Coconut oil speeds up metabolism, boosts the immune system, and has many other benefits. Here are 10 ways to add coconut oil into your diet and daily life.
You’ve read how amazing coconut oil is…
You know it speeds up the metabolism, boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, kills fungi, yeast and bacteria, improves calcium and magnesium absorption and supports the development of strong bones and teeth, improves digestion and bowel function, supports thyroid function, helps to prevent wrinkles and sagging skin, and can improve the look and health of your hair.
How do I add coconut oil into my diet?
This is a question I get asked quite often. So I decided to list a few different ways you can add coconut oil into your diet and how to use to replace your personal care products.
1. Cooking With Coconut Oil
This is the most common way people use coconut oil. Use coconut oil in all your cooking. Replace your other cooking oils (like canola, corn or all purpose vegetable oils, which are toxic) with virgin or expeller pressed coconut oil. You can also bake with coconut oil too! If you check out my recipes page, you will see that I use coconut oil in almost all my baking! Find quality coconut oil here.
2. Add Coconut Oil To Smoothies, Yogurt, Soups and Hot Drinks
Aside from cooking, you can add coconut oil into your smoothies, coffee or tea, yogurt and homemade bone broth. Just make sure to gently melt your coconut oil and slowly pour and stir it into your smoothies and yogurt. This will help the coconut oil from clumping in your cold goodies! The coconut oil will melt when added to hot drinks or soups.
3. Make Coconut Oil Candy
Coconut oil candy is by far the most yummy way to enjoy coconut oil! Its also a great way to get your kids to eat coconut oil too! My favorite coconut oil candy recipe is my Coconut Oil Chocolate Bars!
4. Use Coconut Oil As A Moisturizer
This is one of my favorite ways to use coconut oil! Your skin will be super soft and smooth from using coconut oil. I’ve exclusively used virgin coconut oil as a moisturizer for my daughter from the day she was born! No need to purchase lotions, which can have toxic ingredients! Also, did you know that what you put on your skin can absorbs straight into your blood stream? If you wouldn’t eat it, don’t put in on your skin! Coconut oil can also be used in place of diaper rash cream! My daughter has had 3-4 diaper rashes and every time she’s had one I applied Virgin Coconut Oil to the rash and within 24 hours the rash was gone! Learn how to make whipped coconut oil moisturizer here.
5. Brush Your Teeth With Coconut Oil
This may sound odd to some of you, but coconut oil works great for cleaning your mouth and teeth. Remember, coconut oil kills bacteria! Mix coconut oil with sea salt and baking soda and use like you would toothpaste. If you don’t want to exclusively use coconut oil for brushing your teeth you can use it after or before brushing your teeth too. I rub coconut oil on my toothbrush then add my toothpaste and brush my teeth. I do this for my daughter as well! You can also make homemade coconut oil toothpaste with clay, baking soda and coconut oil.
6. Deodorant
You can use coconut oil as a deodorant! You can also make a homemade deodorant made with coconut oil. Try my recipe here.
7. Coconut Bath Oil & Salt Scrub
Add a teaspoon of coconut oil to your bath and use as you would any bath oil or make a salt scrub using coconut oil, salt and essential oils. I made some this week and my family loves it! We used real sea salt, as it is the only salt I use, but you can use any salt.
8. Coconut Oil Hair Treatment
You are missing out if you haven’t coconut oil for hair! Use a tablespoon of Virgin Coconut Oil and massage your hair and scalp. Leave it in for at least an hour, then wash hair. This can be done 1-3 times a week. The coconut oil will nourish your scalp and hair and will help your scalp from drying and your hair from breaking.
9. Drink Coconut Milk
Enjoy a glass of raw homemade coconut milk! When you make homemade coconut milk you will see and taste the coconut oil in the milk. The coconut oil will bead up in fresh cold coconut milk (making it easy to extract and use if you want to). Use fresh coconut milk as a beverage, in smoothies, baking (can be used in place of milk in some recipes), and in soups!
