Wouldn't you just love to have a touch of the tropics in your diet? One such treat would be a tropical fruit known as coconut.  Actually, it's more of a fruit-bearing palm from which can be extracted a combination of white flesh, natural juice, and edible oil.

Before you crack up at the idea of seeing yourself husking coconut fruits and extracting their contents in some distant island, you don't have to go that far.  For one, coconut water's widely available in the market today.  In fact, it's now touted as one of nature's healthiest and most popular sports drinks!

As a sports drink, 11 ounces of pure coconut water provides approximately 60 calories.  It contains 15 grams carbs, 1 gram protein, and no fat.  Rich in water and potassium, it also helps replenish the electrolytes lost during the process of sweating.  Thus, you could sip one serving after exercise or blend it into a smoothie when you get home.

From the white, fleshy "meat" of coconuts, you could also extract pure coconut milk.  Low in carbs, proteins, and fats, this milk is now manufactured into yogurt and ice cream.  Rich and creamy but less sweet than dairy milk, have half-a-cup of this tropical treat.  If you're to stick to your diet, even low-fat coco milk ice cream should be eaten in smaller portions. 

Lastly, in its purest form, natural coconut oil contains medium-chain triglycerides or MCTs.  Although they're saturated fats, they belong to the category of healthier oils.  Metabolized by your body in a better way, they increase your good cholesterol (HDL) when consumed in moderation.

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