I used to hate coconut. Granted, my tastes were quite limited then. But coconut? It got a special place on the never-ever-ever list. 6-or-so years and a big change of heart later, here I am to sing its praises!

I love unsweetened coconut flakes in yogurt, I love coconut oil in stir fry, and a big glug of lite coconut milk in my morning coffee makes me one happy girl. Along with adding incredible flavor, it packs a similarly nutrient-dense punch. It’s rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Coconut oil has healing properties well beyond any other dietary oil and is used medicinally in Asian and Pacific cultures. For a full list of all the diseases it’s used for treatment of, look here (you’ll be amazed).

But those aren’t even my favorite coconut products. Nope, sure aren’t.

This is.

Coconut Water! Growing up I was quite sure that a coconut was filled to the brim with milk…unfortunately for my ego but fortunately for my taste buds, I was quite wrong. In reality, a young coconut is full of this…

And why drink it, you ask? With 15 times the electrolytes of sports drinks and more potassium than 2 bananas, it’s just about the quickest way to hydrate. It’s other perks aren’t too shabby either; it’s low in calories (45 kcals / 8.5 fl. oz), it has no fat, no cholesterol, and it’s 100% natural.

I started drinking it last summer when I lived in Vietnam. There, it’s commonplace to order a coconut with a straw sticking out of it at restaurants or grab one from a corner street vendor. And if you know anything about the climate there, it obvious as to why. It’s humid. It’s tropical. It has a daily summer heat index over 100 degrees and a humidity percentage not far behind.You wake up and fall asleep sweating (attractive, I know).

Water just wasn’t cutting it. I was getting migraines. I was crabby and endlessly exhausted. Then the woman who kindly served our breakfast every morning started bringing me a coconut and finally, finally I was feeling better. Back stateside, I wasn’t exactly ready to start carrying coconuts to the gym, but I quickly found these. They work just as well and as someone who knows what sticking a straw is a coconut actually tastes like, I assure you VitaCoco isn’t lying.

As with all health products, some doubt whether it works as well as the label claims. But with absolutely zero drawbacks to it, I say go with what works! When I come home from a run I practically face-plant into my Brita. There is no satiating me, I gulp and gulp and gulp and…you get the idea. Not with this. I pop one open, take a sip, and ahhhh, my whole body relaxes into the refreshment.

They are also just about the only relief in a hot yoga class, the perfect accompaniment for an afternoon poolside, and something I crawl to the fridge for on Sunday mornings after rough Saturday nights.

One last bonus? VitaCoco has tons of flavors (peach & mango, pineapple, acai & pom, tropical fruit) guaranteeing you’ll find one you like!

Go stock up! I have And then be sure to drop me a line and tell me what you think!