Can't seem to tolerate coconut meat/coconut milk

[Emma C.]

I've been playing around with different foods lately. I seem to be able to eat coconut oil with no problem. But whenever I eat coconut meat or something with coconut milk in it, I feel bad. How can that be? 

[Emma C.]

For what it's worth, I now know why this is. My doctor told me that there is a protein in the milk and meat of a coconut that isn't in the oil. He said that I must not be able to tolerate that protein. 

[Robin Strathdee]

Glad you figured that out!

[1Maryann]

I never knew that, either.  But I'm glad it doesn't affect me, because I would be lost without coconut milk.

[EatTrainClean]

You are likely sensitive to the fructose content:

In addition, certain people will a coconut intolerance will have issues with fructans, fructose, sulphites, salicylates and amines. These are present in coconut that has been prepared in certain ways. For example, coconut oil does not contain frutose or fructans, but all other forms of coconut do. If you have an issue with fructose, you may be able to consume coconut oil without issue while other types of coconut will cause problems. Coconut milk, coconut cream, coconut oil and dessicated coconut all contain salicylates and amines while dessicated coconut contains sulphites. These particular substances may cause people to experience issues with some coconut products but not with others. 

Source: http://www.hemocode.com/wiki/Coconut-intolerance

 

As far as I'm aware, there is no protein found in the meat or milk, that isn't in the oil, though there very well could be.

 

FYI, this is a great read on the downsides of coconut milk from Chris Kresser: http://chriskresser.com/3-reasons-why-coconut-milk-may-not-be-your-friend

[GLC1968]

There is protein in the meat and milk that is not in the oil since the protein content of coconut oil is zero but it exists in the other products.

 

I have issues with casein AND with coconut meat/milk - so I wonder if they have a similar structure?  Just supposition on my part, of course.  

 

As far as the coconut goes - I've found that coconut milk in small quantities is OK if it is part of a recipe but I cannot just drink it or put it in my coffee.  Same is true of coconut flour - a tiny amount in a coating for fish (for example) is OK but a large quantity in a paleo baked good (ie, not whole30) is BAD.  And I avoid all forms of coconut butter (or manna) like the plague...

[praxisproject]

What about coconut "water"? (juice from a young green coconut)

 

Would it contain the fructose but not the protein? Anyone know?

[Emma C.]

Thanks, everyone, for the input. For now I'm just avoiding everything that have even a minor negative reaction to. My hope is that in a few months I'll have healed enough to be able to try to reintroduce some of the foods (which is a fairly large list) that I'm avoiding. My doctor said that some of the foods I'm avoiding now I may never be able to eat, some I may be able to eat now and then, and that some I'll probably be able to eat often. But for now I'm just going to avoid them...