Vegan Nutrition with Dina Aronson, M.S. R.D.

Dina Aronson, MS, RD is a vegan dietitian whose specialties include chronic disease prevention, vegetarian/vegan nutrition, and lifestyle management. She is the founder and director of VeganRD.com, a nutrition consulting company. Active in many vegetarian nutrition organizations, Dina was the recipient of the American Dietetic Association's Recognized Young Dietitian of the Year Award in 2002.

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I have a question about coconut milk and its fat. As a vegan I find coconut milk very useful in meals and desserts. I now have a six-month-old son and I wonder if the saturated fat is healthy or not. What is saturated fat anyway and why/why is it not good for you? Can I give it to my son later (if so, when is a good time to introduce it)? -Sofia

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Dear Sofia,

Good news: you can keep using coconut milk and coconut oil. It is true that coconut is a source of saturated fat; however, the saturated fat found in coconut (and in other plant foods, where saturated fat is found in very small quantities) is different from the saturated fat found in animal foods.

The saturated fats found in meats and whole dairy products are damaging to the body because they cause the liver to produce too much cholesterol. On the other hand, the saturated fats in coconut are unique. They are different in their structure, and studies show that cultures whose main source of fat is from coconut do not suffer from high cholesterol or high rates of heart disease and cancer; in fact, there is no evidence that a high saturated fat intake from coconut has any harmful effects. Coconut oil may even help the body fight germs, and is a very low-allergen fat to use in cooking and baking.

Keep using coconut products – in moderation, of course – balanced with other fats (such as those found in nuts and seeds and their oils, avocados, and olives), carbohydrates (from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables) and proteins (from whole grains, vegetables, beans, nuts, seeds, and soy products).

You can introduce coconut milk and coconut oil to your six-month old now, as long as he is healthy and tolerating other foods well. Remember to always introduce foods one at a time to check for any sort of reaction.

Note: Coconut milk should not be used in place of breast milk or infant formula. For weaned vegan babies, fortified soy milk is the best choice. Coconut milk is too rich for regular beverage consumption, and not a good source of calcium, vitamin D, or vitamin B12, which are found in fortified soy milk.

Disclaimer: The advice given here is for eductional purposes only. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified health care provider.

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