The Diet Solution Program: Focus on Food: Coconut

вторник, 8 ноября 2011 г.

Focus on Food: Coconut

I’m focusing on coconut this week, an extremely versatile fruit/nut that I’m using more and more in my cooking. Read on!

Fun facts: Coconut palm trees are a distant relative to grasses and are therefore very tolerant of high salt environments. This is why you always see coconut trees growing near the ocean! In Sanskrit, the coconut palm tree is called “kalpa vriksha” which means “the tree that supplies all that is needed to live.” (Source: David Wolfe, Superfoods, p. 203)

Nutritional kick: As with many foods, coconuts contain their most potent nutrition and health benefits when eaten at their young and raw state. The clear water found inside coconuts is extremely high in electrolytes and has a cooling effect in the body. As a superfood, the nutritional benefits of coconut flesh, oil, and water are innumerable. A few of the top benefits include: improving digestion and vitamin absorption, supporting the formation of healthy cholesterol in our liver (HDL), boosting metabolism, and providing energy to the body (the saturated fat in coconuts (medium-chain fatty acids) is healthy and easy for the body to quickly convert into energy). (Source: David Wolfe, Superfoods, p. 205-207)

How to eat: In addition to drinking coconut water, the soft and creamy flesh inside young coconuts is wonderful as a creamy base for ice creams, smoothies, or other creamy drinks (mature coconuts contain hard flesh and no water inside). Coconut milk is a great creamy addition to soups and stews that you want to thicken up. It’s a healthy vegan alternative to milk or cream and can be used as a base for cream sauces on pasta or rice. Natural coconut milk does not have a strong coconut flavor like artificial coconut products have. The possibilities are endless.

Tip: When you buy coconut butter/oil, make sure to look for raw and unrefined varieties. Most coconut oil found at traditional grocery stores has been processed and treated at high heats giving it a bad smell and flavor. Do some research on good brands and spend the extra couple of dollars to get the raw stuff. You won’t regret it.

Check out some of my recipes containing coconut products and let me know if try them out!