Coconut Oil, An Amazingly Healthy Oil & Fabulous For Cooking&Burning Fat

            Coconut oil is definitely a staple in my daily food intake because of it’s amazing health properties and because this oil is highly thermogenic(burns calories by means of giving off heat.) Coconut oil raises body temperature slightly which allows you to burn more calories by giving off more heat. Coconut oil is a MCT (MEDIUM CHAIN TRIGLYCERIDE). It is digested and utilized differently. . Medium-chain fatty acids such as coconut oil are not packaged into lipoproteins but go to the liver where they are converted into energy.  They are not stored to any significant degree as body fat. Medium-chain fatty acids produce energy. Other dietary fats such as polyunsaturated fats produce body fat and decrease thyroid production.Beyond the metabolism enhancing effects that coconut oil offers, it is also great because it helps detoxify the liver, keep immune system strong(because of Lauric Acid and Monolaurin), helps thyroid function, helps your body absorb nutrients, and is great for cooking because it has a higher smoke point than olive oil. 

   1 tablespoon of coconut oil does has 14 grams of saturated fat but no need to worry. Coconut oil or coconut milk is a healthy fat that the body can deal with and it doesn’t raise cholesterol because of how coconut oil is digested and utilized in the body. Also, saturated fat is needed for proper hormone function & production (especially sex hormones such as estrogen and testosterone) so it is healthy to include some in your daily eating from a healthy source.  Coconut oil also helps brain function too!    : ). When eating a proper dose of coconut oil with a meal such as 1 tablespoon, it helps you to feel satisfied because it adds flavor and helps with insulin levels.

If you are just starting out wanting to add coconut oil to your diet, start out small with a teaspoon because it detoxifies the liver and body, if your not ready for a whole tablespoon, it could make your stomach feel sick. Eventually, you can work your way up to a whole tablespoon per meal. Cooking with coconut oil is great because it can withstand heat and you dont lose the benefits from heating it like you do with olive oil or other oils. My favorite ways to add coconut oil to my diet is in protein shakes, and cooking my veggies in it on the stove with onions, garlic, and sometimes ginger. Stay tuned for some of my favorite recipes w/ coconut oil on my next blog such as Low carb gluten free brownies and chocolate coconut bars :). Here are a just a few until next week. *PLEASE BE SURE TO USE ORGANIC EXTRA VIRGIN UNREFINED COCONUT OIL. MY FAVORITE BRAND IS NUTIVA:).

Vanilla Banana Coconut Protein Shake

2/3 cup So Delicious Vanilla coconut milk (unsweetened)

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon melted Coconut oil

1 scoop vanilla whey protein

1 small banana ( you can use a frozen one too! )

4 or 5 ice cubes

2 or 3 packets Nu Nu naturals Stevia( I really like this brand)…or truvia or purevia.

Blend all ingredients in a blender and enjoy!

—-VANILLA BANANA PEANUT BUTTER PROTEIN SHAKE—–

1 scoop vanilla whey protein powder

1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 small banana

1 tablespoon peanut butter or sunflowerseed butter

2/3 cup vanilla so delicious coconut milk Unsweeetened(picture below)

4 to 5 ice cubes

2 to 3 packets sweetner such as Nu nu naturals Stevia or truvia or purevia

Blend all together and enjoy! 🙂

These are fast and easy to whip up in the mornings or for a quick snack. 🙂

****For awesome blogs and recipes check out Natalie Jill’s website below.

The first link is her website and the second link is a You tube video with her showing an easy recipe using coconut oil, shrimp, and veggies :). CHECK THEM OUT! : )

http://nataliejillfitness.com/

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_5hq8IaiqI