Food of The Day- Coconut Oil!

As with my previous food of the day (Quinoa), Coconut oil is an amazing source of nutrition. First, lets discuss coconut oils' versatility in cooking. Coconut oil can withstand high heat, so it is a great oil to use when cooking in a pan on the stove top. It will not burn away as quickly as many other oils. For example, while olive oil is super nutritious, it burns away very easily at high heat. Once olive oil starts to smoke and evaporate, the health benefits are being eliminated.
Coconut oil is also a great cooking oil if you are looking to add some flavor to your food. It has a nutty taste that goes great with shrimp, fish, etc. Look for UNrefined coconut oil; it is healthier and will have a bit more flavor. And of course, always buy organic!
I normally do not purchase many of my food products from Sam's Club, but they offer a great deal on a big tub of Tresomega Organic Unrefined Extra Virgin Coconut oil. You should be able to find the oil at your local store.

Now lets get to the most important part: the nutritional benefits of coconut oil! All oil is made up of fat. Pretty much all oils contain a ton of unsaturated fat. Some are high in monounsaturated fat (omega 3's) and some are high in polyunsaturated fat (omega 6's). Here's where it gets interesting...while we associate saturated fat as coming from animal and animal by-products, coconut oil is actually made up almost entirely of saturated fat! Therefore, it is solid at room temperature (like butter). But isn't saturated fat bad for you? Possibly, if you eat a ton of fatty meat and dairy products. But not the plant-based coconut oil! The saturated fat in coconut oil is actually good for you! It can even aid your weight loss efforts, help your cholesterol levels, and help your body burn more fat! 

Let me explain why: the saturated fat in coconut oil is made up of MCT's, or medium-chain triglycerides. MCT's are rapidly burned in the body and therefore do not have the propensity to store in the body as fat! Aside from the nutritious benefits of coconut oil, many people swear by it as a beauty product! Many people have noticed positive changes to their skin when applying it to their bodies, and even use it in their hair as a type of "leave in" conditioner! 

So the next time you are looking for a good oil to cook with, give coconut oil a try and you will see its beneficial and versatile properties. 

I hope you reach your destination, but your journey is what really counts! Until next time... L.D.