Ep. 180: Are Coconuts a Plantstrong Food?

We’re happy to welcome back the popular, Jessica Hegarty, to the podcast! Jess and Rip did this Facebook live event a few weeks ago and the response was so powerful, we wanted to share it with all of you.

Jess is the Director of Food Development and Strategy around all of our PLANTSTRONG food lines. She’s the one who researches every new product and ingredient we look at for our foods and if it doesn’t pass her sniff test, it doesn’t make it into the mix! Needless to say, we trust her implicitly and, if you’ve tasted our PLANTSTRONG foods, you know the rigorous taste and nutritional standards she holds us all to.

Today, Jess is here to talk coconuts. As you may know, we at PLANTSTRONG aren’t huge fans of it because of the ridiculously high amount of saturated fat. Saturated fat isn’t just detrimental to our arteries and endothelial cells, but it’s also harmful to our brain health. In fact, it’s pretty much the only whole plant food we just can’t endorse and you’ll hear exactly why.

But, Jess doesn’t just look under the hood of the coconut itself. she also explores other popular coconut-based products:

• Coconut oils

• Coconut waters

• Coconut extract

• Coconut yogurts and milks

• Coconut flours

Can any of these products be considered a plantstrong food? Are all the “supposed” health benefits just marketing hype? Is any of it worth our valuable dollar?

She’ll tell us and even provide some fun and healthy alternatives! It’s a fun and in-depth look at this exotic fruit.

Episode Timestamps

6:25 Why is coconut the one plantstrong food we recommend you stay away from?

6:40 Why is saturated fat so detrimental to our health and endothelial function?

12:30 What is the saturated fat of typical foods in the American diet?

18:44 Coconuts are saturated fat bombs — similar to a Meal from McDonald’s?? Jess talks about the study to prove it.

24:00 Coconut Oil - Are there any health benefits to our body and skin?

28:48 Coconut Extract - Not flavors!

30:10 How to make your own coconut extract at home

31:10 Coconut Milk and Yogurts - What are some great alternatives to this concentrated saturated fat bomb?

37:08 Coconut Water - Is it really packed with electrolytes? Alternatives? Green tea and whole foods

40:40 Why was coconut even put on this planet?

46:00 Coconut Sugar - concentrated sugar with no fiber. Alternatives? Try dates!

48:55 Coconut Meat and Dried Shredded Coconut

54:30 Coconut Flours - Can you find de-fatted coconut?

Episode Resources

Watch the Original Episode on YouTube

PubMed Study - Impairment of endothelial function--a possible mechanism for atherosclerosis of a high-fat meal intake

Homemade Coconut Extract Recipe

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