Learn more about this tasty superfood.
You may think of coconut as a sweet treat found in some of your favorite desserts, but this superfood is actually a nutritional powerhouse that is eaten in a variety of ways, and in every type of dish imaginable, from sweet to savory. You can find it in many forms, from milk to flour to oil, and each has health benefits that are hard to find elsewhere.Discover tasty ways to add this superfood to your meal plan with some of our best coconut recipes, and learn more about the health benefits of this healthful fruit below.
You’ll love these COCONUT RECIPES:
- No Bake Chocolate Coconut Macaroons
- Apple Cinnamon Coconut Smoothie
- Coconut Curry Cauliflower
- Slow Cooker – Curried Coconut Vegetable Soup Recipe
- Slow Cooker Tangy Coconut Black Bean Soup Recipe
- Coconut Water
For a complete list of superfoods, check out 50 Superfoods: The Ultimate Shopping List.
1. It’s One of the Most Eaten Foods in the World
While it may seem like an exotic ingredient to a lot of us, to a good portion of the world, it’s eaten on a regular basis, and it shows. In Polynesia, as well as many Asian countries that eat coconut as a staple food, they have considerably lower instances of heart disease, diabetes and cancer. Obesity rates are significantly lower as well.
2. It’s Full of Heart Healthy Fats
While the fat in coconut oil is saturated, it’s not the same saturated fat as what you might find in red meat. This plant based fat is full of lauric acid, as well as heart healthy medium chain fatty acids. These work wonders in protecting your heart, as well as your bones and joints.
Check out these 101 Uses for Coconut Oil.
3. It Helps You Stay Full
Coconut is naturally high in fiber, something missing in a lot of processed foods. Fiber helps keep your blood sugar down and expands in your stomach, meaning you stay full for much longer than eating foods void of this vital nutrient. When combined with the heart health fat also found in coconut, adding just a bit of shredded coconut to your morning oatmeal can make a huge difference in keeping your calories in check.
4. It Provides Quick Energy
Before you reach for that energy drink, sugary coffee, or soda, try coconut milk or water. It will give you an amazingly quick, nutritious energy boost that won’t drag you down soon after.
5. It’s Great for Your Immune System
Coconut provides amazing benefits to your immune system and can keep you from getting sick. The oil can provide healing properties when ingested, but it’s also great for your skin and hair.
Adding coconut to your diet is an easy way to quickly boost energy, add heart healthy fats, and keep your stomach full to combat obesity and excess weight. You can use the milk, oil, flour, or flakes in almost any type of cuisine, making it easy to add to your diet.
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I use coconut milk as a creamer in my morning coffee instead of synthetic creamer. I also use coconut oil for fried pork chops, fried eggs, Asian stir-fries and general pan searing for other meats.