The Coconut Diet is a weight management plan centered around having coconut oil every day. According to the diet's creator Cherie Calbom, people who eat coconut oil regularly are less likely to gain weight because coconut oil is metabolized differently than other forms of fat. The diet consists of four detailed phases and Calbom says you will lose a minimum of 10 lbs. in the first 21 days if you follow the instructions closely. Despite Calbom's claims, medical professionals warn the Coconut Diet is not based on scientific evidence and the program is not a good choice for people seeking healthy, sustainable weight loss.
Background
In her 2005 book "The Coconut Diet: The Secret Ingredient That Helps You Lose Weight While You Eat Your Favorite Foods," Calbom explains that she based the Coconut Diet on two main concepts: Cultures where people regularly consume coconut oil have fewer weight and health problems than cultures who traditionally do not; and that coconut oil is digested and used differently in the body than any other form of fat. Coconut oil, explains Calbom, does not contribute to fat stores but is used as a source of energy as soon as you consume it. In addition, Calbom says coconut oil can increase the rate of your overall metabolism, promote thyroid health and prevent infections and digestive system problems.
Guidelines
The Coconut Diet is broken into four phases: A 21-day weight loss kickoff, cleansing, reintroducing carbohydrates and maintenance. During phase 1, the 21-day kickoff, you are instructed to avoid fruit, alcohol, dairy products, caffeine, all forms of sugar and any type of grain-based product. You'll eat three meals and one to two snacks daily that consist primarily of vegetables, nuts and lean protein like fish, chicken, beef and eggs. The Coconut Diet's second phase lasts four weeks and instructs you to add to this basic vegetable and protein diet a series of liquid concoctions that Calbom says are designed to cleanse and purify your organs. During phase 3, you can slowly add some starchy vegetables, fruits and whole grains back into your daily meals. Phase 4, the maintenance phase, begins when you reach your target weight. You're allowed to eat a few more foods, but the restrictions on sugar, certain fruits and alcohol remain in place. Throughout all the phases of the diet, you're advised to do both aerobic exercise and weight training.
Sample Menu
While you're on the Coconut Diet, a typical breakfast might consist of vegetables lightly cooked in coconut oil paired with bacon and eggs, with lunch being a salad of spinach leaves, avocado and pine nuts. For dinner, you might eat brown rice, grilled fish and a green salad topped with a ranch dressing prepared with coconut oil. The Coconut Diet allows you several snacks daily, with each one placed several hours after a main meal. These might consist of a small serving of nuts, like almonds or macadamias, or goat cheese paired with a raw vegetable like celery.
Expert Insight
According to MayoClinic.com, there is no reputable scientific evidence supporting the claim that eating coconut oil regularly or following the Coconut Diet rules are more effective at helping you lose weight than any other weight loss plan. Additionally, critics point out that following the Coconut Diet may require such extreme changes in eating habits that many would-be dieters will give up long before the end of the diet's initial phase. The diet does not allow for substitutions, is not simple to follow unless you seldom travel or eat out and may be expensive for people who do not have ready access to pure coconut oil. Health professionals continue to recommend that the best way to lose weight and keep it off is to follow a low-fat, low-calorie diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean protein and to exercise regularly.
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