coconut oil to speed weight loss?
 

Has anyone tried this? I read an article in this week's Woman's World about how the oil boosts the metabolism and decided to give it a try since my weight loss has been very small despite my exercising at least 1.5 hours/ day and limiting my calories to an average of 2000 everyday. I went to my local Vitamin Shoppe and asked for the coconut oil as the article says to try health food stores for the oil. It was rather funny because the man who worked at the store said something along the lines of "Coconut oil?! What is it with coconut oil? People have been coming in here all morning for it! I just sold my last jar!" I explained to him that there was an article in a magazine about it boosting weight loss. He said the same thing happened a few years ago and the store ran out quickly then, too.
So, I was upset at not getting any oil, but decided to try my local grocery store (Shoprite for those in the NJ area). They had it in their health food aisle with the organic foods. I believe it was $6.59 for a 14 oz. jar. The article recommends using 2-3 tbsps of the oil daily. You can sautee your foods in it or use it as dressing along with spices over your salad- basically use it how you'd use any other cooking oil. It's solid at room temperature, so I guess you'd just nuke it in the microwave for a few seconds to melt it for salad dressing.
I figure I'll try it for a few weeks and see how it goes. The article says the best results come when you combine the oil with a low carb diet (makes sense because, like Dr. A said, fat doesn't make you fat, carbs do). I plan to use 2 tablespoons/day and I'm going to alter my menus and try to eat more chicken and turkey instead of of ground beef and other very fatty meats to make up for the extra calories in the oil. I'll report in to let anyone who's interested know how my scale likes the oil :) .

Hi Athena123,
I would definitley like to know how you did with the coconut oil..I've heard a lot about it...keep me posted! :wave:

I've been doing research about coconut oil tonight and found this posted in one of the google groups for alternative health--> Dr. Peat on coconut oil's benefits. It's pretty interesting.

really?!!!! interesting..

Hasn't worked for anyone on the forum that I've heard. But it's great for your hair and skin when taken internally and externally.

is organic coconut oil okay to take?

Hi Athena123,

I also would love to hear your findings. I bought a jar and have never opened it, I forgot about it until I found your thread. Maybe I will also start taking a couple of tablespoons a day and try it out.

Carol :rose: :rose:

Organic or virgin coconut oil is the best kind to atake. You should never take processed coconut oil.

Hi Y'All,

Mine is organic.

Carol :rose: :rose:

Today was day 2 of using the oil. I haven't weighed yet because I don't expect much in 2 days. So far I've noticed that my face feels sort of warmer. Maybe that's the metabolism moving faster :lol: ? I also do feel like something is happening in my body- maybe it's more energy maybe it's weight loss. I'm not sure, but it's definitely a good, calming feeling. I'm liking this so far :) !
I have read some of the posts people who've used the oil made here in this forum. There really isn't as much as say for OoO or hoodia so I don't know what to conclude. I see that some people gave up on the coconut oil because it caused weight gain for them. Besides taking the oil, I'm not sure what other changes they made to their diets. I'd think you'd need to either subtract some food or add exercise, maybe even both, to really experience the oil's "magic". Say you were eating on average 1800 calories/day and then added 3 tbsp of oil to your daily menu. That would be a total of 2160 calories. You can't eat 360 more calories (3 tbsp coconut oil) in addition to what you were already eating and expect weight loss to happen faster. You're going to need to subtract calories somewhere in order to fit the oil into the plan. At least that's my thinking and that's what I've done the past 2 days. I have to admit I'd rather have a real beef hamburger over a ground turkey breast burger, but I'm willing to make the substitution in my foods if it means I'll break my stall.

P.S. This is a link to the oil I'm using ---> Spectrum Naturals Organic Coconut Oil

Wanted to check in. I've been using the coconut oil for 5 days now and am down about 2lbs. I finally broke out of the 330s thank goodness! I dont know if it's an effect of the coconut oil, but I have noticed that my appetite is less and I'm not getting cravings to eat more meals than I should.

Would anyone know if canned coconut cream/milk (unsweetened - about 1 carb per 80ml would have a similar effect? I often add it to chicken or pork strips while stir-frying curry type meals and it adds lots of flavour. MMmmmm :p

I just thought I'd let everyone know I stopped taking the coconut oil daily. It's hard trying to work 2 tablespoons into my meal preparations daily and I'm definitely not down with eating it by the spoonful. That just kind of skeeves me out eating a spoonful of grease. I decided that I'd just use it if I'm sauteing foods since it's going to be healthier than using most other oils. Hopefully I'll still get the benefits.

Have you thought about taking the capsules. I went to the healthfood store and I saw the solid, but opted to get the soft gels.. because I couldn't imagine "eating" coconut oil.. it just sounds really gross to me. My pills are pretty large, made from organic virgin coconut oil. Might not have the same effect or potency as the soild.. but I was willing to give it a try.

bump........

