How to Drink Coconut Oil

Co-authored by Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW

Last Updated: March 11, 2023 References

There are lots of reasons to drink coconut oil, such as the benefits it may provide to aid in weight loss, the promotion of healthy cholesterol in the body, and of course how delicious it is. There are also many ways to ingest coconut oil, ranging from capsules to cooking food with it. Drinking coconut oil is another easy option, and a tasty one at that!

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Preparing the Oil for Cold Drinks

1
Let the oil sit out at room temperature if you have enough time. Coconut oil is partially solid at room temperature, and you will need to soften the oil by bringing to room temperature before mixing it into something to drink. Once at room temperature, the oil can be stirred until it is pliable for mixing. ^{[1]
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2
Heat the oil using a stove or microwave if you're in a rush. If you are going to heat it using a stove, use very low heat. If you are using a microwave, heat the oil 5-10 seconds at a time so as not to burn it or make it too hot to add to your drink. Then, stir with a spoon or fork until smooth and creamy in consistency.

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3
Mix the oil with any cold drink.^{[2]
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Expert Source

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Expert Interview. 23 August 2021.} You can stir the oil into a cold drink simply by adding it (once it is smooth) with a spoon and stirring it into the mixture. If you are blending a frozen drink, like a smoothie, just lightly heat the oil, or stir it until it is smooth. Once smooth or liquid, add the oil very slowly to the blender so that it does not form chunks.^{[3]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Drinking in Hot Liquids and Foods

1
Use the oil at room temperature, straight from the jar, for hot liquids.^{[4]
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Expert Source

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Expert Interview. 23 August 2021.} There is no need to preheat the oil if you are adding it to a hot drink. If you like coffee or tea, you can use the oil straight out of the jar: just stir a spoonful of the semi-solid oil into the drink, and let the hot liquid do the work for you. Keeping a jar of the oil near your coffee or tea pot is a great way to start, since it will melt and mix easily with hot drinks. The oil also pairs well with coffee flavors, and with teas like black tea, chai tea, and other nutty tea flavors. ^{[5]
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2
Add the oil to stocks, soups, and sauces. Coconut oil is used in many soups, and so it can be added to them easily right from the jar, making for another easy way to work it in to your daily consumption! It pairs well with chicken, and is often used in Thai soups, and Indian recipes. It can also be the oil base for a sauce, in place of olive oil or butter.
3
Use coconut oil in place of butter when baking. Coconut oil has a similar consistency to butter, and is a great substitute for butter when baking. Simply substitute the same amount of oil for whatever amount of butter your recipe calls for, no math needed! ^{[6]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Deciding How Much to Use

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Figure out how much you want to consume on a daily basis. 1-2 tablespoons a day is usually recommended, but the amount will vary from person to person.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Expert Interview. 23 August 2021.} Consider whether you are attempting to follow a program that requires a set amount, or if you are simply trying to replace less healthier options. If you are implementing a specific program, find out what you should use according to the plan. ^{[8]
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Trustworthy Source
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School's Educational Site for the Public
Go to source}
- Whether you are aiming for complete substitution for other oils, or just want to consume a regular amount daily, you want to be clear about the amount you want to be taking in. Coconut oil, no matter how healthy, is still an oil. You don't want to take too much and risk adding too much fat or cholesterol to your diet.^{[9]
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2
Start slow and build up to your goal. You want to ease your way into the process. Coconut oil can have some effects on your digestion in the beginning, and so to avoid those complications you want to build up to your daily intake goals.^{[10]
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- Try it a little bit at a time, and see how it feels. Start with one teaspoon once a day for a couple of days, then go up to twice a day, or two spoons in one coffee, etc., until you have reached your daily intake goal. This process should take between 1 and 2 weeks.
3
Maintain your daily intake, and maintain balance in your diet. Once you have achieved your goal, maintain that same daily intake amount moving forward. Remember that the oil is still a source of fat, calories, and cholesterol. Even with its possible health benefits, too much of the oil might raise your cholesterol, or add too many calories to your regime, and so you might need to remove other sources of fat accordingly. ^{[11]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Is it safe to take coconut oil everyday?

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Theresa Fitzpatrick is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the Owner of Mind Your Body Holistic Coaching. She specializes in helping women lose weight and gain confidence. Theresa holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and received her Transformational Coach Certification from The Health Coach Institute.

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW

Certified Holistic Health Coach

Expert Answer

Drinking coconut oil is safe as long as you do it moderation. This type of oil is pretty high in calories, so you shouldn't have too much.
Question

What are the benefits of coconut oil?

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Theresa Fitzpatrick is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the Owner of Mind Your Body Holistic Coaching. She specializes in helping women lose weight and gain confidence. Theresa holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and received her Transformational Coach Certification from The Health Coach Institute.

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW

Certified Holistic Health Coach

Expert Answer

Coconut oil can act as a quick source of energy and encourage your body to burn fat.
Question

Is there a difference between liquid coconut oil and solid?

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW
Certified Holistic Health Coach
Theresa Fitzpatrick is a Certified Holistic Health Coach and the Owner of Mind Your Body Holistic Coaching. She specializes in helping women lose weight and gain confidence. Theresa holds a Master of Social Work from Fordham University and received her Transformational Coach Certification from The Health Coach Institute.

Theresa Fitzpatrick, LMSW

Certified Holistic Health Coach

Expert Answer

Solid coconut oil tends to be purer than liquid and often has a longer shelf life.