What’s the deal with Coconut oil??

Coconut oil first hit the headlines a few years ago when it became the newest ‘health’ product on the market. Everyone was going crazy over this product and it was starting to pop up in all kinds of recipes. Coconut oil coffee anyone?? 

But, what’s the deal with coconut oil? Is it really healthier than olive oil, or have we all been duped by some pretty impressive marketing. Well, let's break it down for you. If we look at each product individually we can see that they are pretty similar in terms of calories and total fat. 

What we are more concerned about is the type of fat found in the oil. In olive oil we can see that it contains very little saturated fat and is comprised mostly of monounsaturated fat (the good kind) which is good for our heart health. Coconut oil on the other hand contains about 90% saturated fat, with very minimal unsaturated fat levels. 

With such a high saturated fat content, coconut oil should only be used sparingly as too much of it can raise the total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol levels (bad kind) in your body. Based on this information, olive oil would be our preferred choice. 

If you have any concerns about your heart health or would just like some more information about how to improve your diet, the dietitians at Hardy Nutrition are here to help. You can contact us on 9494 3790 or book yourself in online for an appointment at http://hardynutrition.com.au/online-booking.html