I have had difficulty digesting dairy for years. I have found coconut milk to be one of my favorite dairy replacers in my diet, yet I have found there is so much confusion regarding coconut milk amongst the general population.
It was once believed that coconut milk was unhealthy for you because of the saturated fat content. To clear up the bad rap coconut milk has sustained over the years, here are a few facts I share with my patients.
Coconut milk’s rich and creamy properties come from medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs). The saturated fat in coconut milk is from these MCT’s, which are very different from the long chain fatty acids (LCFA) that we consume (found in meat, milk, eggs and plants) in both saturated and unsaturated forms. The MCT’s do not have a negative effect on cholesterol like the LCFA and even help to protect against heart disease.
I have found coconut milk as an excellent alternative for my patients who are allergic or intolerant to dairy. I also recommend coconut milk for my patients who have difficulty digesting fat, as seen with a slow metabolism, in colitis and hypothyroidism. Like all foods, consume coconut milk with a wide variety of other whole foods like fruit, vegetables, grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and meat for optimal health.
