Since coconut oil can be used under high temperatures, you can use it to replace butter when baking foods like cookies, muffins, cakes, and brownies. Coconut oil can be used to substitute other oils (as well as butter) in nearly all baking recipes. To bake with coconut oil, replace your other oil by using a 1:1 ratio.

Roasted vegetables

Vegetables like zucchini, beets, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash can be brushed with a mixture of thyme, lemon juice, coconut oil, salt and paper to give them a desirable coconut flavor. Go ahead and sauté them using coconut oil or brush them with it and cook them on the grill. There’s nothing like grilled vegetables!

Popcorn

Coconut oil is known to nicely pop corn kernels when it is used instead of normal vegetable fat. Hold off on the butter to maximize your weight loss regimen.

Smoothies

You can add coconut oil to your smoothies or other beverages, such as your morning coffee.

Adding Coconut Oil to your Daily Diet – General Guidelines

You might reach for your jar of coconut oil and see that it has solidified. This is because coconut oil usually solidifies at 76 degrees Fahrenheit. It is completely safe to use coconut oil in its solid state but if you want to use coconut oil to replace you normal oil, you can dip the jar into a hot water bath before using it.

The best time to consume coconut oil is about a half an hour before mealtimes, as coconut oil has satiating effects that makes you feel fuller, thus helping in weight loss.

If you want to consume coconut oil by the tablespoon, the recommendation is to take up to 3 tablespoons daily per adult.

What About the Calories

It is important to be aware that coconut oil is fat – it contains 9 calories per gram. Therefore if you consume a fixed amount of calories, you need to take into consideration the added calorie intake of the coconut oil. But, most people don’t count calories and in these cases, adding coconut oil to your diet will reduce your appetite and probably make you eat less of other foods instead.

Instead of adding coconut oil on top of your other cooking fats, try to replace some of your other cooking fats with coconut oil.

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