View Full Version : Cocoanut Oil
I have heard several people on news and show talk about coconut oil and perks. Has anyone used it on the trail?
TrappedInsideACube
05-02-2017, 21:47
It tastes good and adds calories...not sure what perks you're hoping for.
I have heard it helps with muscle recovery
It's just the latest fad food, no miracles. Like Trapped said, tastes good & adds calories. Also useful as personal lubricant :eek: ! Stops squeaks in packs! Waterproofs shoes! Sooner or later, the demand will cause a worldwide coconut shortage and the price of Mounds and Almond Joys will go through the roof...
devoidapop
05-02-2017, 22:09
I like to cook with it. You can eat it "raw". it's supposedly a good saturated fat. I don't think it has any real benefits over butter, ghee, or good ole bacon fat.
MuddyWaters
05-02-2017, 22:13
Imparts sweet flavor to stuff. Not especially good. I used it to make tortillas once, family didnt like it.
Oh yeah, it melts at about 78f, so sometimes its solid, sometimes it aint
Lots of different oils out there. Nothing special about it imo.
TrappedInsideACube
05-02-2017, 22:54
I have heard it helps with muscle recovery
Yeah, you can go pretty far down the rabbit hole reading about MCT oil/coconut oil and you'll see a lot of claims about energy and recovery. I wouldn't necessarily say it's bunk, but it's certainly not a "miracle food."
If anybody here is interested. Here is a short video about coconut oil and is usage. Enjoy.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi-mWA6i6c0
I've used it for years to make moisturizer but I doubt that's relevant here.
Just ask the experts here. It's obvious they know all about coconut oil through their extensive research.
Yes, I use it on trail for it's readily available source of energy - MCT's - medium chain fatty acids that are metabolized differently than long chain fatty acids, sometimes referred to as healthy fats. Coconut oil is more than 60% three MCT's with noted health benefits - caprylic acid, lauric acid, and capric acid. In addition coconut oil provides anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, high amounts of Vit E and polyphenols, multiple uses as a moisturizer, appetite suppression, when I want my energy source to be fats rather than sugars(helps in several ways with one side benefit it lowers the food wt needed to be hauled for energy needs), and several other widely held and discussed possible benefits. It still gets a bad wrap in some scientific circles because it's still believed by some saturated fats are the always the enemy.
There's no sugar calories in coconut oil despite opinions saying it imparts a sweetness.
I find these small individual packets in Earthfare and sometimes Whole Foods and elsewhere.https://taldepot.com/vita-coco-organic-extra-virgin-organic-coconut-oil-40-x-0-25-oz-packs-single-box.html?fee=1&fep=3418&gclid=CPK4-rOF09MCFUs9gQodvdIP4A
A few months ago I posted this about finding .51 oz(wt of product) in individual packets in a 14 packet box at Trader Joes than on sale for $3.99. https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/123345-Trader-Joes-Organic-Virgin-Coocnut-Oil-Packets
MuddyWaters
05-03-2017, 10:02
There's no sugar calories in coconut oil despite opinions saying it imparts a sweetness.
Not sure why anyone would equate sweetness to having sugar. Sucrose is not very sweet. Artificial sweeteners are roughly 200x as sweet, thats why companies force them on you. Saves them $$$$. Just like with drugs, most of what you see is just filler.
I produced an intermediate for a new sweetener for nutrasweet some years back, 8000x as sweet as sugar.
Its big money but to point, trace compounds impart taste.
chknfngrs
05-03-2017, 10:30
A little coconut oil and whiskey in the hot cocoa makes for the perfect after dinner treat
Just ask the experts here. It's obvious they know all about coconut oil through their extensive research.
Yes, I use it on trail for it's readily available source of energy - MCT's - medium chain fatty acids that are metabolized differently than long chain fatty acids, sometimes referred to as healthy fats. Coconut oil is more than 60% three MCT's with noted health benefits - caprylic acid, lauric acid, and capric acid. In addition coconut oil provides anti-fungal, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antiviral properties, high amounts of Vit E and polyphenols, multiple uses as a moisturizer, appetite suppression, when I want my energy source to be fats rather than sugars(helps in several ways with one side benefit it lowers the food wt needed to be hauled for energy needs), and several other widely held and discussed possible benefits. It still gets a bad wrap in some scientific circles because it's still believed by some saturated fats are the always the enemy.
