When you’re on keto and other low-carb diets, most fruits are a surprising no-no. Why? Because to the untrained eye, though fruits may appear to be innocent, they’re actually packed with sugar, which parlays into carbs.
But coconuts? That’s a different story!
The coconut is a “drupe” fruit, meaning a stone fruit where the flesh surrounds a single shell (the pit, stone, or pyrene) of hardened endocarp with a seed (kernel) inside. Think cherries, apricots, plums, avocados, and olives as similar examples.
When it comes to the keto diet, coconuts are actually an ideal addition because of the quality of fat it contains. More Ketogenic than any other fat, MCT provides the body with boosts of energy, good fats and natural stimulants that encourage mental clarity. And surprise surprise, coconut is chockfull of this keto-friendly source!
And furthermore, just to put things into perspective, one cup of fresh, unsweetened coconut contains only 5g of sugar.
So, how can you get “coco-nuts” with coconuts?
Get Baking
Coconuts can equal coconut flour, which makes a fine, keto-friendly flour substitute for your desserts! Challenge yourself and try to crack that keto-brownie recipe you’ve been wanting to try.
Get Oily
Coconut oil is a superior oil to many, thanks to its MCT content. Opt to incorporate it into your keto-friendly cooking, as it adds an excellent taste to curries, stews, and stir-frys.
Get Creative
There’s a world of possibilities when it comes to using coconut shards. When toasted, they’re delicious and make an excellent garnish or meal staple. Fun fact: vegans use liquid smoke to emulate “bacon” when it comes to creating a plant-based substitute for the fatty keto favorite.
Get Creamy
If you’re dairy-free and need an excellent substitute (and you miss those parfaits and smoothies), then unsweetened, natural coconut yogurt is HIGHLY recommended. Many say that of all of the yogurt alternatives, this is the best tasting, and the same goes for coconut cream. This is an excellent addition to soups and curries, as well as “pasta” dishes.
