There are so many cooking oils to choose from. What isn’t made clear is which oils are safe for cooking and which should really be saved for cold applications. Last week we learned about olive oil and the amazing health benefits it offers. We also learned about the dangers to our health when we cook with olive oil. This week I’m going to focus on coconut oil.
An Oil by Any Other Name…
Coconut oil has been touted as a miracle oil of sorts. From skin care to its antimicrobial properties to a natural cure for head lice; coconut oil seems to be useful everywhere. Coconut oil has vitamin K, vitamin E, and traces of iron. It not only has antimicrobial properties but also antifungal! The good properties of coconut oil seem endless. Cooking with coconut oil isn’t a problem either. It has a high smoking point so it is great for applications such as sautéing or stir-frying. Unlike olive oil, it will not give off a caustic vapor when heated. You can even use it safely in your baking as a dairy-free alternative to butter!
What Is The Skinny On This Fat?
There is no way around the fact that oil is a fat. But not all fats are created equal! Unlike fat that comes from an animal source and is high in cholesterol, coconut oil does not contain cholesterol! You would still want to be careful when using any oils or fats to make sure you have a proper balanced diet. Choosing the best fats for your everyday diet can make all the difference. Because coconut oil is easily digested due to its ratio of long-chain triglycerides and medium-train triglycerides, it is less likely to be turned into body fat. That is really good news if you are trying to watch your waistline! Coconut oil also has many applications outside of being a great natural food source.
One Practical Application for Coconut Oil
When my daughter was sent home from school, thanks to an outbreak of head lice, I knew I didn’t want to use those harsh pesticide shampoos on her. The school, however, was very clear: she could not return unless a store bought chemical was used. I admit, I relented and we both cried through the process. It was horrible and my daughter began having major breathing problems. We washed it off right away and did not wait the recommended time. Then I did some research and found out that if your child has asthma the horrible chemicals used in these applications can cause your little one to be hospitalized. I knew I should have gone with my gut in the first place. I did some more research. Turns out coconut oil kills those little buggers! We warmed it up and saturated her head. She smelled great! Then I wrapped her hair in a plastic baggie and played connect four and watched a movie. We then rinsed it out and shampooed as usual. After combing and picking like normal she was lice-free! She also had the softest most beautiful hair I’ve ever seen! I use it strictly as a conditioner now. I also politely told the school where they could go with their policy of using pesticides on children! Whether you use it in your next stir-fry, as a natural lip gloss, or one of the myriad of applications, you can’t deny that organic coconut oil is an amazing natural oil.
Applications & Resources for Coconut Oil
- Check out 76 Ways To Use Coconut Oil!
- Go to Wellness Mama for 101 Uses
- Read more about coconut oil and some interesting studies at org