There's no sugar calories in coconut oil despite opinions saying it imparts a sweetness.
I find these small individual packets in Earthfare and sometimes Whole Foods and elsewhere.https://taldepot.com/vita-coco-organic-extra-virgin-organic-coconut-oil-40-x-0-25-oz-packs-single-box.html?fee=1&fep=3418&gclid=CPK4-rOF09MCFUs9gQodvdIP4A
A few months ago I posted this about finding .51 oz(wt of product) in individual packets in a 14 packet box at Trader Joes than on sale for $3.99. https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/123345-Trader-Joes-Organic-Virgin-Coocnut-Oil-Packets
Dogwood said it better than I ever could. It's an excellent source of fat energy with a good flavor. Various side benefits like the ability to use it as a natural lubricant. Multiple health benefits. Far better than the more common canola or vegetable oils. It's a bit quirky to deal with because of the melting point. Also probably hard to find along the trail in some places? Not sure, since I'm always a section hiker (so far).
Slo-go'en
05-03-2017, 10:56
A friend of mine won't eat anything with cocoanut in it as he says it tastes like suntan lotion :)
I find these small individual packets in Earthfare and sometimes Whole Foods and elsewhere.https://taldepot.com/vita-coco-organic-extra-virgin-organic-coconut-oil-40-x-0-25-oz-packs-single-box.html?fee=1&fep=3418&gclid=CPK4-rOF09MCFUs9gQodvdIP4A
A few months ago I posted this about finding .51 oz(wt of product) in individual packets in a 14 packet box at Trader Joes than on sale for $3.99. https://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php/123345-Trader-Joes-Organic-Virgin-Coocnut-Oil-Packets
Your post is what got me interested in coconut oil. I now use it on morning toast with raisins spread in the middle and then folded like a hot dog. I use it for frying eggs in one egg wonder. I like the taste.
Farr Away
05-04-2017, 12:27
Your post is what got me interested in coconut oil. I now use it on morning toast with raisins spread in the middle and then folded like a hot dog. I use it for frying eggs in one egg wonder. I like the taste.
I like it to fry potatoes in. And that actually got my son to like fried potatoes.
-FA
Just Bill
05-04-2017, 13:32
I wouldn't add too many superfood tags to it (like muscle recovery) but it is certainly a useful oil and nutritious calorie to carry. We use it at home (EVOO and this stuff) these days. There is a flavor but it's a good one IMO and is great for doing stir fry's and veggies- though the egg thing is a "like it or don't" example of where that flavor might not be welcome. its not good for high temp flash cooking, but for most things it's pleasant or even better than other alternatives. Asian, indian, or even Mexican spice profiles go great... Italian dishes... not so much.
For me, it's basically an issue of functionality for lack of a better term for on trail. Once it goes back to liquid I didn't like it much and had some leaks. That said I don't often carry much oil on the trail so for me the bonus was having a food source that was functionally like peanut butter. It's really good as frosting on an otherwise dry or boring "bar". Great as a spread on toast as mentioned and it melts like butter once applied. I also very much found it good for chafing, rubbing on dry cold feet, and even as a good windburn/chapstick type function in winter.
It is by far the most palatable fat I've used... I could never get into the old shot of olive oil trick... but this stuff is tasty and doesn't hit your system the same way so again- if I can spread it... great way to use it.
Just Bill
05-04-2017, 13:35
A little coconut oil and whiskey in the hot cocoa makes for the perfect after dinner treat
When winter camping I like a hot toddy of some sort before bed. I've been doing an orange spice/chamomile tea with a dollop of coconut oil and whiskey (as opposed to the pat of butter I used to use for fat).
But this also sounds rather yummy
devoidapop
05-04-2017, 13:41
Melt coconut oil. Mix with muesli, chia seeds, honey, and yogurt. Store in the fridge overnight. It makes a power packed breakfast that you can hike all day on.