10. Oil Pulling
From Coconut Research Center, “Some people think I’m crazy when I tell them that oil pulling can help those with asthma, allergies, chronic fatigue, diabetes, migraine headaches, PMS, and chronic skin problems. Oil pulling works by detoxifying or cleansing the body. In this way, disease promoting toxins are removed, thus allowing the body to heal itself. As a consequence, health problems of all types improve.” To oil pull, all you have to do is use Virgin Coconut Oil like mouthwash. Swoosh for 15-20 minutes a day. Read more about Oil Pulling here.
Resources:
- Coconut Oil Miracle & Coconut Cures by Dr. Bruce Fife
- Coconut Research Center
loved reading all of this my question is what kind of coconut oil is the best how much do I need in a day’s time can you overtake too much????? So many questions can ask them all.
I was wondering if it wouldn’t be more beneficial to do oil pulling before you go to bed instead of in the morning. My thinking was that at night is when all the bacteria grow rapidly because the mouth is shut and I would think they would get into the bloodstream in higher amounts. So, if you oil pulled before going to bed, there would be less bacteria during this more favorable environment to grow. I only ask because you recommend we do it in the morning on an empty stomach. What is the difference and does it make a difference?
Just started using coconut oil and your blog is just what I needed! Thank you!
Before ready this amazing article i had no clue that coconut oil could do so much, THANK YOU!!! This was such a helpful article!
Thank you so much for all your suggestions. I used coconut oil on my body for a while but not my face. Can i use it on my face too? I am scared that it is too greasy and clogs my pores. Also I will try using it in my smoothies or soups. Can I use it in my protein shake? Again thank you so much.
I use coconut oil as a face moisturizer often after I shower and I’ve never had a problem with it clogging my pores! 🙂
Hi I have used coconut oil for a long time and I agree with most of what you have shared about it. Thanks for sharing these 10 different ways of using it, Tiffany!
Love all this info. Will definitely give these ideas a try. Especially the moistureiser
I use to cook with Coconut Oil. I had no idea it can be so useful. I must try all 10 Ways To use Coconut Oil. Thank you
my honey of 65 years has onset dementia and wonder if anyone has had experience with coconut oil benefits healthwise. realy would like some comments thanks
I haven’t read this one yet, but this covers the info you’re looking for.
http://www.amazon.com/Stop-Alzheimers-Now-Parkinsons-Neurodegenerative/dp/094159985X/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1452277900&sr=1-3&keywords=bruce+fife
~ Tiffany
I love eating Coconut Oil right from the jar. A couple of spoonfuls and I am set. I don’t find that there is a taste though.
You need to use the Unrefined organic coconut oil you will find a subtle taste of coconut which is lovely especially after brushing your teeth with it
“Hi,
Thank you for all your great suggestions for using coconut oil in daily life. I’ve try it as hair treatment and moisturizer, it works really well! I am thinking about using it with the oil diffuser, but still wondering about which type is better…. Have you ever used it as that way? Can you give me some advices? Thank you. “
I want to order coconut oil to try for oil pulling and brushing teeth, but I am not sure which one to get. I want to also start drinking/cooking can you use the same one or is there different kinds?
Can I add coconut oil to my child milk
Hello, after reading your article about using coconut oil in smoothies and yogurts, I’d like to try that but what kind of coconut oil do you recommend that I use in my smoothies/yogurts?
coconut oil actually works wonder as moisturizer , but I was a little apprehensive about using it in soup or desserts, as it departs a smell, hope to manage it soon.
Hi, thank you for this wonderful site. I have psoriasis in my scalp and over my body, will coconut oil help me as I’m so unhappy. If it helps how would I apply it. Thank you.
Yes, being a dietician I can say that coconut oil is very beneficial for everyone. Besides this, as you said, using the coconut oil in food is one of the easiest ways to include it in our diet. I just checked out the recipes page you have shared. Thanks a lot for them, I will definitely try at least one of the coconut recipes 🙂
What kind of coconut oil do you buy for health problems? I have Lyme’s disease and was wondering if helps that? Oh and how much do you use in one day?
