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coconut oil is making news girlawhirl finds out what all the buzz is about
Aug 19, 2008
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Girlawhirl is always kept on her toes by all of the conflicting and ever evolving research and information on fat: what's good – heart healthy monosaturated fats – what's not so good – saturated fats – and what she does her best not to eat at all – trans fats. She has embraced the health claims of the Mediterranean diet and tries to use olive oil as much as possible, but now she hears there's an old oil that's new again – coconut oil… Girlawhirl's nutritional consultant, Melissa Spiesman, filled her in on the most recent research. Coconut oil can be incorporated into the diet while helping to protect from heart disease, strengthen the immune system, improve digestion and perhaps even boost metabolism. In addition, coconut oil is purported to have skin softening properties. The oil from coconuts is unique in nature because it's made up of medium chain fatty acids that can be easily digested and converted into energy – not stored as fats. It also contains lauric acid, naturally found in breast milk, which supports and strengthens the immune system as well as being an anti-fungal, anti-viral and anti-bacterial. And on top of all that, it does not contain cholesterol.
So what makes the “new” coconut oil different that the “old”? When it's used in processed foods, the oil is stabilized through a process that hydrogenates it – that's the old kind,
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Melissa Spiesman, CHHC received her professional training at The Institute for Integrative Nutrition in New York City. The American Association of Drugless Practitioners has certified her as a Certified Holistic Health Counselor. In her private practice, she regularly counsels individuals and groups on a variety of health and nutrition issues, including: cravings, weight loss and management, healthy food preparation, coping with stress, and having more energy.
The information dispensed on girlawhirl.com is not intended to be diagnostic or prescriptive. Always check with a physician or health care professional before embarking on lifestyle changes.
Have a question for Melissa? Ask her here.
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which science has now proven isn't heart healthy at all. The coconut oil that Girlawhirl is loving these days – what she's calling “new” – comes in a wide mouth jar and is labeled “extra virgin coconut oil.” (It's not refined – some jars are marked with refined.) It can be thought of as the EVOO equivalent of coconut oil. She stores it in her cupboard and when the weather's warm it's liquid, but it hardens up if she refrigerates it. It does give a slightly coconutty flavor to smoothies or other foods she uses it in, but it's not at all unpleasant. She can substitute it for butter or shortening when she bakes and has used it to add a creamy texture to smoothies or other healthy desserts she makes. She's even started substituting lite coconut milk (unsweetened of course) for soy or dairy milk in frozen treats.
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