Why Putting Coconut Oil in Your Coffee Can Help You Lose Weight

Why Putting Coconut Oil in Your Coffee Can Help You Lose Weight

50 Amazing Uses for Coconut Oil Coconut oil is one of those “it” products right now that has u… Read »

Others commented on it first. I travel a lot, so I don’t see the same people consistently for sometimes months or even years, and therefore hesitate to take notice of compliments. After all, perceived weight loss can often be traced back to a new haircut.

However, this weekend I returned to my childhood home where my reserve wardrobe lay in wait. I slipped on a pair of old British Racing Green skinny jeans and to my surprise, they slid right off! I couldn’t believe my eyes. I remember these jeans being extremely form-fitting when I bought them a few years ago but it seems my body, along with my life, has undergone a metamorphosis since then.

I am someone who always struggled with their weight. I always had hang-ups over what I looked like and forever felt like I was packing a few extra pounds. Even my best efforts to slim down didn’t do much to change my body shape. So ultimately I gave up. I decided life was too short for diets and went on to eat what I wanted. There was one condition: whatever I ate was a conscious choice, and I cut out any crap.

My basic policy was ‘if it didn’t grow in the ground or fall off a tree’ I wasn’t interested. My aim was to eat as whole and natural as possible. I also relaxed the guilt and anxiety around food, because I felt comforted by the knowledge that I was eating well, for health and for energy, so if a little chocolate slipped in I wouldn’t worry about it.

For a while, I felt better, but looked the same.

Then, almost a year ago, I started to drink my coffee with coconut oil, butter and a little honey in it. I’d read something about ‘Bulletproof’ coffee and was curious. I always struggled with blood sugar spikes as a result of having a cup of Joe and apparently the oils help slow down the impact of the caffeine.

I’ve also come to learn through Ayurveda that including more fats in my life would be beneficial.

Recommended read: Everything You Need to Know About Ayurveda

Ayurveda, the traditional healing system in India, recognizes that everything in existence is made up of 5 elements: Fire, Water, Earth, Air and Space. These elements partner together to form ‘doshas’ or ‘types’ that influence our physical attributes and mental characteristics.

Vata is the dosha of Air and Space. Its qualities are dry and cold, so oils (among other things) help smooth and ground Vata. Pitta is Fire and Water. Its qualities are heat and intensity. It is a good idea to cool and soothe Pitta with good quality dairy and things like cucumber. Kappa is the pairing of Earth and Water. Its qualities are heavy and slow. To balance Kapha, lighter foods and warming, stimulating spices are recommended. So for me, a classic Vata/Pitta mix, oils in my coffee help to ground my airy Vata brain, smooth my poor airy Vata digestion and cool my Pitta hyperactivity.

I love anything that has a rich and creamy flavor and I’d tried butter tea when I was traveling in the Himalayas, so the concept didn’t disgust me.

Fast forward a few months and without having measured it ‘officially’ I can see that my body fat ratio has dropped quite dramatically and my weight is yo-yoing a lot less.

It’s hard to say for sure if it’s my modified morning coffee that has caused this change in my curves or not, but it’s the only new habit I have adopted consistently that could be responsible for my shrinking waistline.

The official line on ‘Bulletproof’ coffee is that it is supposed to provide a prolonged energy hit, sharpen your focus and keep you feeling full. Apparently the caffeine combine with the fats to slowly release it’s effects into the body over a longer period of time.

According to David Asprey, the mastermind behind the mix, we should use coffee brewed with low-toxin beans as much as possible, then combine it with unsalted grass-fed butter, plus MCT oil, such as coconut oil, that is rumored to have fat-burning properties. It’s important to use quality coconut oil, which you can shop here.

MCT stands for Medium Chain Triglycerides, which occur naturally in coconut oil. Upon doing a little research, I found that athletes swear MCTs not only give them more energy, but improve their metabolism and ability to burn fat too. Try this high-quality MCT oil from Onnit, which you can buy here.

According to Dr. Laurie Cullen at the Women’s Institute, when MCTs are absorbed into the blood stream, they bypass the digestion process that longer chain fats go through. MCTs provide quick energy for the body and are thus less likely to be stored in the fat cells. Furthermore, Dr. Cullen says that when a meal includes medium chain triglycerides, there is a significant increase in the number of calories burned (thermogenic effect). When more calories are used, fewer are stored as fat, which helps to reduce body fat levels.

Go figure.

I’ve also noticed other things since going ‘Bulletproof’ like better blood sugar control, better digestion, smoother skin and a more radiant complexion, glossier hair and nicer nails. So whether my weight loss is down to my revised coffee ritual or not, I will continue to put the extras in my mug!

Here is how you make it (the simple way):

1. Brew a cup of your favorite low toxin coffee. If you’re looking for a new fave, try this!
2. Add in 1-2 tablespoons of coconut oil (start with 1 and work your way up to 2).
3. Add 1-2 tablespoons grass-fed, unsalted butter or ghee.
4. Drink it up!

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