Not only it is the new year, but it is also the new decade. You are now contemplating on changing. One of those is having a healthy lifestyle. And let’s face it, as time passes by, we are just getting older and because of that, it is important to be mindful of our body.
One of the ways is to watch out what you eat. Many people would think it will be boring and bland, but it is not. Nowadays, there are a lot of alternatives and food discovered to be healthy. Some are new, but most are those that are ignored. One of those is coconut oil. For some, it is a beauty product, but it is very versatile that it can be used on different kinds of recipes.
But first, let us know what the benefits of coconut oil are:
- It has good cholesterol.
- It helps to avoid multiple diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and others.
- It helps with weight loss.
- It boosts energy.
For those reasons, it will be nice to have coconut in your diet. Here are some ways you can do it:
1. Baking
Coconut oil is actually great for baking. You can have it as a healthier substitute for butter and vegans love using this. It is also used to harden certain food such as chocolate. It is used as the magic shell for ice creams. It is also used for different kinds of cake and bread.
2. Adding
There is also a lot of food that you could incorporate coconut oil. It is mentioned before that it can be substituted for butter, and you can definitely use it on toast. Some would put in coffee to add some taste or as a dressing for a salad. Aside from butter, it can also be used as a substitute for mayonnaise. You can also add it to your usual snacks such as popcorn to give it a healthier twist. It is also added to various soups. Others include smoothies and breakfast food such as oatmeals and granolas.
3. Frying
Unlike olive oil that is not allowed to be burned, coconut oil is especially with its high smoking point. In fact, it is said to be the healthiest oil to be used for deep frying. The best one to use is the refined ones and is mostly used for frying chicken. Aside from that, you can also use it for pan-frying meats and vegetables. It is also used for scrambled eggs and some fruits such as bananas. It is also perfect for pancakes.
4. Sautéing
Coconut oil can also be used as a base for sautéing and will surely add some flavor. It is a great way to make your sautéed vegetable or legumes to be healthier. It can also be used for cooking pasta sauces.
5. Other Uses
To add flavor to your roasted chicken or vegetables, you can rub it with coconut oil. It can also be used for making different kinds of sauces such as hollandaise or any other dipping sauce.