Coconut oil: the fat that makes you thin
As a Personal Trainer in Clapham, London, part of my role is to help my clients with nutritional options that will help them lose weight, burn calories more efficiently, and feel better in the process.
On that note, let’s discuss coconut oil.
If you are struggling to lose weight, have a sensitive digestive system, or are just up for trying something different in a healthy diet, this is an excellent item to start including in your cupboard.
For the purpose of jargon busting, MCT refers to Medium Chain Triglyceride. As you will see, MCTs offer a range of benefits, and are a ‘good fat’ to include as part of a healthy diet.
Why use Coconut oil?
Here are a few reasons why you should pick up coconut oil and give it a try:
- Efficiency: when you exercise, often one of the primary objectives is to burn fat. MCT burns 3 x faster than other fats, making it a much more efficient source of energy.
- Ease of digestion: MCT is easier to digest because it does not require bile to break it down when consumed.
- Improved fat oxidation: MCT has been shown to increase fat oxidation (meaning fat currently stored)
- Appetite suppression: MCT has also been shown to assist in decreased food intake by increasing the speed of the feeling of satiety[2].
Tips on when and how to consume coconut oil
Coconut oil can be used in a number of ways, including:
- Adding to smoothies;
- Blended into coffee (make sure you blend the entire mixture together to the oil can emulsify), and/or
- Try it out is as a pan lubricant when making stir fries or other hot dishes.
From these three options, I’d probably start out with the third and then go from there, but if you are more adventurous, go crazy!
Not all fats are created equal
Coconut oil is an example of a ‘good fat’ to include in your diet, and it can be incorporated into a healthy eating strategy with regular exercise to give you the best chance to become the fittest, best version of you!
I’d love your feedback on this blog, and please feel free to write me at [email protected]
[1] http://informahealthcare.com/doi/abs/10.3109/09637481003702114
[2]Ibid.
To learn more about healthy eating habits to achieve your fitness goals, contact James Staring, a leading personal trainer in Clapham, London.
About the author
James Staring is a certified Personal Trainer in Clapham with experience training endurance runners, triathletes, low back pain sufferers, and weekend warriors of all ability levels.
James focuses on building the best version of you and inspiring you to new levels of fitness – regardless of your current ability or age. In particular James specialises in exercise after injury and helping those who are, perhaps, feeling a little less mobile than they used to.