BuckeyeBill
05-04-2017, 15:37
Melt coconut oil. Mix with muesli, chia seeds, honey, and yogurt. Store in the fridge overnight. It makes a power packed breakfast that you can hike all day on.
Now this is something I am willing to try.
chknfngrs
05-10-2017, 14:32
Because you carry a refrigerator with you?
plexusbritt
05-10-2017, 14:49
I like it for a moisturizer. I put it (softened) into a travel dressing bottle with a few drops of lavender oil as conditioner for my hair.
On the trail, I don't use it a whole lot but, have liked it on my feet.
BuckeyeBill
05-10-2017, 16:38
I don't carry a fridge with me, but this would work for a two day hike. I would probably freeze it instead of refrigeration. Just sounds tasty to me.
Riocielo
05-10-2017, 17:51
I like it for a moisturizer. I put it (softened) into a travel dressing bottle with a few drops of lavender oil as conditioner for my hair.
On the trail, I don't use it a whole lot but, have liked it on my feet.
It is also a great makeup remover. I've noticed that since I've started using it to remove my mascara, my eyelashes have grown a lot longer.
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Vey nice plexusbritt. Niece does this and rubbed into her skin. Skin is radiant. No Flintstone feet. Hair is silky smooth. Smells good too.
saltysack
05-10-2017, 23:06
Vey nice plexusbritt. Niece does this and rubbed into her skin. Skin is radiant. No Flintstone feet. Hair is silky smooth. Smells good too.
Thoughts on using instead of body glide mainly on feet? Want to try those TJ packs in my breakfast coffee concoction but since I drink it cold doubt would work....
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DownEaster
06-16-2017, 15:04
New report: "Coconut oil isn't healthy. It's never been healthy." (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/06/16/coconut-oil-isnt-healthy-its-never-been-healthy/402719001/) Low in nutritional value, with no proven upside benefits (from a consumption standpoint, that is; it's still a good moisturizer). You're much better off carrying lard on the trail.
...
You're much better off carrying lard on the trail.
It worked on the Oregon Trail.
Wayne
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Kaptainkriz
06-16-2017, 20:07
Will it burn in a stove? :D
Your post is what got me interested in coconut oil. I now use it on morning toast with raisins spread in the middle and then folded like a hot dog. I use it for frying eggs in one egg wonder. I like the taste.
Now this is something I am willing to try.
Goes well with coconut milk to wash it down.
https://silk.com/products/original-coconutmilk
Coconut milk is used in plant tissue culture... is it any wonder that the oil makes eyelashes grow ;-)
Will it burn in a stove? https://whiteblaze.net/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif
Now you've done it.....I had other plans for today. I'll see how it burns on cotton balls first. :-)
Kaptainkriz
06-18-2017, 15:34
What better to do than light things on fire on a Father's Day afternoon! Ummm, it works, but makes a giant greasy sooty mess of the pot.
Better used as a fire starter. :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-Jpzlg_0To
Now you've done it.....I had other plans for today. I'll see how it burns on cotton balls first. :-)
Traffic Jam
06-18-2017, 17:26
I like this response from Dr. Kevin Sprouse, the team physician for Cannondale-Garmin cycling.
"Is it though???
Wow. I've gotten a lot of questions about this "news", so here are my thoughts, if you care to read them.
As with many such headlines, the media has handled this either incredibly ignorantly or just inappropriately. Probably both. There is no new study here. The data are the same as they have been, but the AHA is just reiterating their position on saturated fats.
Coconut oil is not bad for you. It's also not good for you. It's a natural food product. Eaten in moderation, it can have some very beneficial effects. Consumed in crazy quantities, it may cause problems. This, of course, is the case with any food!
The headline for this article makes an assumption that beef and butter are obviously and inherently deadly dietary choices. They aren't.
The studies referenced in this article do NOT link coconut oil to heart disease. Far from it. They look at saturated fat intake (not coconut oil specifically) and correlate it to LDL increase. For otherwise healthy folks, a modest increase in LDL does not necessarily correlate with an increased risk of heart disease. Saturated fats can also raise HDL, or "good" cholesterol. It will have little impact on triglyceride level, as that is mediated by carbohydrate intake, for the most part.