I eat coconut oil for the health benefits.. I can't say whether it helps speed weight loss, it does help my athletic performance.

It's excellent mixed with sunflower and pupkin seeds, or in a hot cocoa, I also eat it on crisp breads. If I feel like cheating, the most delicious cheat is a piece of bread or half a bun fried in a couple tbs of coconut oil.. left in it when it's crispy to soak up the oil, with a VERY thin layer of raw honey on top.

I'll use it in dishes with curry or certain spices as well. Virgin coconut oil tastes light and almost sweet, with a hint of coconut.

....bump....

what about mixing it with non-fat cocoa powder and a tiny bit of liquid Splenda (maybe Kahlua flavour) and drop it it small drops onto waxed paper and refridgerate. This would make a great LC candy.

Deb

I use organic virgin coconut oil in Indian and Thai dishes, and bake LC cookies with it and almond flour. I still can't stand the idea of putting it on my cracker like butter but it gives nice flavor to desserts and curries. It's still has too much of sweet coconut flavor to use it in everyday cooking. I should try to make some LC chocolate with it.:idea:

Hi Folks
I have not posted in a long time but since I have decided to add Coconut Oil I came across this thread and I noticed Athena123 concerned about calories.
Check out this thread in Best of I think you will find it most interesting regarding Fats Calories and Lowcarb


Confused and Scared to Eat Fat link below......
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showthread.php?t=31603

I eat a lot of coconut oil and I have not gained from it. I lost fat - not weight, but fat from using coconut oil over a year without dieting at all. (belly fat)
From feb to april, I went thru a gallon (7 lbs) of coconut oil (don't know how I did this; I was not trying) I didn't gain and my tummy shrunk a bit.
Since I started with the coconut oil and gave up using vegetable and seed oils I am never sick and I feel better than I ever had.

Moseyman, what are some of the ways you eat CO? i'm having real trouble fitting it into my diet because i rarely use any kind of cooking fat anymore.

How do you ensure that you get the recommended 3 tbsp per day? I tried to eat it straight and almost threw up. :Puke:

i'd really like to incorporate it more but i just don't know what to use it in.

Any comments?

Thanks

Deb

Deb,

I make almond flour muffins with coconut flakes and coconut oil, 3 carbs per muffin and no artificial sweetener; I buy raw almonds and unsulfered unsweetened coco flakes both for purty cheap at a local health food store. (coconut flakes are usually in with dehydrated fruits and things like that
How to make muffins:
http://forum.lowcarber.org/showpost...686&postcount=3

I even add a bit of oil to the top of the muffin, and drown it with some SCD yogurt (2 carbs per cup) I can’t taste it at all that way.

How to make yogurt:http://forum.lowcarber.org/showpost...772&postcount=7

I stir fry with it & I sometimes put a dab in my coffee, but that’s a bit yucky; I got used to it tho.

I also found these recipes for it; I haven’t tried yet: http://forum.lowcarber.org/showpost...87&postcount=60

I hope that helps.

It's pretty easy to take in some warm chocolate milk.. I either warm up the low carb hood, or because it's too sweet for me just put cocoa in boiling water with stevia and cream.
It's also great in berry smoothies: frozen berries, a couple of raw egg yolks, a splash of something tart like lemon juice, heavy vream and coconut oil. Blend.
It's quite palatable mixed with peanut butter or almond butter ....and if you're feeling really naughty there is nothing like half of a roll fried in a large amount of coconut oil. Once it's golden brown and crispy let it sit in the oil for a few mins to soak it up and spread just a little raw honey on top - better than any donut.
If you like curry it's a great addition to curry dishes.

Wow, this is so interesting. I've never heard of CO and can't wait to get some -- just wish I hadn't JUST gotten back from the store...

I love this site!! :) Someone just directed me to a easy recipe for flax bread that I'm going to make and then turn it into a grilled cheese with some of this CO.

Thanks for keeping this thread going! :)

Moseyman and Meg S:

Thanks for the suggestions for CO. I have all the ingredients for the muffins so i will be doing that right away! I really look forward to having muffins again.

Thanks very much

Deb

I got the virgin coconut oil and it tastes so much better than the organic co that I get in the local store. The texture is not so lardy, in fact it melts like good chocolate in the mouth. I just found some premium organic coconut milk in the store and it's as thick and rich as whipped cream. I'm going to fiddle with those 2 things and come up with something that is like a treat instead of a supplement. Then I'll have dessert 3 times a day :) -Gail

what's the difference between virgin and organic coconut oil? I thought it was the same?

Deb

The organic co that I got said refined for cooking. The virgin (is organic too) is better quality. I got it online.

somewhat off topic.. but I make a delicious body butter by melting and then whipping up a mixture of virgin coconut oil, virgin cocoa butter and unrefined shea butter. It takes on the consistency of cake frosting and feel sooo nice on the skin.