Because of your article on Oil Pulling, I have started to do it twice a day. I have worked up to 5 min per time. We do not use Coconut Oil for cooking/eating. I am interested in starting. Is it possible to eat too much?
I just want to say I am a big coconut oil advocate. I’m an RN and have many friends turn to me for advice… Coconut oil is always one thing I tell them to use… As for my personal use, I use it to treat fibro, hypothyroidism, and to shrink (along with a few other supplements) a ‘growth’ in my L lung. plus a few other health issues. I put it in my dog’s food and since doing so there are no more hotspots they would get when shedding and scratching. Plus their coats are now shiny and softer than normal… I am a true believer in all the good coconut oil provides… and it tastes so good! I use it as butter, cooking oil, in my health and beauty products and am now wanting to start making homemade soaps… If I were stranded on a desert island with only a coconut tree… I know I’d be rescued with my health intact… 🙂
After twenty years if suffering with pain, I have been diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. How do you use coconut oil and what does it help with?
You said that you only use sea salt and I have heard that Himalayan Pink Salt is great for you. Any reason why you don’t use it?
Thanks, I have been looking for this post for quite a while. Leaving posts all over the internet in hopes that someone could tell me how to use coconut oil.
i am resharing this information.
I always just eat a spoonful of Coconut Oil first thing on a morning! But I’ll definitely try adding to to my smoothies and green tea! Yum.
I was wondering if I could do that… Thanx
Some really great uses of oil! Personally I use coconut oil as a face moisturizer or if I have an exczema! And eat a tablespoon most days because it has great detoxifying properties!
But my all time favourite uses for Oil have to be Oil Pulling and Hot Oil Hair Treatments! I have been doing both for years and the benefits really are incredible if you do them regularly
I add a spoonful to breakfast cereal. However, my children and I cannot use coconut oil on our skin or hair as it reacts and smells absolutely awful – something like the fumes from an electrical fire – and the smell lingers strongly for weeks despite rigorous daily scubbing. It was very embarrassing. Two other friends I know have this same issue, though I do know a few people who use coconut oil topically with no smell. It doesn’t matter what brand is used. Just a caution – test a tiny spot first, and ask someone else if they can smell anything weird, too, in case your nose doesn’t register it.
Hi Anon, not sure if you’ve tried this yet but if you apply the shampoo to scalp with no water first it will break down the oils & the shampoo scent is most potent. All you do is apply the shampoo to your scalp and massage. Add a bit of water on your hands. Just enough to get a small lather to pull through to the ends. Once you have the shampoo throughout your entire hair just leave it sit for a few minutes then rinse thoroughly. Hope this helps!
As a makeup remover! It is the BEST!!!!
Coconut or Coconut oil isn’t good for everyone, I’ve been consuming it on and off for years, always organic, and the oil virgin raw, but all coconut products give be dry, itchy red, and swollen eyes within minutes of consuming it, which is a shame as I love coconut,. When the oil is applied to my scan it goes scaly and dry, and it looks like eczema ,, hmmm why is the world so cruel, glad most people are enjoying the benefits though.
I was wondering if the 1000mg coconut oil capsules, of which I take three/day, are something that you would deem a viable way to consume our favorite oil? It just seems a little too easy for me in that form. Thanks, in advance, for any and all replies. Peace, Kenny
I just started using pure virgin coconut oil for it’s health benefits. I had read in many articles that 3 tbsp. a day would heal me and make me feel better but, none of those articles told me how to take it and I couldn’t see how just cooking in it would get me 3 tbsp. a day. So, first I tried to just eat the spoonfuls which made me gag to the point of almost throwing it up. Now, I’m using it in place of margarine/butter on toast and sandwiches. I enjoyed your ideas on other ways to add it into my diet and will try them and thought you might enjoy my idea as well. Cheers! 🙂
I just love you site I am a Caribbean girl. love coconuts we use it a lot in the Caribbean.we get the chance to drink fresh coconut water everyday. but I didn’t realize there so much more you can do with coconut just enjoy reading all your wonderful ideas.
