Lessons From a Coconut 
14 | Posted on December 8, 2010 ‹ newer older ›
I was driving my minivan packed with soccer kids, drinking a pina colada.....when I woke up.
The truth - I was driving my 1994 Honda Civic, alone, drinking Vita Coco Coconut with Pineapple when I noticed an absence of a certain alcohol that usually gets added to a pina colada.
Which was a good thing!
Yes, I was having a tropical vacation in 30 degree weather in Massachusetts via drinking this lovely stuff. A friend of mine recently said, "What? You haven't tried coconut water?" and I realized I was missing something.
Of course, I have tried coconut water on a trip to Mexico from (guess, what?) a coconut! You just cut a whole in the top of a coconut, put a straw in, and drink.
Coconut water is not to be confused with coconut milk. Coconut milk has to be extracted through food processing and is high in calories. Coconut water is the liquid you hear sloshing about when you shake a coconut.
One cup of coconut WATER contains a mere 45 calories. It's a fabulous source of potassium - way better than a banana. And it has 175% of your daily value of Vitamin C!
It has 11 grams of sugar per serving which is significantly less than other juices. For example, apple juice has 30 grams of sugar for 8 ounces.
Keep in mind that:
- Vita Coco comes in a 16 ounce bottle (not the 8 ounce serving size on the package).
- The other flavors such as Vita Coco with Pineapple have more sugar per serving (16 grams)
What I like about it is that it tastes delicious and reminds me of soda. No, it doesn't have bubbles, but it does have a lovely sweetness. Millions of people in tropical areas drink this stuff when they are thirsty.
There are a couple of other brands out there (and this was the only one that I tried). This is a great substitute for higher calorie juices with less nutrients.
Unfortunately, my kids didn't like it :( - I think it wasn't sweet enough for them. I gotta cut them off the apple cider!
You can find Vita Coco in thousands of stores nationwide see here Find Vita Coco. I hope they start selling it in convenience stores/gas stations so I can grab it while on the go.
Have you tried coconut water? Please share.
Vita Coco 100% Pure Coconut Water, 11.1-Ounce Containers (Pack of 12)
$22.99 $20.57
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14 Comments:
Checkout my blog on coconut water & why it is so good. Also my product review. http://wp.me/p12fGr-5M
gina@concierge4moms on December 8, 2010
I LOOOOOOVE coconut water! It's so healthy for you. And like you mentioned, packed nutrients. What a great way to hydrate. A bit pricey, but worth it.
@MaryAnneWendt on December 8, 2010
I buy this product and Love It !!
Rhonda on December 8, 2010
Drinking a Zico (pomegranate and berry) righ now. It's 1 point for the entire bottle! They sell it at my local convenience store.
Dania M. on December 8, 2010
Yum!!! I will have to try this :)
Margarete M on December 8, 2010
I bought some Monday night at Kroger, but I haven't tried it yet. They had them for $1 a bottle!
Nicole on December 8, 2010
For anyone living in a city that has an Asian or an Hispanic market, these drinks are ubiquitously available and usually much cheaper than the product reviewed above. I typically pay $0.59/tall bottle, and buy the kind without any pulp or added sugars. I am an endurance athlete, and find that nothing hydrates me after a long ride in the heat quite like coconut water!
bikerchick on December 8, 2010
I will have to try this... I've had coconut water from a coconut but I've never bought the water... I will be looking for it now:-) Thanks!
stephv on December 8, 2010
Yes, coconut water is awesome!!! It's refreshing and wholesome. I drink it before and after jujutsu workouts. I also give it to my 18 month old grandson.
Edna on December 9, 2010
It is also great for hangovers or preventing them! (if you have too many REAL pina coladas the night before!)
Jaime on December 9, 2010
I'm always looking for alternatives to soda so I have tried it, but really didn't like it. However, I'll have to try it again.
Amy on December 10, 2010
Thanks for info! It's really a good supply of Vitamin C, Riboflavin and Calcium
Great supply of Dietary Fiber, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese. Also it's full of Electrolytes to assist with hydration therefore a good alternative to other sports drinks
Low in calories (on average 46 calories per 1 cup / 240g).If interested we list some other health benefits and some interesting uses of it. Hope you enjoy!
http://bit.ly/cMGQ0K
bodyhacker on December 11, 2010
Thanks for this. I always wondered if this was any good!
leah on December 13, 2010
I saw these at Costco last time I was there, and remembered this article. I didn't pick it up though (unfortunately). I was afraid that I wouldn't like it, but I should try it some time!
Kathy on February 25, 2011
