When it comes to dairy products and a particular diet, opinions are divided. While some say they need to be excluded entirely, others think they are still useful because of the calcium contained.
The paleo diet has its own guidelines when it comes to dairy products, so yogurt lovers, for example, may wonder – can you eat coconut yogurt on paleo?
Keep reading, and we will reveal whether you can still enjoy some coconut yogurt for breakfast while following a paleo diet and some other nutritional facts about this popular dairy product.
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Should I Or Shouldn’t I?
Among other things, the paleo diet prescribes that those who chose to follow this particular type of nourishment should eliminate all dairy products from their diet.
Although plain yogurt should not be consumed, you are lucky because coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative.
This means that you can freely consume it on your paleo diet.
Coconut Yogurt 101
Coconut yogurt’s main ingredient is of course coconut milk, which contains good fats and has been shown to reduce bad cholesterol.
This is a dairy-free alternative, and it can be included in many diets.
As far as the paleo diet is concerned, people who consume this type of yogurt are very much satisfied both with the taste and the health benefits it carries.
First, let’s look at what one coconut yogurt contains:
| 157 calories |
| 8.6 g of fat |
| 51 mg of sodium |
| 19.6 carbohydrates |
| 0 g of fiber |
| 18.1 g of sugar |
| 0.8 g of protein |
As you can see, some of the essential nutrients that could concern you here are carbohydrates and fats. Coconut yogurt has only 20 g of carbs inside it, which is excellent because a high level of this is bad for the organism. It is also important to mention that it is low in fat, which is crucial for preventing bad cholesterol.
Coconut yogurt carries many health benefits, so it would be good to mention a few of the important ones.
For example, it is good for strengthening your bones. Although dairy products are mainly deserving of this, coconut yogurt is still a good source of your needed calcium.
Coconut is a source of vitamin A, and this vitamin is good for your vision. The fat contained in this product is an excellent way for you to absorb this vitamin.
According to some studies, coconut yogurt is good for fighting dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This yogurt is rich in MCT oils and ketone, but further research has to be made.
One thing that is certain about this dairy-free alternative is that it is good for the heart and has been shown to protect you from bad cholesterol. This is especially important for elderly consumers. Coconut yogurt is a source of vitamin E, which is good for the overall health of the heart.
However, it would be best if you were careful because coconut yogurt is not for everyone.
Some may be allergic to this product. This can go from mild consequences like a rash to something serious like anaphylaxis.
Make Your Coconut Yogurt
If you want this to be 100% homemade and healthy, you can make this healthy dairy-free alternative on your own in just a few steps.
Prepare yourself by gathering the following tools and ingredients:
- A blender
- A glass/jar
- Two cans of organic coconut cream
- Two dairy-free probiotic pills
- Honey
Now, the instructions:
- Open the coconut cream and separate the milk from the cream.
- Add the cream with a probiotic pill to the blender and blend it for 3 minutes.
- If the substance is thick, add a little water and continue blending.
- Transfer the yogurt to a glass or jar and ferment it.
- Once fermented, cool and stir the yogurt in the fridge for at least 2 hours.
For a quick tutorial, click on the link below.
Useful Tips
If you have opted for making your own coconut yogurt, here are a few tips that could certainly come in handy while preparing this nourishment:
- Pay attention to the quality of coconut milk. Opt for the one with the highest percentage of coconut and prefer the organic type.
- Make sure that the probiotics you are using are vegan and of high quality, because most of the final results will depend on this ingredient.
- Use a wooden spoon to stir the yogurt.
- Make sure that the glass or jar you are using is 100% clean and sterile. You can do this by soaking them in boiling water and letting them dry completely on their own.
- Check the yogurt during the process – if it has a weird smell or looks, get rid of it.
The Truth Behind Dairy
The consumption of dairy in any form has raised many questions and provoked conflict of opinion.
One common opinion that you may come across is that dairy is not meant to be consumed by people and that the only milk we should consume is the one from our mother when we are young.
On the other hand, some cultures have consumed dairy products for thousands of years and can’t imagine a day without them.
The fact that you may not know is that the most common carbohydrate in dairy is lactose which consists of glucose and galactose.
The truth is that 75% of the world’s population is lactose intolerant. This is very common in America, Africa, and Asia.
Dairy is also known to stimulate the release of insulin and protect you against type 2 diabetes.
Although dairy may be dangerous for certain people, some studies have shown that dairy reduces the chances of collateral cancer.
Before fully engaging or excluding dairy products, the best advice would be to visit your doctor and he will tell you the best solution.
Dairy-free Alternatives
Since the paleo diet prohibits dairy products, you can still enjoy some healthy dairy-free alternatives.
- Soy yogurt – this is a common choice among vegans. Although you can find it in almost any store, a lot of consumers choose a homemade version. Soy milk does a great job of substituting regular yogurt.
- Almond yogurt – almonds have been mentioned numerous times in a paleo diet because they are an incredibly healthy and better way to consume them than through almond yogurt.
- Kefir – this is a very healthy dairy-free drink made from kefir grains, and it is very beneficial because of the vitamins and antioxidants contained in it.
- Chia pudding – this is an excellent source of omega3 acids that represent a healthy dairy-free option. It is a perfect choice for vegans and those who prefer gluten-free products.
Can You Eat Coconut Yogurt On Paleo – Conclusion
Although the paleo diet avoids dairy products, and plain yogurt should not be consumed, you are lucky because coconut oil is a dairy-free alternative. People who consume this type of yogurt are very much satisfied both with the taste and the health benefits it carries.
Some of the most essential nutrients that are a part of coconut yogurt are carbohydrates and fats. Coconut yogurt has only 20 g of carbs inside it, which is great because a high level of this is bad for the organism. It is also important to mention that it is low in fat, which is crucial for preventing bad cholesterol.
As far as health benefits are concerned, coconut yogurt is good for strengthening your bones. It is also a source of vitamin A, and this vitamin is good for your vision. The fat content in this product is a great way for you to absorb this vitamin. This dairy-free alternative is good for the heart and has been shown to protect you from bad cholesterol. Coconut yogurt is a source of vitamin E, which is good for the health of the heart.
However, you should be careful if you are allergic to some of the ingredients contained in this product.
You can buy this product, but you can also make it on your own. All you need is coconut cream, some probiotics, a jar, and a blender. This healthy nourishment will be done in less than 30 minutes, and all you have to do is let it cool off in the refrigerator.
While preparing this, pay attention to the quality of the probiotics and the milk. Be aware that your jar or glass should be 100% clean.
There are different opinions when it comes to dairy products. While some say that dairy is not meant to be consumed by humans, others can’t imagine a day going by without one dairy product.
The truth behind dairy is that 75% percent of the world’s population is lactose intolerant.
Some of the most common dairy-free alternatives are almond yogurt, kefir, rice yogurt, and soy yogurt.