But the most troubling thing is the fact that it seems as though there is some shroud of mystery here. Are we stuck listening to the opinion of an ill-informed science writer at the AP? Or can we just check for ourselves? If you're worried about your lipid profile, do a simple blood test and find out what it looks like. I recommend one that checks your cholesterol particle sizes too. Sure, some people probably need to avoid excess saturated fats. Others do quite well on them. For a few bucks, you can find out where you stand. For what it's worth, I eat my fair share of beef, butter, and coconut oil, and I'd wager that my lipid panel looks at least as good, if not better, than that of the guy in this article. I have many patients who could say the same thing, but there are some for whom saturated fats need to be limited. We are all individuals, not compilations of data from studies.Don't sit around guessing how your body may be responding to a given diet or lifestyle. Take the time to do some simple tests and find out!"
HelloNeiman!
06-18-2017, 17:29
BEWARE. The medical opinion of Coconut Oil consumption has changed with recent research.
From USA Today a couple days ago...
"The American Heart Association recently released a report advising against the use of coconut oil.
The Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease advisory reviewed existing data on saturated fat, showing coconut oil increased LDL ("bad") cholesterol in seven out of seven controlled trials. Researchers didn't see a difference between coconut oil and other oils high in saturated fat, like butter, beef fat and palm oil. In fact, 82% of the fat in coconut oil is saturated, according to the data — far beyond butter (63%), beef fat (50%) and pork lard (39%)."
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/402719001/
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Don't you love the Internet!
Dueling press releases. What else is new?
Wayne
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MCT - medium chain fats found in palm kernels and coconuts:
It promises to deliver twice the energy of carbohydrates and proteins, and tastes bland. Apparently consuming too much has a laxative effect. Virgin olive oil seems the safer bet as many Greeks will attest to.
39660
Traffic Jam
06-18-2017, 17:53
Don't you love the Internet!
Dueling press releases. What else is new?
Wayne
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Which is why I follow the advice...everything in moderation. :)
What better to do than light things on fire on a Father's Day afternoon! Ummm, it works, but makes a giant greasy sooty mess of the pot.
Better used as a fire starter. :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T-Jpzlg_0To
You went the extra mile....thank you :-) I did a burn test with a Q-Tip saturated with it and it indicated a clean burn. I suspect it needs a tightly woven wick type stove such as the Fancee Feest with very little wick being exposed.
Thanks for taking the time to do the test :-) And now we know it's a dual purpose oil :-)
I love coconut oil- in foods esp curries, as a simple moisturizer, as a lip balm, for callous and blister care, in my coffee and hot cocoa, and in homemade cookie bars.
Surprisingly, different brands have very different flavors, so if you didn't like the taste consider trying a new brand. I like carrington farms brand. (Wally World carries it) as a tasty fairly cheap option. All fats and oils can go rancid, but this takes much longer than tree nuts or olive oil. Coconut oil is fine at room temp or warm for a couple months. Rancid oil smells and tastes like bad medicine, it is full of free radicals, is not good for you so throw it out! Fresh coconut oil smells and tastes... well... good!
I'm a bit of a foodie. :)
coconut oil oil is just one more good option to add while diversifying your meals whether at home or on trail.
Just my 2 cents worth.
I haven't used the oil on the trail but I use coconut shavings and I highly recommend it. Great to add to breakfasts or by it's self as a snack. It also has properties for settling an upset stomach and I have used it for that reason and it worked. So multiple uses.
Riocielo
06-19-2017, 16:16
I have heard several people on news and show talk about coconut oil and perks. Has anyone used it on the trail?
It's a great makeup remover!
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T.S.Kobzol
06-19-2017, 16:49
just came here to say that Coconut and Cocoa Nut are two different things.
Cocoa Nut:
https://hungryhungryhippie.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/img_4915.jpg
Coconut:
http://consciouscoconut.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/coconut.jpg
I haven't used the oil on the trail but I use coconut shavings and I highly recommend it. Great to add to breakfasts or by it's self as a snack. It also has properties for settling an upset stomach and I have used it for that reason and it worked. So multiple uses.
