Coconut Oil: Yeah or Neah?

Many of you have been asking me whether or not I thought that Coconut Oil was healthy to use. I have been avoiding the topic, because frankly, I was as confused as you.

I once consumed Coconut Oil after reading many, many claims of health benefits.  To add to the confusion, I could only find this oil at a health food store!  However, I abruptly stopped when I started avoiding saturated fat for health reasons.

I have finally gotten into some actual scientific data on Coconut Oil and am ready to weigh in on the topic.

Here goes...

Coconut Oil:

• 100% fat
• Contains over 90% Saturated Fat, Lard contains 43%!
• Mono & Poly unsaturated fats (good fats) are overshadowed by the amount of Saturated Fat
• Contains no Omega-3 essential fatty acids (good stuff)

Lets look at nutrition...

1 tbsp Coconut Oil:

• 116 CALORIES (all from fat & stored as fat)
• 116 CALORIES FROM FAT
• 14 GRAMS OF FAT
• 12 GRAMS SAT FAT
• .8 MONO
• .2 POLY
• O CARBS
• O PROTEIN
• O CALCIUM
• O IRON
• O MAGNESIUM
• O POTASSIUM
• O SODIUM
• O ZINC
• NO VITAMIN A, C, E, B6, B12
• .1 MICROGRAM VITAMIN K

In fact, Coconut Oil pretty much mirrors lard from a nutritional standpoint - would you eat lard?


1 tbsp Lard:

• 115 CALORIES (all from fat & stored as fat)
• 115 CALORIES FROM FAT
• 12 GRAMS OF FAT
• 5 GRAMS SAT FAT
• 5.8 MONO
• 1.4 POLY
• O CARBS
• O PROTEIN
• O CALCIUM
• O IRON
• O MAGNESIUM
• O POTASSIUM
• O SODIUM
• O ZINC
• NO VITAMIN A, C, K, B6, B12
• .1 MICROGRAM VITAMIN E

So what do you think?

You don't need me to tell you that Coconut Oil has zero nutritional value and should be avoided at all costs.

And to quote the great McDougall, "The fat you eat is the fat you wear."

You Decide!
The Hoff

Sources:
T. Colin Campbell Plant-Based Nutrition Lecture
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/508/2
http://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/fats-and-oils/483/2
The Starch Solution by Dr. John McDougall