for people unless you are one of the unfortunate rare folks who have familial hypercholesterolemia. 6 -
I'm obsessed with coconut oil! I eat it (add to a tea or coffee), cook with it, bath in it and use it as lotion. Since eating it in tea and using it as lotion, my skin has cleared up big time!1
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Rushgirl82 wrote: »I'm obsessed with coconut oil! I eat it (add to a tea or coffee), cook with it, bath in it and use it as lotion. Since eating it in tea and using it as lotion, my skin has cleared up big time!
I put it on my eyelashes and cuticles before I go to bed at night. My son conditions his guitars with it
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Coconut oil is fine. I use it if the taste works better than olive oil (I do use olive oil more).
A couple of good pieces: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/03/02/dining/02Appe.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2015/12/24/ask-well-is-coconut-oil-a-healthy-fat/0 -
I doubt there is anything wrong with it when eaten sensibly (within goals) but it's too expensive IMO. EVOO taste better and is cheaper.0
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »I doubt there is anything wrong with it when eaten sensibly (within goals) but it's too expensive IMO. EVOO taste better and is cheaper.
I bought a huge 2.5 litre tub of extra virgin coconut oil at costco for $25 (in Canada). That'll last me months.
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Rushgirl82 wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »I doubt there is anything wrong with it when eaten sensibly (within goals) but it's too expensive IMO. EVOO taste better and is cheaper.
I bought a huge 2.5 litre tub of extra virgin coconut oil at costco for $25 (in Canada). That'll last me months.
I don't live near Canada. It's a lot more where I live. A tiny little jar is about $8.1 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »I doubt there is anything wrong with it when eaten sensibly (within goals) but it's too expensive IMO. EVOO taste better and is cheaper.
They taste different and there are some things coconut oil tastes better for, and other things EVOO, and other things that a less flavored oil is best for.1 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »I doubt there is anything wrong with it when eaten sensibly (within goals) but it's too expensive IMO. EVOO taste better and is cheaper.
They taste different and there are some things coconut oil tastes better for, and other things EVOO, and other things that a less flavored oil is best for.
Of course they taste different why else would I say EVOO tastes better? 2 -
I have familial hypercholesterolemia. I try to keep my saturated fats low even though plant sat fats aren't as bad as those from animals for my condition.
I prefer the taste of olive oil, to be honest, but for most people, it's a matter of preference really.1 -
Coconut oil is one of the "healthy" trendy fads of last year. There is no benefit to using it.3
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Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »I doubt there is anything wrong with it when eaten sensibly (within goals) but it's too expensive IMO. EVOO taste better and is cheaper.
They taste different and there are some things coconut oil tastes better for, and other things EVOO, and other things that a less flavored oil is best for.
Of course they taste different why else would I say EVOO tastes better?
They taste different. I'm not really wanting the taste of EVOO in some things. I don't want the taste of coconut in other things. And sometimes I don't want the taste of the oil at all.
I think you missed my point. One oil is not good for everything.1 -
Need2Exerc1se wrote: »Need2Exerc1se wrote: »I doubt there is anything wrong with it when eaten sensibly (within goals) but it's too expensive IMO. EVOO taste better and is cheaper.
They taste different and there are some things coconut oil tastes better for, and other things EVOO, and other things that a less flavored oil is best for.
Of course they taste different why else would I say EVOO tastes better?
They taste different. I'm not really wanting the taste of EVOO in some things. I don't want the taste of coconut in other things. And sometimes I don't want the taste of the oil at all.
I think you missed my point. One oil is not good for everything.
I didn't really miss it I just chose to address only one part because what oil is best depends on the person who is consuming the food. What you want to taste is not relevant to me.2 -
There are added benefits of both olive and coconut oils, they are both very high in salicylate and for that reason are antimicrobial. Could help if one is plagued by yeast overgrowth, as long as you do not react to salicylate.1
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coconut oil is my go to oil i use it to cook my chicken on a griddle and sometimes fish too. i also use butter occasionally in my eggs.1
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Are you talking refined or unrefined coconut oil? Unrefined has coconut taste and is for medium heat. Refined has no discernible taste and is for high heat.
I love avocado oil. It's my favorite oil. EVOO doesn't have a high smoke point so really isn't a great oil for roasting or cooking high heat.
Saturated fat isn't "bad". My cholesterol and triglycerides have improved while eating avocado oil and coconut oil as my main oil sources.3 -
goldthistime wrote: »Extra virgin olive oil: Smoke point: 410 degrees F.
Whoa! Not a good general rule! This depends greatly on how it's refined.
Most olive oils won't have this high of a smoke point.
Check the bottle before using it for frying.
(Same goes with any oils. Coconut oils vary quite a bit as well.)
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Just started using it. On a keto diet so im taking in all the fats I can. Ill let you know if I die or something7
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Wow thanks everyone!! Some really good information on here.....very helpful0
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IMO all oils should be used as sparingly as possible if at all. I saute veggies with water or broth. Works just as well, and cuts 100s of calories out of your diet.0
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