Coconut oil: Fad or superfood?

Healthy benefits of Coconut oil? Fad or superfood? I fell in love this summer, with coconut oil. I use it to moisturize my body after a shower, as the “cream” in my coffee, and to sauté my vegetables instead of olive oil. It is the best choice for frying because it is slow to oxidize, unlike olive oil, and resistant to rancidification. It is my favorite way to hydrate when I am relaxing at the lake, when I am so over good ol fashioned water☺. It helps prevent dehydration and is one of the highest sources of electrolytes. So what’s all the hype about coconut oil? New fad or is it here to stay?

We all know, that eating a “low fat” diet, is no way to trim your waistline and that good fats are here to stay in aiding us in weight loss. (If this is news for you, don’t beat yourself up, just call me and we will bring you up to speed. Information is constantly evolving, and it’s my job to keep you informed!). Coconut oil is largely saturated fat, but it is now getting more research and attention. Reason being is that research shows that the type of saturated fat in coconut oil may help increase good HDL (high density lipoproteins) and lower bad LDL (low density lipoproteins) cholesterol levels, reduce your risk for heart disease, AND lower blood pressure. Now that right there my friends, is why coconut oil is making the news. Now it has many other benefits, a few big ones include: it may help increase energy (did you hear me? This is my client’s number one complaint!), boost your immune system, and reduce inflammation. Although we have been trained to avoid saturated fats, we now know that not all are bad.

Coconut oil is made up of several medium- chain fatty acids like capric acid, caprylic acid, lauric acid, and caproic acid, which these can all increase your metabolism and help you lose weight. Bingo, muffin top be gone! Lauric acid may be the most common acid we have read about, known for its antifungal (great for candida), antibacterial, and antiviral properties, which all boost your immune system.

Here are more benefits surely worth reading:
Reduces risk of many types of cancer I
mproves conditions in those with diabetes and chronic fatigue
Improve Crohn’s, IBS, and other digestive disorders
Protects from ringworms and dermatitis Reduces hair loss and dandruff
Prevent wrinkles and rejuvenate your skin
Prevent dehydration
Improves thyroid function
BURNS FAT and improves your metabolism

So how do you start to incorporate my new found love? yes I am happy to share! Pick up some organic or virgin coconut oil, it does not need to be refined or “extra virgin”, and start by using 1-2 tbsp a day in your cooking. If at first you are not crazy about the taste, be patient, you too may fall in love. My other favorite way to use it is in my version of bulletproof coffee. Coconut oil and coconut milk are great alternatives to cow’s milk. They mimic cream in their richness and add the “latte” in your coffee, if you are open to that.

RECIPE:
Here is my half mast, full blast coffee treat
1 cup freshly brewed organic coffee half decaf
1 TSBP coconut oil
1 TBSP grass fed kerry gold butter
4 ish TBSP of coconut milk
*MUST use a blender for 5 seconds or so, otherwise you will have oily coffee. Total NO NO, coffee sin. If you are used to using a sweetener in your coffee, try it first. The coconut actually has a natural sweetener in it. Enjoy your half mast coffee blast and would love to hear what you think.

Learn more about using coconut oil for weight loss and sign up here for my FREEBIE: flatten your belly over night ebook. Believe it or not, it works! You will find it at the bottom of my website:)

www.shannonnickerson.com