Are you using the same type of coconut oil for the cooking that you would for the different personal care items? If not, where would you get one opposed to the other? (I’ve bought coconut oil in grocery store, but have never used it for things like hair etc.)
LIKE COCONUT IN ALL FORMS
I love all your ideas for using coconut oil! I have been using it some and just love it. I tried to make my own coconut milk and after it was in the fridge to chill, it got so hard I couldn’t stir it or shake it or anything! It was not usable! Any ideas what I could do different?
Does it matter if you use unrefined or refined coconut oil?? Thanks.
My two favorite ways to add coconut oil to my diet is to add it to my morning oatmeal and drizzle it over my popcorn. It makes my organic steel cut oatmeal nice and creamy, and my popcorn tastes surprisingly buttery 🙂
Love the article … I mix one Tbsp coc oil with 1 tsp chia seeds 1tsp flax seeds and spread on a veggie cracker … delicious snack!
How do I add this wonderful oil into my diet?
If you are trying to lose weight do as I do. I keep a pint organic cocoanut oil on my kitchen counter and eat a COLD spoonful between meals. This will decrease your appetite at meal time. The high calorie content of the cocoanut FAT will encourage the burning of body FAT.
Yeah it is counter intuitive. Just try it for ONE week and check YOUR results. You may need to be a results ONLY caveman to do this. LOL!
the recipes link under #1 doesnt work.
Thank you! I just updated it 🙂
What about the coconut itself? The coconut “water” and the “white meat” inside a coconut. Do they also replace e.g. the oil?
shoot I have to buy the book just to make the deodorant ?? No thanks I can get my sis in law’s recipe for free on her website.
Does cooking with coconut oil make your food taste like coconut? What about popping popcorn with it?
You can use coconut oil for popping popcorn (I’m planning on posting my recipe for that in the next week or so). I don’t use virgin coconut oil for cooking because it does make everything taset like coconut. We use organic refined coconut oil – no coconut flavor!
I use it to pop popcorn all the time my kids like it better than with regular oil. Put a little bit of garlic salt and your good to go.
Unfortunately, if you are a blood type “O”, Dr. D’Adamo of Eat Right 4 Your Type advises that coconut meat/milk/oil is considered a no-no ( unless you are a non-secretor – then it is neutral ) : AVOID: Enhances effect of other food toxins. Flocculates serum or precipitates serum proteins.
http://www.dadamo.com/typebase4/depictor5.pl?2
I don’t promote Eat Right 4 Your Type diet. I believe in real-traditional food. Coconut oil is a traditional fat/food used by people for thousands of years.
Book Review: Eat Right 4 Your Type
http://www.westonaprice.org/thumbs-down-reviews/eat-right-4-your-type
Thank you for taking the time to clarify your position !
I agree with Tiffany. No matter what blood type you are coconut oil and products are extremely healthy for you.
Coconut Oil Chocolate Bars
What a great idea combining two of the most healthful foods on planet earth in a scandalously delicious treat. This is the way to health.
Hi, How much oil do you add in a typical day to your smoothies/etc? I dont want to over do it! 1 teas maybe 2 x a day? Thanks, and I love your site!
Start small and work your way up to 2-3 tbs daily.
Great list! I love to fry anything I can get my hands in in coconut oil. Nom nom nom
Great roundup of ways to use coconut oil! I’ll be featuring it on my Facebook page – http://www.facebook.com/SimpleDailyChange – on Tuesday, April 23rd, at 8am PST.
Thank you!
Love your website, by the way.
Thanks 🙂
I put coconut oil in my morning coffee since last spring. Â I have not had chapped lips (a chronic problem in Minnesota during our cold winters) at all this season. Â My skin looks a lot better and I don’t have morning brain fog anymore.
