Coconut Water

If you've ever vacationed in the tropics, you've probably seen people carrying around what looks like a peeled coconut with a straw inserted, drinking the liquid. Now I'm seeing more and more grocery stores carry skinned coconuts in the fruit and vegetable section. You chop off the top, insert a straw, and drink up. In fact coconut water is becoming so popular there are now a whole bunch of canned coconut water drinks on the market.

So what's the deal with coconut water?

Well, I can't speak to the dozens of prepackaged products that are showing up (usually sold in cans) but I can speak to what's found inside the actual coconut. And it's a nutritional bonanza that could easily be a boon to people trying to control their weight.

I cup of coconut water contains a measly 46 calories. (Remember, I'm talking about the liquid that occurs naturally inside the coconut, not some "coconut milk" sweetened product that is a whole different animal.) Not only that, it contains a surprisingly high 3 grams of dietary fiber and 2 grams of protein. Best of all, it's a fabulous source of potassium- way better than a banana.

Lots of nutrients for a very small number of calories- That profile definitely makes coconut water a great drink as part of a weight management program.