Just
like in the world of fashion, food trends fluctuate every year. And for 2017, Whole
Foods predicted it's going to
be the year of coconut everything. It's going way past your basic coconut
water. Think coconut butter, chips, ice cream. Coconut everything, everywhere.
But if you think the new health food fad is the key to helping you drop pounds
this year, you might want to read the fine print. We spoke with nutritionists
to find out whether going cray-cray for coconut is worth the hype.
It Can Help Crush Cravings
As it turns out, coconut has properties that can
keep you fuller longer. “The fat content in coconut is a medium-chain triglyceride,
which helps with satiety,” says Lisa Cohn, R.D. consultant for miVIP Surgery Centers. Plus, the
fruit provides sugar for quick energy while the fat digests slowly. That
winning combo gives you long-lasting energy and prevents hunger and
cravings by keeping your blood sugar levels in check.
Cohn recommends adding jarred or fresh coconut to
juices and smoothies, and coconut flakes to hot or dry cereals, fresh
salads, and cooked dishes.
