Coconut oil, like any oil, is dense with calories. “So a steady diet of coconut oil will very likely lead to steady weight gain,” warns Kimberly Gomer, MS, RD, Director of Nutrition at the Pritikin Longevity Center, a health and weight-loss resort in Miami that has been teaching healthy-living skills since 1975.

Can coconut oil make you gain weight?

So, if you like coconut milk or coconut oil you can certainly enjoy it as part of your diet, but moderation is definitely key, since it packs a serious fat and calorie punch — which, unchecked, can lead to serious weight gain.

Is coconut oil a good fat?

Coconut oil is 92% saturated fat and therefore raises cholesterol levels similar to animal fats (butter, lard). However, it contains a unique type of medium chain saturated fat called lauric acid that research shows raises HDL or “good” cholesterol levels, which may lower overall heart disease risk.