Coconut oil is one of my favourite products, it has some great health benefits and can be used in so many different ways. I recently posted a pic of some new coconut oil I had bought on Instagram and found that quite a few people weren’t sure what to do with it and therefore if it is worth the money. Before I get on to some of coconut oils many uses, here are just a few of the health benefits of coconut oil:
- Coconut oil contains medium chain triglycerides (MCT’s) which have been shown to increase energy expenditure as opposed to longer chain fats. One study found that 15-30 grams of MCTs per day increased 24 hour energy expenditure by 5%, totalling about 120 calories per day (source).
- Coconut oil contains Lauric acid which has anti microbial properties
- Studies have shown that MCT’s can help you to feel fuller and therefore eat less
- Coconut oil also has great moisturising and protective effects when used topically.
Impressive eh? Here are my top ten ways to use coconut oil:
1. Roasting vegetables
Coconut oil is more staple than other cooking fats and therefore does not breakdown into harmful free radicals when heated to a high temperature. This makes it perfect for roasting veggies such as sweet potato, squash, peppers, cauliflower etc in the oven.
2. Stir frying
Just as above, if you are using a high heat coconut oil is the best oil to use. I add a tbsp when I am stir frying chicken or turkey as well as when I’m stir frying the veggies.
3. Blended coffee
Blended coffee is a great way to enjoy coconut oil as it creates a foamy dairy free latte which is perfect for having first thing as that coconut oil will help to keep you full all morning.
4. Smoothies
Adding some coconut oil to smoothies will add a little creaminess and a source of fat to support the absorption of fat soluble vitamins
5. Porridge
Stir some into porridge to add a light coconut flavour
6. Use as a facial moisturiser
Simply melt some coconut oil between your hands and smooth into your face for ultimate moisturisation
7. Make it into my ‘feed your face’ face mask
I love my ‘feed your face’ face mask and smoothie – it’s an excellent way to get the benefits of coconut oil into your skin
8. Use on patches of dry skin
It’s great rubbed into elbows and feet to reduce dry skin
9. On stretch marks
Rub the oil into new stretch marks to help them fad or older ones to keep reducing their appearance and keep the skin supple
10. Make into my coconut and maca hormone balancing snack balls
These are delicious and pack a serious nutrient punch, make them now!
You will find that some brands of coconut oil have more of a coconut taste, generally the coconut flavour is not overpowering for most dishes, although it does work well in curries and other recipes where coconut is an ingredient. I have tried several different brands of coconut oil including Biona, Groovy Food, Fushi and Pukka have all been great.
Have you tried coconut oil before? What is your favourite way to use it?
I live in Kerala, the land of coconuts. We use it for everything, and it is also the cheapest as they are locally sourced.
Oh I would love to live in a land of coconuts, fresh coconut is amazing :-)
I love it in my ‘fatte’s my dairy free lattes! Also its my all over body moisturiser/sunscreen – love the sound of you face mask – i am just not sure if i could manage to not eat it before putting it on my face! it sounds tasty!
Haha, yep I do end up eating more of that face mask than ends up on my face ;-)
Informative post :)..I love roasting veggies in coconut oil and now I want to try adding it into my oats. Have you ever tried that? I’d like to know how much of flavor it gives oatmeal and whether it changes the consistency in a good way? I’m still slightly apprehensive with adding a fat into something and having it not do anything while adding calories..
It depends how much you use, just a teaspoon gives it a very light flavour and blends in with the oats really well – no greasy or oiliness. I know what you mean about the concern on calories, but most fats (apart from trans fats) really are packed with a lot of nutrition – so whether you are getting flavour or nutrition they are worth the calories xxx
10g dark choc drops and one teaspoon of coconut oil melted together and used as a dip for fruit = heaven :-)
That sounds amazing Sandra!
I don’t use cocnut oil nearly enough. I think it’s because I find it quite a tricky substance to use. What I mean is that you can’t just pour it out or spray it, it’s very compact and needs to be softened. When I’m in a rush to cook dinner I’ll often just reach for olive oil of the FryLight stuff (ignoring all the chemicals in that…) as it’s just more practical when I’m rushed. I really should make time for it though by the sounds of it!
I do know what you mean about it’s ease of use. When roasting veg I just add a blob of it, wack it in the oven for 5 minutes to melt then toss the veg again, yum!
I adore coconut oil. It’s great for cooking and pampering my skin too. I love to use it on my feet during a pedicure.
Ooh love the idea of using in on feet!
I keep a jar in my kitchen AND my bathroom now …. I love the stuff :-)
I am SO trying Sandra M’s idea YUMMY!
I know that sounds like an amazing dip!
Love coconut oil! It’s pretty brilliant for making raw choc too!
Of course, how could I have forgotten that one! x
Coconut is one of my favourite oils, hands down. I love using it as a moisturizer and hair mask, as well as using it as a replacement for butter in a lot of my baking recipes. It’s also great spread on toast with a little bit of honey. Omigosh… want.now.
Oh I could just have some on toast with honey right now, yum!
Great post! coconut oil is so versatile thanks so much for all the great tips, I’m keen to try making my own blended coffee soon! speaking of oils, interestingly Sesame Oil (also known as Gingelly oil) is used a Lot in south Asian culture for promote thick healthy hair, good skin and also in cooking. Old wives tales say that it helps with menstruation cramps! I was brought up on it and hardly have any period pains at all ! :) xxx
Thanks Chrissy! Sesame oil sounds amazing, I used to have some ages ago I think I need to restock!
I love coconut oil although I tend to use it in sweet things really- cooking an apple in a little coconut oil makes a fab pancake topper, and I do like using it in baked goods too although I don’t use it for that all the time as it does give a faint coconut flavour.
I can’t often taste it in baked things, maybe I’m not as sensitive to it – although I do think the brand makes a difference. That pukka one seems to taste more coconutty to me!
I love using coconut oil as a hair mask – I like to massage it into my scalp & for split ends & leave it for an hour or two… works like a dream!
I must try this, have not used it on my hair yet, I bet that makes it smell amazing too :-)
I bloody love coconut oil. It’s great in Vegan bars/desserts. I like using it as a hair treatment every couple of weeks. There is pretty much nothing it can’t do!
How could I forget vegan desserts, I love it with cashews to make raw cheesecake filling :-)
I love coconut oil and I use it for everything not just cooking but I just can’t bring myself to put it in coffee…I love my coffee just too much.
I really got into coconut oil this year. I absolutely love the flavour and use it for everything. I even fry eggs in it. Totally agree on the roast veggies and sometimes sauté asparagus in it as well. I’ve not used it in my hair yet but I’ve heard great things about it.