I thought coconut oil was really bad. Recently, I've seen it in recipes and some say it's a good healthy oil. On a TV program last weekend, they said it was not very heart healthy....
Gluten Free Forums - Elana's Pantry » ingredients
Coconut Oil?? Good or Bad?
(13 posts)-
Posted 2 years ago #
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I have switched to using coconut oil - almost exclusively. You can find A LOT of great information here: http://www.tropicaltraditions.com
I highly recommend their book - while it is very self-promoting, it does contain great general information about coconut oil and the many health benefits.
Mary Enig is also a great author that teaches about the benefits of alternative oils (those not embraced by the mainstream).
Good luck and enjoy those healthy fats!!!
Posted 2 years ago # -
I wondered if you can substitue coconut oil for the grapeseed in her desserts? Anyone have any idea? thanks :)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Grapeseed oil is fluid at room temp and even out of the fridge. Coconut oil must be heated to become liquid. I don't think it will work in the Winter months so much as a dressing oil. I think it's more a "fat" than an oil, if you think about it in those ways. I like grapeseed oil, as it's a good innocous oil, as I don't use canola/rapeseed oil, or soy (shudder!)
Posted 2 years ago # -
hey, thanks, blukat! appreciate it :)
Posted 2 years ago # -
Coconut oil is VERY good for you! Yes, it is a saturated fat and no, saturated fat is not bad for your heart unless it is of the hydrogenated variety (yes, that includes Crisco). Coconut oil is a fat that will help raise your HDL (the good cholesterol) and the higher your HDL is, the lower your risk is for heart disease. SO, the more the better! I love coconut oil and use it all the time. The good stuff is a little pricey but sooooo worth it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
I use coconut oil in place of the grapeseed oil in all of Elana's recipes. The only thing I had a problem with is the lemon bars - that was a disaster but could have been something besides the oil too.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Coconut oil is liquid above 76 degrees Fahrenheit, and solid below. I keep my quart jar stored above the refrigerator where it is warmer, but if the oil is solid, I put the amount I need into a glass measuring cup and it only takes a few seconds to liquify in the microwave on the very lowest setting. If you don't like microwaves, this is easily done on the stove as well.
Coconut oil is super healthy, just make sure you get a good quality one. I like the Expeller-Pressed Coconut Oil from Wilderness Family Naturals as it has not coconut flavor or smell and is minimally processed. I have no connection to the company (I live in Europe), just like their product. I brought a case with me when we moved here almost 3 years ago and am on my last jar. :-(
Bruce Fife has some good books on coconut oil if you want to do more reading.
Posted 2 years ago # -
the website, http://www.nutritiondata.com rates coconut oil as being highly inflammatory in the body. Inflammation is a silent killer. I limit my intake to 1 tsp per day, and include lots of anti-inflammatory foods in my diet to balance it out.
Posted 2 years ago # -
My husband is on the "Detoxx Diet" (for neuro-toxicity) and one of the foods recommended is Coconut Butter. I searched and ordered Artisana brand online and it's excellent. Coconut Butter contain the whole coconut... very creamy and delicious smeared on Elana's "Simple Bread".
Posted 2 years ago # -
lisastafford, I wouldn't go by http://www.nutritiondata.com for my health info, I think they just tout the 'official' government take on nutrition, which hasn't done the American public any good. Do a little more independent research, read books by Bruce Fife, Sally Fallon, and Mary Enig. They are very knowledgeable on the health benefits of coconut oil.
Posted 2 years ago # -
Babovka, thanks for that. I will continue to research it.
Posted 2 years ago # -
"Naturally" saturated fats such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil, butter, and even the fat in beef or lamb that has been raised on grass and NOT on corn, are all very healthy. We consumed all of these before heart disease became a problem. Heart disease went up when we switched to over heated and non traditional vegetable fats including corn oil, safflower oil, cottonseed oil, and more recently the GMO canola oil. A few good web pages on the cholesterol MYTH are http://www.SpaceDoc.net and http://www.Thincs.org There are also great articles and information on the original 58 year old Price-Pottenger Nutrition Foundation's web site at http://www.ppnf.org. Elana's recipes are fabulous. I always substitute yacon syrup for agave, to make them even healthier.
Posted 2 years ago #
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