I've described some of the changes I've made in my diet (here and here) to try and be healthier. One of the small changes I've made is to switch out the bad fats for the good fats.
The only fats I use right now are EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), Organic Butter, and Coconut Oil.
I already knew the benefits of EVOO and I understood the importance of switching out butter for margarine, but I'd never really heard of Coconut Oil. As I began to research it I became more and more interested in the health claims it promised.
Some of the benefits I read about are:
~ helps you lose weight and maintain a healthy weight
~ lowers your cholesterol
~ improves diabetes and chronic fatigue
~ improves symptoms of IBS, Crohn's disease, and other digestive disorders
~is antibacterial, antiviral, and anti fungal
~increases metabolism and helps promote healthy thyroid function
~ rejuvenates skin and hair
Coconut oil contains a medium chain fatty acid called lauric acid. Lauric acid is very prominent in the saturated fat of human breast milk and is essential to child development.
I've been putting a tablespoon of coconut oil in our oatmeal each morning and I've also been adding it to our homemade granola, and other baked products.
I can't vouch for all of the above benefits of the oil, but I can tell you some of the benefits our family has noticed since switching to coconut oil 9 months ago.
~After dealing with knee pain for years, my husband is able to run up and down the stairs with no pain at all (and we live in a 3 story house).
~ My cholesterol and blood pressure have remained low even though my chronic kidney disease should be causing them to rise. Hubs will be having his physical in a few weeks and we'll see how is levels are.
~ With our at-home blood pressure monitor, we have noticed that his blood pressure has dropped for the first time in 5 years even though his medication has remained the same.
~ My chronically dry skin is actually not "ashy" this year.
~ I have an under active thyroid and I have not had to increase my medication.
~ Here's the kicker - no one in our family has had a cold since last February - and I work in a preschool.
I've been ordering my Coconut oil from Tropical Traditions. I wait until they have a buy one gallon - get one free sale and then I'm set for a while. Coconut oil has a very long shelf life. It is solid, like shortening, below 76 degrees and liquid above that temperature. I fill a jar from the gallon bucket and keep it in my pantry for easier use.
If you decide to try it, don't eat too much at first. Let your body acclimate to it. It can work like a de-tox ingredient, so you don't want to overdo it - if you get my drift!
***Now, I'm not a medical professional and I don't wish to give anyone advice on how they should eat. I'm just sharing how a dietary change has made an effect on our family. Please do your own research before deciding to add a different food to your diet.
Have you switched over to coconut oil yet? Let me know if you try it!
I've been reading about coconut oil. Does it have a coconut flavor? When you use it in baked goods, do you use coconut oil to replace the entire amount of oil called for in the recipe? And in baked goods, can it be used in place of solid fats such as butter and shortening? *whew* Sorry for all the questions!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to try this!! I'll add it as a secret and see if anyone in my house notices! I'd love to lower Chris' BP and chol. levels and he probably could use a good detox! haha
ReplyDeleteReally interesting...gonna have to read up on that one! I'd love to get rid of knee and joint pain! Is there an added benefit of smelling like a bathing beach beauty? Because my hubby would love that. Heh-heh.
ReplyDeleteHey Donna Rae,
ReplyDeleteThe virgin coconut oil has a coconut taste, but the Expeller-pressed oil (the kind I buy) does not. I replace the coconut oil for the same amount of butter or oil in a recipe. Because it can be a solid or liquid, depending on the temperature, I use it to replace all of my fats. I use olive oil in my savory dishes because I like the distinctive flavor it adds. I hope this helps!
Coconut Oil is on my list of things to buy, I need more room in my budget! LOL Thanks for the warning about taking it slow - I don't tend to do that with new stuff Haha. I'll be keeping an eye out for the BOGO sale; I didn't know about that!
ReplyDeleteI am going to have to order some. : )
ReplyDeleteHey Kelly:
ReplyDeleteDr. Oz was just espousing the benefits of coconut oil on his show today. Good stuff. If it helps that much with the joints I may just have to make the switch.
Heidi D. in Bellevue, WA
Kelly I bought some organic extra virgin coconut oil today at the health food store and made homemade whole wheat buttermilk waffles with it as the fat and they were amazing! I don't know if it can work that fast but I have been having a lot of inflammation in my lungs and a few hours after dinner it appears it may be cleared up! Thanks so much for sharing these tips. I am going to pass them on to some of my friends.
ReplyDelete