Birth
Dynamics Nutrition Article Archive
 |
Amazing
Super Food - The Young Coconut |
The young coconut is an amazing super food
whose existence and benefits are not widely known here in
the United States. Coconuts are the fruit of the coconut
palm. It is botanically known as cocos nucifera which means
"nut bearing". The coconut is actually a very
large seed!
The young coconut is very different from the
mature brown "hairy" looking coconuts. The young
coconut is a white / ivory color and is still in the husk.
It has a conical shape at the top. The meat in the young
coconut is smooth and creamy. The young coconut contains
about 2 cups of sweet water which is full of electrolytes
and makes a great liquid for pregnant mothers to consume
during labor. The meat is an excellent food for pregnant
and nursing mothers. The older coconuts contain hard meat
and less water. Both types of coconut are healthy foods
however the young coconut is especially amazing.
You will have to search at a health food store or an International
market or Asian market for young coconuts. Store young coconuts
in the refrigerator. How to open a young coconut instructions
can be found on the web as well as in the Rejuvenate
with Serene DVD. 
Nutritional Details: "Young coconuts are considered
highly nutritious. One whole coconut has only 140 calories
and provides 17% of the RDA for calcium. The total fat content
is 3 grams, all saturated. With a zero content of cholesterol,
the young coconut has 50 mg sodium, 28 grams of carbohydrate,
2 grams of fiber,15 grams of sugar, and 2 grams of protein."(1)
Interesting facts about the young coconut:
"Indigenous people of tropical countries relied on
natural plants for their medicine. Young coconut juice is
literally a well-supplied medicine chest that comes in its
own container and is used in folk healing for a number of
ailments: relieving fevers, headaches, stomach upsets, diarrhea
and dysentery. The juice is also given to strengthen the
heart and restore energy to the ill. Pregnant women in the
tropics eagerly drink large quantities of young coconut
juice because they believe it will give their babies strength
and vitality" (2)
During World War II, young coconuts were used to save lives
by using the water as a substitute for glucose. "Within
a clean self-contained vessel, the coconut water is free
of impurities and contains about two tablespoons of sugar."
(3)
A professor from Michigan State University, Jon J. Kabara,
Ph.D, writes, "Never before in the history of man is
it so important to emphasize the value of lauric oils. The
medium-chain fats in coconut oil are similar to fats in
mother's milk and have similar nutriceutical effects."
As women, we are made to bear children and nourish our
babies at the breast. Our bodies work a great deal to give
this incredible gift of life and it is necessary for us
to give our bodies the fuel it needs to do the work it is
called to do. A diet fixed on dead, processed foods will
not give our bodies the nourishment it needs. Coconuts are
an excellent way to replenish our bodies with live healthy
nutrition!
 |
Rejuvenate
with Serene DVD produced by Franklin
Springs Family Media
Serene Allison, author of the Rejuvenate Your Life
cook book and daughter of Nancy Campbell from Above
Rubies--presents mothers and families the 1-2-3's
of healthy eating with her own whimsical, entertaining
style. Nutritious recipes, food preparation techniques,
and information about the young coconut with live
"how to open" example. Encouraging mothers
to develop a healthy diet and lifestyle for themselves
and their families. She promotes raw food, but the
DVD is well done and educational and useable by the
non-raw foodist.
DVD released
Fall of 2005
Click
Here to view the Trailer |