Guest guest Posted February 8, 2006 Report Posted February 8, 2006 This is from the SBD site... Q: Coconut is not listed in the Good Fats Good Carbs Guide. Is it OK in any Phase of The South Beach DietT? -Jerry A: Coconuts have traditionally been frowned upon because of their high saturated-fat content. Recent studies, however, have shown that certain South Pacific populations have no negative health effects from a diet rich in coconut. Therefore, you can include a small amount of coconut in your diet beginning in Phase 2. Before you race out and buy all the coconut you can find, here are a few things you should know: Research on the health effects of coconut has been conflicting. New research shows that lauric acid, a compound found in tropical oils such as coconut, raises good (HDL) cholesterol, lowering heart disease risk. Lipid researcher Enig, Ph.D., has done a number of studies on the health benefits of lauric acid and notes that the compound is also anti-inflammatory and antiviral. If you would like to add coconut to your diet, keep in mind that eating more than a small amount on special occasions may compromise weight-loss efforts. In addition, you should use caution when purchasing coconut, as some products may contain added sugar. Finally, always remember that every person responds differently to certain foods. If you find that adding coconut to your diet increases cravings, stalls weight loss, or raises cholesterol levels, you're probably better off without it. Betsy Hall, coconut? I can't find coconut on any of my lists. Which phase would I be able to use a small amount of unsweetened coconut? I am thinking it might be an equivalent of a nut like almonds. Quote
Guest guest Posted February 8, 2006 Report Posted February 8, 2006 Thanks Betsy! I appreciate the information. I was recently told by a health food store owner that coconut oil can actually increase the metabolism of fat. I think I'll have to do some more digging to see what looks to be reliable. Cheers! > > This is from the SBD site... > > Q: Coconut is not listed in the Good Fats Good Carbs Guide. Is it OK in > any Phase of The South Beach DietT? > -Jerry > > A: Coconuts have traditionally been frowned upon because of their high > saturated-fat content. Recent studies, however, have shown that certain > South Pacific populations have no negative health effects from a diet rich > in coconut. Therefore, you can include a small amount of coconut in your > diet beginning in Phase 2. > > Before you race out and buy all the coconut you can find, here are a few > things you should know: > > Research on the health effects of coconut has been conflicting. New > research shows that lauric acid, a compound found in tropical oils such as > coconut, raises good (HDL) cholesterol, lowering heart disease risk. Lipid > researcher Enig, Ph.D., has done a number of studies on the health > benefits of lauric acid and notes that the compound is also > anti-inflammatory and antiviral. > > If you would like to add coconut to your diet, keep in mind that eating > more than a small amount on special occasions may compromise weight-loss > efforts. In addition, you should use caution when purchasing coconut, as > some products may contain added sugar. Finally, always remember that every > person responds differently to certain foods. If you find that adding > coconut to your diet increases cravings, stalls weight loss, or raises > cholesterol levels, you're probably better off without it. > > > > Betsy Hall, > coconut? > > > I can't find coconut on any of my lists. > Which phase would I be able to use a small amount of unsweetened > coconut? > I am thinking it might be an equivalent of a nut like almonds. > > > > > > Quote
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