Good Morning and Happy President’s Day weekend!
This week I was asked to share my thoughts on Coconut Oil versus Olive Oil, which I am more than happy to do.
Keep the questions coming. I am here to help!
So let’s dive in to the nitty gritty of good fats.
First, I am a huge fan of both unrefined Coconut Oil and Extra Virgin Olive Oil but for different reasons.
Let’s start with Coconut Oil.
Decades ago scientists sounded the alarm on coconut’s high saturated fat content and labeled it one of the unhealthiest foods to consume. Today’s scientists have changed their tune and are publishing considerable data describing the many health benefits of coconut water and coconut oil.
Most of the saturated fat in coconut is in the form of medium-chain fatty acids, which the body digests not as fat but as pure energy. Coconut oil will speed up your metabolism and contains lauric acid, which is anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal. It also improves adrenal and thyroid health, which I love! I recommend that all my hormonal health clients add coconut oil into their diets. Coconut oil is also a terrific choice for frying, as it supports high heat.
Which brings me to the difference between Coconut Oil and Olive Oil.
Olive Oil
Unrefined olive oil has a lower smoke point than unrefined coconut oil and thus isn’t the ideal oil for higher temperatures. Oils can break down beyond their smoke points, which starts to change the molecular structure and integrity of the oil. Due to the chemical structure, heat makes olive oil susceptible to oxidative damage, so for cooking, I personally use coconut oil.
However, I LOVE to use Extra Virgin Olive Oil in salad dressings. Rich in monounsaturated fats, olive oil has long been the main component of the heart-healthy Mediterranean diet and has been proven to lower cholesterol, which reduces the risk of heart disease.
I would recommend using unrefined coconut oil for cooking and extra virgin olive oil for cold dishes and salad dressings.
The type of coconut oil and olive oil you use is important if you want to get the most of its benefits. Some oils out there are degraded in quality because of the way they are processed. You want to make sure you buy the unrefined, cold-pressed, organic oils.
My favorite brands are:
Nutiva Organic Virgin Coconut Oil
and
Artisana Raw 100% Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil
For Extra Virgin Olive Oil I recommend:
Kirkland Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
It is organic, first cold pressed, and is one of only a handful of imported olive oils that is 100% extra virgin olive oil, plus it is a great value!
The best part about both of these oils is that besides be healthy fats they are also awesome for your skin! I use Coconut Oil to take off my make-up at night and it leaves my skin super soft and rosy! I also like to whip up a scrumptious body scrub by mixing 1/2 cup of olive oil with 1/4 cup of brown sugar. This will slough off dead skin and leave your skin baby soft.
I enjoyed getting to know some of you in class this past week and look forward to meeting more of the Refinery gang soon!
In Health and Happiness,
