USES OF DRIED SHREDDED COCONUT FLAKES
Coconut trees, which are mostly found in the tropics, are the source of some nutritious foods we eat – like electrolyte-rich coconut water and zinc-rich coconut meat. Usually, coconut is processed into other forms to extend its shelf life and create variety. A popular coconut variety is the dried shredded coconut flakes. With a nutritional content of 187 calories per ounce, dried coconut flakes can give you just enough energy to get through the day. These flakes can also be a great addition to your diet, because they help the tissues in the body grow better.
Dishes That Can Be Prepared With Dried Shredded Coconut Flakes
Shredded coconut, which is usually sweet and nutty, can be used to prepare different kinds of dishes and even desserts. They are a great option if you want to improve the flavour or texture of your food. Here are a few ways to spice up your dishes with dried shredded coconut flakes:
- You can improve the nutritional value of hot or cold cereals by adding dried shredded coconut flakes alongside fruits like mango or raspberry.
- Slightly add dried shredded coconut flakes when blending your smoothies, to obtain a tropical flavour. You can also sprinkle a bit into your salads.
- Coconut flakes can also be used to make nut butters. Here’s how to do it: Put macadamia nuts, almonds and dried shredded coconut flakes into a food processor and blend until the mixture reaches the desired consistency. After blending, you can use the mixture (nut butter) as topping for whole-grain toast or oatmeal.
Other dishes that can be prepared with Coconut flakes include oatmeal coco-nutters, date-coconut energy balls, avocado and coconut ice cream, coconut bacon etc.
Nutritional Content Of Dried Shredded Coconut Flakes
- Dietary Fibre
You can increase the fibre content of your meal by adding dried shredded coconut flakes to it. Dietary fibre is important because it adds bulk to our food, so we don’t get hungry in-between meals. Besides that, it also prevents digestive ailments like constipation and haemorrhoids. A recent research conducted by Colorado State University has shown that Americans eat an average of just 14 grams of fibre in a day, an amount far less than the 38 grams recommended daily for men and the 25 grams recommended for women. One ounce of dried shredded coconut contributes 4.6 grams to your daily fibre intake.
- Iron
Dried shredded coconut flakes contain iron, an important mineral that improves blood circulation in the body and also helps in tissue maintenance.
Iron facilitates cell development in the body, and also helps new cells grow into functional tissue. With sufficient amounts of iron in the body, blood oxygen is transported smoothly and muscle tissues are able to store energy which the body can use much later. The Office of Dietary Supplements suggests that one ounce of dried shredded coconut flakes increases your daily iron intake by 0.94 milligrams, providing 12 percent of the recommended daily iron intake for men and 5 percent for women.
NOTE: We highly recommend that before using any herbal medications you should consult your health care provider or medical doctor for professional advice.
Disclaimer: All herbs and spices listed on http://islandherbsandspices.com/ or sold for medical and household use only, again we advice that before using any HERBS for medical purposes, please consult your physician.
