the truth about coconut

I know that coconut has a lot of saturated fats. I read that it is healthy for weight loss. is  it true? some people say that it helps burn more calories and gives the body more energy. Personally, I have never heard of anybody eats coconut if they are on a diet to lose weight. 

so what is the truth?

Original Post by safina1:

I know that coconut has a lot of saturated fats Yup. I read that it is healthy for weight loss Yup. is  it true? some people say that it helps burn more calories and gives the body more energy eh, maybe not not enough to make much of a difference.  

People are always looking for a magic bullet. No reliable evidence out there that it's made out of coconut.

Coconut Oil is great for you skin, your hair..your digestive tract. The list goes on and on. Nothing is a magic bullet, but there are great benefits of natural ingredients like coconut oil. During WW2 coconut oil got a bad reputation through propaganda because it was so expensive at the time( also when margirine was invented...which has one step different of being plastic.) I cook with coconut oil and the calories is a kicker! But i feel like it does help out with my digestive health a lot more than cooking with butter or olive oil and i use it sparingly.  Hope this helps.

heres a link with a few benefits coconut oil has too.

http://www.organicfacts.net/organic-oils/orga nic-coconut-oil/health-benefits-of-coconut-oi l.html

Everything in moderation? I wouldn't go basing your diet around it.  But it shouldn't hurt to have some once in a while as long as you balance out the saturated fats for the day (you still need some saturated fats in your diet!)

I know I was warned not to drink too many coconut drinks on my all-inclusive resort vacation because coconut has a laxative effect.

It was too bad because the coconut drinks were fantastic.

All-inclusive resorts = NOT good for weight loss.

I am so not helpful. 

coconut oils are commonly used in a lot of supplements... because even though they are high in saturated fats, the certain type of saturated fats they contain do not register the same way in the body as typical saturated fats do (like sat. fats from dairy or meat)

in conclusion the fats in coconut are actually very good for you

I eat lots of coconut milk.  Thai cuisine is my big weakness.  But I'm at a very healthy weight.  It just depends on your diet as a whole.  If coconut milk is the worst thing you're eating, you're probably ok.  If you're using it to top off a t-bone steak, maybe not so good.

coconut contains lauric acid a healthy fat also found in mother milk, palm kernal oil (not the same as palm oil), and both goat and cows milk.

There are some studies that indicate it may raise metabolism, but nothing conclusive.

IE, it is healthy when used in moderation as part of a healhy diet, but it is not a magic bullet that will make you loose tons of weight with out a healthy diet and exercise plan.

However making popcorn in coconut oil, tastes and smells delish (almost like movie theater popcorn.

I cook my rice in coconut milk.
My girls favourite treat growing up was a whole coconut baked in the oven and consumed warm.  They loved taking a hammer to it and opening it up.

Coconut gets a bad rep, but it is full of nutrition.  Everything in moderation.

i am actually talking about coconuts macaroon bites that I love very much.

Something like this.

http://www.cookinggodsway.com/wp-content/uplo ads/2009/06/coconut-macaroon-bites.jpg

I know this must be very high in saturated fats.I eat about 4 or 5 of them and i am trying to estimate how many calories per one. there is no added sugar or anything.

so my question now can I eat them as a snack or pre/ post workout snacks and still lose weight ?