I Agree, great as a snack.
Low calorie coconut mints are too good ;-) can't just eat one :-)
One Half
06-27-2017, 23:07
New report: "Coconut oil isn't healthy. It's never been healthy." (https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/06/16/coconut-oil-isnt-healthy-its-never-been-healthy/402719001/) Low in nutritional value, with no proven upside benefits (from a consumption standpoint, that is; it's still a good moisturizer). You're much better off carrying lard on the trail.
The "study" that this article continues to rely on is bogus. Follows no scientific repeatable standards. Relied a lot on reports by relatives after people died actually.
http://www.wheatbellyblog.com/2017/06/american-heart-association-saturated-fat/
One Half
06-27-2017, 23:10
BEWARE. The medical opinion of Coconut Oil consumption has changed with recent research.
From USA Today a couple days ago...
"The American Heart Association recently released a report advising against the use of coconut oil.
The Dietary Fats and Cardiovascular Disease advisory reviewed existing data on saturated fat, showing coconut oil increased LDL ("bad") cholesterol in seven out of seven controlled trials. Researchers didn't see a difference between coconut oil and other oils high in saturated fat, like butter, beef fat and palm oil. In fact, 82% of the fat in coconut oil is saturated, according to the data — far beyond butter (63%), beef fat (50%) and pork lard (39%)."
https://www.google.com/amp/amp.usatoday.com/story/402719001/
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See my previous post but this is not new research. And the "study" had many flaws.
Coconut oil has a lot of health benefits as Dogwood said. The individual packets at TJ's are the easiest way to carry it. We tried carrying it in mylar bags but it melted and leaked and was a huge mess. (Pack didn't squeak though).
I have also had problems with extra virgin coconut oil going rancid, so for the boxes I shipped over a month in advance I used refined coconut oil.
I like to add coconut oil to a Thai curry spice packet and some dried shrimp for dinner.
I am writing a cookbook on high fat recipes for backpacking, you can see some recipes and sign up for the book release on https://ketogenicbackpacking.com/about/
The refined coconut oil doesn't have this issue. Trader Joe's jar proudly states "no flavor"
MCT - medium chain fats found in palm kernels and coconuts:
It promises to deliver twice the energy of carbohydrates and proteins, and tastes bland. Apparently consuming too much has a laxative effect. Virgin olive oil seems the safer bet as many Greeks will attest to.
39660
ORRR, the ancient Greeks culturally preferred olive oil because that was more locally commercially available? If you can find me anywhere substantiated by historical accounts(not opinions) ancient Greeks made "safety" comparisons between coconut oil and olive oil please share.
jensaito
08-06-2017, 09:48
Of course! I used it as a natural skin moisturize, sunscreen, insect repellent, shaving cream, also coconut oil is good for burns, scratches, and blisters, due to its antibacterial effect, and for cooking (pancakes and toasts are so yummy with it!).
Coconut oil for sunscreen? Not if you're at all fair skinned!
So...because the "right study" hasn't been done yet, the scientists at the AHA are a bunch of idiots for basing their research on everything that has been done up to now and concluding something that we don't want to hear?
So...because the "right study" hasn't been done yet, the scientists at the AHA are a bunch of idiots for basing their research on everything that has been done up to now and concluding something that we don't want to hear?
Science is self correcting. Poor evidence is replaced with quality evidence. "don't want to hear" ? Simple, don't listen. We live in a society where belief in science is optional.
JeffreyH
08-27-2017, 11:49
I take coconut oil on hikes for calories. I've also heard that it's very good for health.
jeremywerlin
08-28-2017, 12:35
Good calories and tastes great with Thai dishes.
walkinmyshoes
10-01-2017, 09:08
Guess you can use coconut oil on hikes. But you should check it twice before you choose the best one. For example, I bought the Thai Coco coconut oil and the Exotic Food coconut oil. 40451 40452 Thai Coco is a full-fat and Exotic Food contains less fat. Exotic Food coconut oil contains a bit more carbs and proteins. The Exotic Food coconut oil contains a bit more carbs and proteins. But the first one has a brighter and more authentic taste.