I too, live in MN, south of the cities. Thanks for the hint for chapped lips, I will be using it come this winter.
I am nervous to add some to my latte, I keep thinking the oil will just separate. I think I’ll add some when I get to the end and just gulp it down.
You mentioned cocnut oil is a cold sore healer. What do you do with it for this purpose?
Apply it to your cold sores. If it is inside your mouth, apply oil pulls.
Hi I have used coconut oil for a long time but it made .my daughters cold sore worse I checked Carolyn Deans book and it does say not to use it on cold sores just thought I would pass my experience on
Sorry not Carolyn Dean I meant Bruce Fife!
Good day! This is my 1st comment here so I just wanted to give a
quick shout out and say I truly enjoy reading your
articles. Can you suggest any other blogs/websites/forums that deal with the same subjects?
Thank you!
I love your site and all the coconut recipes. I use coconut oil as the base for all my medicinal balms or salves. I also use it to condition my wood cutting board and to lubricate my knife for sharpening.
One note: be sure to use virgin coconut oil for making deodorant (or as deodorant) because refined CO will stain clothes while unrefined does not.
Good to know! Thank you!
Thanks a lot Coconut Mama . I go for that spoonful of coconut milk!
Best regards,
Christian
I would be grateful if you could get that answer! As coconut milk is 85% fat , I assumed it would be useful for oil pulling. I look forward to the results of your inquiry.
Thanks again!
I will grateful if you could get that answer! As coconut milk is 85% fat , I assumed it would useful for oil pulling. I look forward to the results of your inquiry.
Thanks again!
From Health By Coconut Facebook Page – “Any fat will do nicely, however there are benefits in coconut fat that aren’t in any other fats. Coconut milk, coconut cream is very fatty and a great alternative when oil can’t be found. = )”.
Looks like you can use any high quality oil, like olive oil or sesame oil, but coconut fat is best.
Can I use coconut milk for oil pulling detoxification? Here in Argentina, Buenos Aires, coconut oil is hard to find in the market so I make my own coconut milk fron coconut fruit or shredded coconut. Coconut oil is too much work to make at home from coconuts¡
Hi Christian. I’m not sure if coconut milk works like coconut oil does. I will ask around and see if I can find more information for you.
Won’t the coconut oil that goes down the drain cause a clog when it hardens?
We haven’t had any trouble with it.
I wouldn’t put any oil or fat straight-way down the drain as it will clog at some point.
“Love is only a dirty trick played on us to achieve continuation of the species.” ~ W. Somerset Maugham
Everything is quite open and quite clear explanation of problems. was truly data. Your web site is quite useful. Many thanks for sharing.
I've been oil pulling for a year and a half and I really believe in it. When I don't do it, my gums start bleeding after a while.
I’d love you to take part of my Monday blog hop at Ruth’s Real Food.
Cheers!
I asked Bruce Fife's wife your question on Facebook and this is what she said, “Oil pulling while breast feeding is NO PROBLEM. It doesn't go into your milk. It's so subtle that most people don't notice any detox symptoms. Bruce and I never have. = )”
Some great tips, I was wondering if the oil pulling is ok to do while breast feeding? I looked all over that site but couldn't see any further information. Thanks.
@ Linda – Yes, Epsom salts would work great too! Thanks for stopping by =)
@ Empty Nester – Thank You for stopping by! Your comments mean so much to me =)
Great ideas!! For the bath salts do you think the coconut oil could be mixed with Epsom salts for an added benefit? Thanks for sharing!
Every day I visit here you provide wonderful information. I just can't tell you how much I appreciate your efforts!
Great article. I have tried oil pulling once, and am going to continue with it again for this entire week and see what happens. Didn't know we could use coconut oil for our teeth!
Thanks for linking your great post to FAT TUESDAY. Great information! Hope to see you next week!
http://realfoodforager.com/2011/09/fat-tuesday-september-20-2011/