Believe The Hype: Vita Coco Coconut Water

*I don’t get paid for my opinions in any way; this is just me sharing stuff that I like and I think you will too.

I don’t like coconuts. Candy, cake, ice cream, Pina Coladas–nothing. Blech. So, it was with a screwed up face when I tried coconut water. And I didn’t like it. But I had heard of all the health benefits, so I tried it again, this time a different brand, Vita Coco. Well, knock me on the head with a coconut, I liked it!

Now that I reconciled the taste (which doesn’t taste at all like coconuts…more like “something green in nature”), I took a closer look at the health benefits on the box and website:

It has more potassium than two bananas.
It helps to detoxify your body and boost your immune system.
It is loaded with five essential electrolytes: magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium and phosphorous.
It is more hydrating than sports drinks (which are disgusting anyway; the website doesn’t say that, but I do).

So far I’ve had Pure, Açai & Pomegranate and Pineapple. I like the flavored coconut waters better than Pure. I can only find those flavors at my local Whole Foods, but there are more flavors for sale on the website: Passionfruit, Peach & Mango and Tangerine. You can only buy in packs of 12 on the website, but it is less expensive per box than in the store. Pure is the only one that comes in the larger 34 ounce size, all the other flavors are available in 17 or 11.2 ounce boxes.

And it’s not just hype or an expensive water. As my son says, you can feel your insides getting lubricated when you drink it, so much more so than when drinking plain water. Of course it does have calories (60 calories/8 oz) and water doesn’t, so I wouldn’t drink it all day long, but I love drinking it after I exercise. It’s a great recovery drink.

I really became a believer today in yoga class. I had a bowl of oatmeal for breakfast about 7:30 a.m., but my class wasn’t until 9:30 a.m. and I was worried about my blood sugar crashing; normally I try to exercise within 30 minutes of eating, when I have the most fuel. On the way out the door, I threw a box of coconut water in my bag.

Sure enough, about 10 minutes into the class I was hungry, light-headed and starting to shake. I was cursing myself for not bringing a cereal bar, because I know how quickly I can melt down. I was very doubtful that the coconut water would help, but since that was the only thing I had with me, I put it next to my yoga mat. I was fully prepared to leave class while I could still drive home.

While we were still doing seated yoga poses, I drank half of the 11.2 ounce box. And to my utter surprise I immediately felt better. My blood sugar rose and my insides calmed down. I felt a million times better, but I didn’t think it would last. I was wrong. I was energetic, strong and calm throughout the entire class. I didn’t even drink the rest until I got home.

My insides like it and my taste buds too. My whole body is in agreement about coconut water. I have never found anything to give me an immediate energy boost like that except for a Snickers candy bar and wouldn’t you say that coconut water is a healthier choice?

10 Comments so far

What is this coconut water of which you speak? And why have I not heard of it before?

After that testimonial you can bet I’ll be checking Whole Foods for it when I go this weekend.

This is one of my favorite parts of the bloggdom; I love learning about new {great} things from the peeps I trust.

PS. What’s up with your freaky energy/exercise thing? That’s crazy.
Darcie – Such The Spot´s last [type] ..Unchartered Frontiers – Appliance Edition

Let me know what you think of the coconut water. It saved me.

When I was in Haiti, people talked about the wonders of coconut water. There you could just reach up and snatch one off a tree… here, not so much. I’ll have to check this out for recovering after a run. I’ll normally drink anywhere from 500-1000mL of water but I bet it won’t be anywhere near that with coconut water. Thanks!
StuMcDnld´s last [type] ..Why She Cares About Her Appearance- What Women Want- Part Two

I’m always looking for new/alternative foods. And since it’s water you don’t have to worry about the high amount of cholesterol that coconut milk has.

I saw one of the chef’s from The Cooking Channel,(I believe it was Luke Nguyen) cooking with coconut juice/water. Are they the same thing? Does this water have sugar in it?

BTW, why do you say it saved you?
Corliss´s last [type] ..Cottage Pie

Hmm..Corliss, I’m not sure if coconut water and coconut juice are the same thing. Coconut water is nothing but that…the ingredients say “natural coconut water” and that’s it. It has 11g of sugar per serving, but that is not added sugar. There is no added sugar. And the cholesterol is 0.

Oh, and I say that it saved me because I literally about to pass out during yoga class, but the coconut water revived me.

Stu, I think that it would be perfect after a run and no, you wouldn’t need to drink that much at all.

Ooh, I’ve heard great things about coconut water! Can’t wait to try it!

Oh, and hit me over the head with a coconut. Classic.

Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
Wifey´s last [type] ..Motherhood Madness

Yes, Wifey, as a runner I would curious to know what you think about coconut water.

I found vita coco at krogers! Iam not too crazy about the taste but it has its benefits!:-)

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