Can You Eat Coconut On Carnivore Diet?

Are you on a carnivore diet but don’t know if it is okay to eat nuts like coconut? Coconut is quite sweet, and some cook with coconut oil.  So, in this article, we will provide an answer to this question: Can you eat coconut on carnivore diet and discuss more on the benefits and possible dangers to the body?

Coconuts have healthy fats, fiber, and vitamins. Although, carnivore diets focus on animal products, some people desire to include some plant-based foods in their meals. However, if you include coconut, then, you must know how to use coconut on a carnivore diet.

In the next paragraphs, we will discuss the nutritional value of coconut, alternatives you can use instead of coconut, how to use coconut oil on a carnivore diet, and the risk of eating coconut on a carnivore diet.

What Is A Carnivore Diet?

A carnivore diet is a diet that focuses on animal-based products such as meat, fish, and poultry. Enthusiasts of the carnivore diet believe that it can help with weight loss, sharpness of the brain, and have higher energy levels. They claim that excluding foods that come from plants can prevent inflammation and upsets in their stomachs.

On the contrary, critics of the carnivore diet suggest that it has no fiber, vitamins, or minerals. They also worry about the long-term effects on the heart because of the high fats.

Foods You Can Eat On Carnivore Diet

The carnivore diet is also known as the zero-carb diet. It is a very limiting diet that requires that you eat only animal products. Here is a list of foods you can eat on a carnivore diet:

• Animal products: These are products from animals, such as beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and turkey.
• Fish: Any type of fish is okay on this diet. Examples are: Salmon, tuna, and sardines.
• Seafood: Shrimps, crabs, and any other seafood, like lobsters.
• Eggs: Some may not take eggs; however, they are a source of protein, so, you can eat it.
• Diary: You can take dairy products like butter and heavy cream.
• Bone broth: Meaty bones, such as chicken wings, beef necks, or pork ribs, are part of the carnivore diet plan due to their high nutrient content.

Can You Eat Coconut On Carnivore Diet?

The carnivore diet does not allow that. Why? This is because the carnivore diet is about eating only animal products. Coconut is a fruit, and this is not part of the carnivore diet plan. Although coconuts contain a certain amount of healthy fats and nutrients, they are not approved as a carnivore diet food.

Coconuts contain fiber, carbohydrates, and natural sugar. The point is, if you use the oil or coconut itself in your meal, you are no longer a “carnivore”.

In addition, coconuts can disrupt the digestive process and cause discomfort.  In case you are wondering whether you can include coconut oil, coconut milk, or coconut flour—no, you cannot.

You need to understand that the carnivore diet relies on animal-based foods only. This means that you should concentrate on meats, fish, eggs, and other animal products that are nutritious.

Nutritional content of coconut

• Calories: 100 grams of fresh nut coconut meat contains about 354 calories.
• Macronutrients:
• Carbohydrates: 9g
• Fat: 33g
• Protein: 3g
• Coconuts also contain healthy fats, such as the medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs).
• Coconuts have minerals like potassium, magnesium, and iron.
• Coconut water is a great source of hydration, it contains electrolytes.
• Coconut milk is non-dairy and is a good source of vitamins C, E, and B complex antioxidants that help improve the immune system.
• Coconut flour, on the other hand, is a gluten-free product. It has high fiber and protein content.

Why you don’t need coconut on a carnivore diet

1. Contains high visceral fat

Coconut is high in saturated fats, and people who have cardiovascular disease or high level of cholesterol should avoid it.

2. May have heart issues

People on a carnivore diet get enough saturated fat from the animal product, so taking coconut on top could be risky for their heart in the long run.

3. High-calorie content

Another problem with consuming coconut on a carnivore diet is the higher calorie amounts in this product. Despite the vast nutritional benefits of coconut, it is rich in calories, which are not good for your health, especially, if you take many of these calories.

4. A carnivore diet with MCT oil is bad

Coconut contains medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), these oils are not easy to digest. While most people enjoy coconut and its products, there are some side effects, especially if one is taking too much of it; such include bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Substitutes for coconut on the carnivore diet

People looking for some change can always consider other options available out there. They include the following:

• One great example is avocado. This fruit has monounsaturated fats and has a creamy texture similar to coconut.
• Another delicious alternative suitable for consumption is grass-fed butter because it has a rich flavor and vital elements, such as vitamin K2.
• Ghee, clarified as butter, is also a good alternative for coconut on a carnivore diet. It has a kind of nutty taste with a low-lactic content.
• Macadamia nuts are for people who prefer to have some crunch in their meals. Macadamia is an excellent nut that is rich in fat and very low in carbohydrate content.
• Bacon or bacon grease is also good for cooking or for adding smoky flavor to dishes.
• Tallow is the rendered beef or lamb fat and is a popular deep-frying fat due to the high quantity of nutrients and the relatively high smoke.
• Duck fat is also a perfect substitute you may need to consider instead of coconut oil.
• Bone marrow is a nutrient-dense option that you can add to soups or spread on meat.

Foods to avoid on the carnivore diet

Below is a list of foods not to eat while on a carnivore diet:

• Sugar and sugary foods: These are notorious for swinging your blood sugar levels and may set you back on the carnivore diet.
• Grains and processed carbohydrates: These promote inflammation within our systems and should largely be avoided when on a carnivore diet. Stick to meat and animal products for optimal health.
• Dairy products: Some people on a carnivore diet end up experiencing some digestion problems whenever they take dairy products, so it is better to avoid dairy products for now.
• Highly processed foods: These usually contain unhealthy additives and preservatives that may disrupt your body’s essential functions while on a carnivore diet. If you want to see the best results, eat as many whole-natural foods as possible.
• Vegetable oils: Most of these oils contain omega-6 fatty acids that are pro-inflammatory to the body. Replace them with animal fats such as butter or lard instead.
• Artificial sweeteners: These can mess up your taste buds, so do not allow you to follow the carnivore diet plan. Avoid all these artificial sweeteners and concentrate on whole excellent foods.
• Alcohol: Some people who adhere to the carnivore diet consume alcohol sometimes; however, this will hinder the body’s ability to burn fat and will make the body stay in ketosis. If you must drink alcohol, drink responsibly.

Read also: 10 Best Superfoods You Should Add To Your Diet Today

How to Use Coconut Oil on a Carnivore Diet

1. To use coconut oil on a carnivore diet, add it to your meals by cooking with it or use it as a topping.
2. You can also add coconut oil to your coffee or tea in order to take your fat source along with a delicious flavor. This can be useful when you are trying to maintain a high-fat, low-carb diet.
3. Frizzy hair, dry skin, and wrinkles on the face and hands can also be treated by applying coconut oil. This is because the natural antibacterial properties can help keep your skin healthy.
4. Those on a carnivore diet believe that it helps with digestion or can also act as an anti-inflammatory agent to alleviate a stomach ache. You just have to be careful about how much you take since taking high doses of MCTs can hurt your stomach.
5. When choosing a coconut oil, the best options are cold-pressed, unrefined, and organic ones. These are the best and most nutrient-dense food products available.

Coconut is healthy and you can use the oil to cook, however, you cannot eat coconut on carnivore diet. The idea is to exclude anything plant-based.

So, to see the benefits of the carnivore diets quickly, do not include coconuts in your diet; eat only animal products. Hold on to that vision and witness the changes you desire. You may be tempted to add some coconut milk or coconut oil on your journey to the carnivore diet, but do not do that! #StayCarnivore!