The Best Coconut Oil Recipes You Need To Try (2024)

FAQs

What is best to cook with coconut oil? ›

Cooking.

At room temperature, coconut oil stays solid, and it's stable at high temperatures due to its saturated fatty acids. This makes it ideal for many things like mixing into dressings or sauces, making homemade soups or stews, or sauteeing veggies or eggs, for example.

Increased risk of heart disease and stroke

Coconut oil is full of saturated fat, which can raise your LDL (bad) cholesterol and your chances of cardiovascular disease and stroke.

Coconut oil may help reduce hunger, improve oral health, possibly reduce seizures, and more. However, coconut oil may not be great for your heart health.

You don't need to store coconut oil in the fridge, even when your jar or tub has been opened. The rule of thumb for all edible oils is to store them in a cool, dark place to keep them fresh and retain any nutritional values.

Olive Oil Is Healthier and More Nutritious

That is because it is rich in good fat (polyunsaturated fat) and low in bad fat (saturated fat). Coconut oil contains 80 to 90 percent saturated fat. According to the experts, a tablespoon of coconut oil contains about six times as much saturated fat as olive oil.

Myth: Coconut oil is a heart-healthy cooking alternative.

The reality: Coconut oil has been shown to raise cholesterol levels — the good and the bad kinds — more than other plant-based oils like olive or canola. And in truth, medium-chain triglycerides make up only a small amount of the fatty acids in coconut oil.

“Saturated fats, often found in meat and dairy products as well as coconut oil, can increase LDL levels in your blood,” says Dr. Russell. “This in turn increases your risk of heart disease, peripheral artery disease and stroke.” Eating foods that contain coconut oil can increase your risk for heart problems.

While small amounts of coconut oil may have health benefits, people should limit their intake. Coconut oil is a high calorie food that contains mostly saturated fatty acids. Diets high in saturated fatty acids may increase the risk of coronary heart disease.

High cholesterol: Coconut oil contains a type of fat that can increase cholesterol levels. Regularly eating meals containing coconut oil can increase levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL or "bad") cholesterol. This might be a problem for people who already have high cholesterol.

What is the healthiest coconut oil to cook with? ›

Due to its mild flavor and high smoke point, refined coconut oil is a better choice for baking and cooking. However, minimally processed unrefined coconut oil may be better for skin and hair care, as well as certain dietary preferences.

Instead of butter or olive oil, use coconut oil for making your favorite recipes, like smoothies or even desserts. You can also use coconut oil as salad dressings. Ingesting coconut oil 20 minutes prior to mealtime may increase feelings of fullness, curb your appetite and help lose weight.

“It can reduce frizz and smooth the hair, and also contains high levels of lauric acid, which helps lower levels of yeast on the scalp that contribute to flaking and dandruff.” Coconut oil's role in reducing dandruff is actually more important than you might think.

It is better to oil pull before eating, preferably in the morning on an empty stomach. This allows the oil to effectively interact with oral bacteria and plaque without interference from food particles.

Coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) that will help you feel more energized, curb your appetite, and get your metabolism revved up for your upcoming day. It's becoming more and more known that coconut oil benefits the body in several different ways and should be considered a health food.

Coconut oil has been touted as a good-for-you fat that helps with weight reduction, metabolism, and lowering cholesterol, but in reality it's a highly saturated fat that can cause atherosclerosis, a condition that can lead to clogged arteries and result in a heart attack or stroke.

There is no fast and set rule in the debate of coconut oil vs. butter that defines one winner over the other. While the argument can be made that there are more health benefits to consuming antioxidant-rich coconut oil than there are to consuming butter, both are still high-fat foods that you should eat in moderation.

Coconut oil has a lower viscosity than other cooking oils, so a tablespoon is a good place to start. Heat the oil until it turns clear before cracking your eggs and frying them. If you want to curb the sweetness of the coconut oil, add a bit more salt, seasoning, or a dash of acid for a balanced flavor.