I love immersing myself in local traditions, foods, and lifestyle when traveling abroad.
I recently traveled to a destination ripe with fresh coconuts. It was my first time enjoying fresh coconut water out of local coconuts, and let me tell you, I looked forward to it each morning.
Upon the first few sips I felt immensely more hydrated and overall refreshed. My thirst was quenched. The craving for it was real!
What are the benefits of fresh coconut water?
-Fat free
-Low in calories
-Electrolyte-rich (potassium, sodium, and magnesium)*
“Coconut water is 94% water and is fat-free and cholesterol-free. For recreational drinking, you want to get one that is unsweetened and one that doesn’t have added sodium,” per Dietician Maxine Smith, RD, of Cleveland Clinic.
What to look out for if buying coconut water in stores?
Avoid ones that have added sugars and preservatives. As with anything, always lean towards purchasing food and drink with just the main sourced ingredient.
Is coconut water healthy?
Coconut water is a great beverage option when coupled with a healthy diet and consistent exercise routine.
Nutrition-fact wise**, per 1 cup serving, coconut water has:
46 calories
9 grams of carbs
2 grams of protein
6 grams of sugar
0.5 grams of fat
What are the best ways to consume coconut water?
#1: By itself, straight out of the coconut
#2: To make healthy frozen popsicles
#3: Use it as an ingredient in a tasty mocktail
#4: As a base in smoothies (my rec: add some leafy greens, a few blackberries / strawberries, a healthy fat)
*Cleveland Clinic
**Healthline
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