Talking Coconuts & the Tree of Life

The Pacific Islanders believe that Coconut is the cure for all illness, which is why the palm tree, where coconuts are grown, is known as “The Tree of Life.” 

Coconuts are an excellent source of fiber, minerals and amino acids. It contains a good amount of calcium, potassium, magnesium and electrolytes.

Eating coconut also supports the development of strong, healthy bones and teeth. It does this by improving the body’s ability to absorb calcium and magnesium. It also prevents osteoporosis, a condition in which the bones become thin and fragile and lose their density. This makes coconuts a good, healthy alternative for those who are lactose intolerant, but still want to have strong bones and teeth. Those who prefer a vegan diet can benefit from it as a good source of protein and fatty acids.

When coconut oil was first brought to the U.S., there was a lot of negative hype about it because it contains high levels of saturated fat. The concern was that that it increased cholesterol and contributed to heart disease, but this is a myth. It actually lowers cholesterol and reduces the chances of heart disease. This is because its fat content is simply changed into energy, lessening the likelihood of fat buildup in the arteries and heart.

Health Benefits of Coconut Meat and How to Cook with Coconut Meat

Once the outer green husk of the coconut is removed, what remains is the seed and its rich inner white lining, the coconut meat. If you’re eating a low-carb diet, each 2-by-2-inch piece of raw fresh coconut meat contains only about 7 grams of carbohydrate and is packed with 4 grams of fiber. On the flip side, coconut meat is the nutritional opposite of what you’d expect from a fruit: what it lacks in carbohydrates, it makes up for in fat with 15 grams of fat per 2-inch chunk of coconut. 

Coconut meat comes in several forms. You can get it from a fresh whole coconut or dried and flaked coconut comes from the meat. There’s also jarred coconut meat, which is solid at temperatures below 76°F, and is also known as coconut manna or coconut butter. Coconut butter is made from finely ground whole coconut meat and has the texture of natural peanut butter. Coconut butter can be found in jars near other nut butters, baking oils and sometimes even in the supplement department of natural-foods stores.

Dried Shredded Coconut / Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

While fresh coconut meat contains more water, which dilutes the fat and calories, prepackaged dried flaked coconut or dried shredded coconut is the most convenient to cook or bake with.

Add coconut flakes to your Sweetberry Bowl and enjoy all the health benefits that coconut brings!

Interested in learning more about healthy eating?

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Or email me @ stephanie@myplanutrition.com