Coconut Oil Health Benefits

Health Benefits of Coconut Oil Most people are afraid of eating anything that has a lot of “fat” nowadays, but there is a difference between “good fats” (i.e. saturated) and “bad fats” (i.e. trans fats, hydrogenated fats). Often, these bad fats are produced in food processing and are thus present in many foods that aren’t healthy to begin with, such as processed food. However, we have remember that, as humans, eating “good fats” (i.e. saturated fats found in avocados and coconut oil) are very important for our health and even our brain function.

Coconut oil is an example of an incredible oil that is actually considered a superfood. Coconut oil contains “saturated fat” which is a good fat that constitutes 50% of our cells’ membranes. These saturated fats are necessary in our body to strengthening our cell walls and protecting the inside of each cell.

Coconut oil has many other health benefits because of it’s unique combination of “good fats”. For example, the saturated fats in the oil play a vital role in the health of our bones, protect our liver from alcohol and other toxins, and ensure the proper use of the omega-3 fatty acids.

Virgin coconut oil is a medium-chain saturated fat (MCFA), and because of this it can actually will speed up weight loss, lower cholesterol, reduce the risk of heart attack and improve diabetic conditions. Furthermore, MCFA do not need the liver and gallbladder to digest them, which means instant energy and increased metabolic rate through thermogenesis in your body.

Coconut oil is actually quite beneficial to the immune system because it has antimicrobial and anti fungal properties. It can also target the thyroid and beef up the metabolisms, melting any abdominal fat quickly and is a surprisingly great addition to any weight loss program.

Eating Out and Portion Sizes

As much as we all try so hard to stay on that diet, reach that goal weight, or just try and live a more health-concious lifestyle, we all stop for fast food or need a “dinner-date-night” time and time again.

So often we go to the restaurant and think – “THIS MEAL COULD FEED A FAMILY OF FOUR!” I remember being at one restaurant in Ohio (USA) once and they asked me what “THREE SIDE DISHES” I would like with my chicken. I was in absolute shock and disbelief. Coming from Toronto, where you only get ONE side dish, this was crazy to me.

healthy-food-portion-size-eco-savy

Shockingly, portion sizes have increased FOUR TIMES since 1950! This is primarily in the USA/Canada though (for those reading this blog in different parts of the world- you’re the lucky ones) . Along with this statistic, American’s are on average 26 pounds heavier!! YIKES!!

So next time you go to the restaurant, try splitting a meal or eat half and take the rest home. 🙂 Or even better, order a salad as a side dish.