The Importance of Coconut Oil during Pregnancy
Coconut oil is a vital nutrient in any healthy diet but especially while pregnant! I am a firm believer in coconut oil and use it all the time. Now, while I am pregnant, using it even more and coming up with simple and creative ways to add it to my every day meals. Coconut oil provides pregnant moms with a combination of vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins that are so good for both mommy and baby. Coconut oil supplies rich amounts of saturated fats, so much coming from lauric acid. Lauric acid is also found in breast milk and has been found to have antiviral and antibacterial properties that support overall immunity! This is crucial to helping protect both mommy and baby during healthy and also post pregnancy during breast feeding, since nutrients are then passed directly to the baby through breast milk. This is key to helping keep the baby healthy and immunity up.
Not only do I incorporate coconut oil into my cooking but I use it on my body to help prevent stretch marks and alleviate itching to to the skin stretching! I have had success with no stretch marks during my first pregnancy and am hopefully it will keep me stretch mark free this one as well.
6 of my favorite ways to incorporate coconut oil:
1. Baking. Not only is a great way to get in this amazing superfood but adds delicious flavor to baked goods.
*Check out my Super Simple Almond Coconut Cookies!!
2. Cooking. I use coconut oil instead of olive oil for cooking. Coconut oil has a high smoke point meaning it can sustain high temperatures without turning rancid. It is an excellent option for high temperature cooking! Any lean protein or veggies tastes delicious made in coconut oil but my favorite is sautéed shrimp! It adds a tropical flavor and makes for a great stir-fry.
3. As body lotion. Use only coconut oil to hydrate and moisturize my skin. It helps with stretch marks and alleviate itching as my belly grows.
4. Hair Moisturizer. I use just a touch of coconut oil in my hair to keep it moisturized, shiny and not to mention smelling delicious!
5. Eye Make Up Remover. Even though I don’t wear make up often, when I do, it is a great natural way to remove mascara. Just a little drop takes it all off!
6. In smoothies! I love adding a touch to my smoothies for a delicious way to add in all the powerful nutrients!! Whether it is a green smoothie or blended plain protein shake, a touch of coconut oil is an easy way to add flavor and give you long lasting energy to get through a workout or busy day!
SUPER SIMPLE ALMOND COCONUT COOKIES
Ingredients:
2 cups almond meal
1/4 cup coconut oil
3 tbsp sugar free syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp sea salt
1 tsp baking powder
Optional- 1 tbsp almond butter to make an almond coconut butter sandwich*
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Simply mix in large bowl. Place by the spoonful on cookie sheet sprayed with non stick spray such as coconut oil.
Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool.
To make an Almond butter sandwich, place one cookie down, spread 1/2 tbsp over top, place another cookie onto then place remaining almond butter over top and enjoy! This is a delicious treat! It contains more calories to a great higher calorie treat!
Serving Size 12 cookies
Nutritional Information (per cookie)
Calories: 150
Fat: 14 grams
Saturated Fat: 4 grams
Carbohydrates: 4 grams
Fiber: 1 gram
Protein: 4 grams
Sugar: 1 gram
*Almond Butter adds :
Calories: 100
Fat: 9 grams
Saturated Fat 1 gram
Carbohydrates: 3 grams
Protein: 3 grams
Fiber: .5 grams
About Gina
