Coconut Oil and Weight Loss

Coconut Oil and Weight Loss

Famous for many things already, coconut oil is certainly gaining a name as being the super oil of super oils. Exploited for its culinary benefits and beauty regime secrets, there seems to be a lot to like about the uber-tropical, slippery substance.

But, can coconut oil really help you to lose weight?

Coconut oil is in fact rumoured to offer a leg up to weight-loss regimes. And of course, as our team at Bondi Beach Tea Co. do – we wanted to suss out the nitty-gritty for ourselves!

Considering that coconut oil is actually a fat, is there any truth to these rumours? Here is what we uncovered about coconut oil.

People on Paleo diets love the stuff as it is derived from a plant-based source instead of being an animal by-product. Some people use coconut oil as a replacement for butter and fat and use it in their cooking and baking.

There are dieters who add coconut oil into their smoothies and drinks to boost satiety levels. Biohackers also get a kick from consuming a small spoon of coconut oil with hot water before a meal. This is said to apparently suppress appetite, but we recommend looking into this craze for yourself…

Not got you convinced it is time for an oil change yet? Just keep on reading.

How coconut oil is supposed to help with weight loss

Coconut oil boasts a moderately high concentration of medium-chain triglycerides (MCT). MCT is a fatty acid which is passed through the system more proficiently than long-chain dietary fats. Long-chain fatty acid is found in a lot of fats and oils, including in olive oil, fish, avocado, nuts, meat and dairy.

Long-chain fatty acids enter the system, take the tourist route around town as they metabolise and break down. Along the way they stop off by your fat tissue for a break, leaving little pieces of themselves behind.

Medium-chain triglycerides, on the contrary, take all the shortcuts around town. They are metabolised and burnt up more rapidly and are used as energy instead of being stored.

Sadly, however, there is minimum consistent evidence that coconut oil can be called a weight-loss aid.

According to a dietician in the U.S., only small-scale studies have been applied to determine the relationship. These studies report no huge decline in weight from using coconut oil.

Registered Dietician Nutritionist, Dafna Chazin RDN, LDN, says,

“The few studies that have been performed demonstrating that consuming coconut oil may cause very modest reductions in weight. But, there is no evidence to suggest that doing so can lead to significant weight loss or weight loss over the long-term”.

Coconut oil contains around 100 – 120 calories in a tablespoon, and around 10 – 12 grams of fat [1]. For a lot of people, this is more than half of their recommended daily amount of fat intake. It is important to be aware of these statistics.

To manage a healthy eating regime, calorie intake should be spread across the day not all piled into one coconut smoothie for morning tea!

Tips for successful weight loss with coconut oil

So, assuming coconut oil alone will not give you the body beautiful you desperately desire (sigh), it could be all that you need to notch up your motivation levels. This is the good news amongst the negative.

In a theory we sighted by registered dietician Jennifer Kanikula RD, adding coconut oil to your meal could actually help with your eating habits. Coconut oil could help you feel fuller for longer and avoid overeating or binge snacking between meals. Jennifer says,

“Coconut oil creates a difference of flavour profile which likely increases satiety of taste. If you are more satisfied after a meal both physically and mentally, then you are not likely to feel the need to have additional calories at other times of the day.”

What is the best way to add coconut oil to your diet?

To welcome coconut oil into your diet firstly use it to replace other fats that you use. Go for the unrefined versions of coconut oil or extra-virgin coconut oil. These versions have undergone minimal processing and generally maintain their tasty coconut flavour as well.

Coconut oil has a smoke point of 180 degrees Celsius, which is good for baking and using for stir-fry and sautés – but not suitable for frying. In comparison, olive oil has a much higher smoking point; hence, it is okay to use in frying. But who fries their food on a weight-loss regime anyway, right?

Try capitalising on the yummy coconut flavour of coconut oil whenever you use it.

Here are some great combinations where you can use coconut oil with matcha green tea to give you even more health-promoting benefits.

• Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to a homemade smoothie with ½ teaspoon of matcha green tea, coconut water, spinach, banana and blueberries
• Create a killer iced green tea with a splash of coconut oil
• Bake up a homemade protein bar with coconut oil and matcha green tea

For breakfast, cook yourself a nice side dish of scrambled egg whites to have with your smoothie and granola sprinkled on top.

Coconut oil is great to add to your morning bowl of fresh oats. Serve it up drizzled over some air-dried popcorn for a midnight movie snack (but hold the salt).

Don’t forget about all the wonderful ways you can use coconut oil for your beauty regime too. Coconut oil pulling could help to keep up your oral hygiene. Coconut oil is great to use for your hair. Or add a few drops of coconut oil to your bath.

Remember that diets are generally effective when reducing your calories, not increasing them. In any case, why not substitute regular oils and those derived from animal products with a dose of coconut oil instead.

For a quality matcha green tea full of goodness – shop our Bondi Beach Tea Co. Organic Matcha Green Tea.


Sources:
1. United States Department of Agriculture: National Nutrients Database of Standard Reference Release 28