It seems that desiccated coconut is all the hype in today’s modern world of health and wellness. What seems like unassuming coconut shavings wrapped in plastic bags in the supermarket actually holds a lot of power in giving us our daily nutritional needs, and perhaps more. Yes, in the “desiccation” of coconuts, we might be able to have it all.
Read on as we learn more about desiccated coconut and understand why we should all start including it in our health and fitness routines today.
Defining and Understanding Desiccated Coconut
Although the phrase “desiccated” is often linked with shredding, it actually refers to the process of “drying out and removing all moisture.” Thus, desiccated coconut is dried and grated coconut meat.
Desiccated coconut is created by thinly slicing mature white coconut flesh and drying it in hot air at 100°C. It is flavorful and dry to the touch. While the finely grated dehydrated coconut is the most common form, it is also available in shredded, flakes, granulated, and chipped forms.
The majority of desiccated coconut is unsweetened and unflavored, without any addition of preservatives for shelf life.
However, it may include defatted products which will reduce its natural flavor profile; thus, check the label carefully.
Desiccated coconut is commonly used to ‘top’ sweets, cereals, and baked items in the United Kingdom and Europe.
However, more people are incorporating desiccated coconut into their diets to reap the myriad health benefits described below.
Desiccated Coconut: A High-Nutritional-Value Food
Of course, desiccated coconut is helpful to health when accompanied by a nutritious diet and an active lifestyle. It not only improves the flavor of foods and beverages but also contains important vitamins and minerals.
Although coconut is high in fat, it is also high in nutrients. It is recognized as a fruit as well as a nut.
While you shouldn’t eat a whole coconut every day, adding desiccated coconut as a texture or topping to nutritionally balanced meals or beverages makes sense.
Instead of artificial sweeteners or unhealthy munchies, try a sprinkle of desiccated coconut. This way, you can enjoy something delicious without consuming extra calories and sugar.
In rough proportions, a 100g serving of desiccated coconut is only 605 calories, has 5.6g of protein, 6.1g of carbohydrates, 62g of fats, 6.1g of natural sugars, 21.1g of fibre, and so much more.
These are essential for the human body. You may easily meet your daily mineral requirements with a well-balanced meal without having to seek out additional sources.
Conclusion
If there’s a fruit you’d want to live on, let it be the coconut. With its abundance and high nutritional value, you can never go wrong with a serving of desiccated coconut a day (or whenever it’s available to you). Simply make sure you get it organic and sustainable-sourced. It’s also especially helpful for your health and fitness needs, so don’t hesitate to include this in your new diet!
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