Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

Question

4

Hi there,

when I looked at the fatty acid profile of cocoa butter I was quite surprised.

PUFA 3%
MUFA 32%
SFA 65%

Low in PUFA and lots of saturated fatty acids - actually quite similar to coconut oil (which however comprises more MCTs) But all in all it sounds like a very healthy sort of fat.

Though it doesn't seem to be widely consumed among paleos. So what are the major contra arguments against cocoa butter consumption?

Cocoa butter does not have theobromine in it and some sources say it has no salicylates either. Cocoa is rich in amines but I don't know whether the cocoa butter has them too.

So is it safe to make cocoa butter a "staple"?

flag	asked Jan 11 2012 at 9:34 Thomy 3,124●2●5●18

1

The biggest issue that may come up for some folks is that it has a VERY noticeable flavor. I purchase raw cocoa butter from a couple of sources (Raw Guru, Live Superfoods, etc.) and enjoy it most in things like curries or mole, where the intense chocolate taste isn't going to interfere with the flavor of the food. In terms of the nutritional profile, I'd never really thought of it as a staple, but that's only because my 1st-choice fats are animal fats. Now that you mention it, it might move in line in front of macadamia and avocado oil in my planning. – Firestorm Jan 11 2012 at 17:36

pbo · Answer 1 · 2012-01-11 21:37:16Z UTC

3

Love it!

Easy to over consume, so for me its very similar to nuts, in that it is something I try not to do every day, although I do like the nutritional profile a lot more than most nuts.

Once or twice a week as a treat with some berries, squash, etc.

edited Jan 11 2012 at 21:37

answered Jan 11 2012 at 19:54

pbo
2,765●3●11

raydawg · Answer 2 · 2012-01-11 15:36:09Z UTC

2

Other than the price, no objections to it.

answered Jan 11 2012 at 15:36

raydawg
14.4k●8●32

Yes, I figured the major barrier would be price as well, in comparison to other oils. – MtnEvan Jan 11 2012 at 21:46

The Loon · Answer 3 · 2012-01-11 15:06:53Z UTC

1

I haven't found a source for food-grade cocoa butter and find that chocolate and cocoa powder make me just want to eat more and more. But I think chocolate in some form is widely consumed by paleos.

answered Jan 11 2012 at 15:06

The Loon
8,442●6●26

1

livesuperfoods.com/raw-foods/oils-fats/… These folks have raw, food-grade cocoa butter. Not inexpensive, but very tasty. – Firestorm Jan 11 2012 at 17:33

1

I have some raw stuff that comes formed in little "buttons". They're great to get me through until the next meal. – Ashley Jan 11 2012 at 18:57

wow, firestorm, that's expensive!!! – The Loon Jan 12 2012 at 15:57

James · Answer 4 · 2012-01-11 20:43:02Z UTC

1

I've seen some concerns over aflatoxins/molds in cocoa beans getting through to the cocoa butter. But I don't know how much credence I give to sensitivity to that stuff.

answered Jan 11 2012 at 20:43

James
7,892●4●13

Any arguments against cocoa butter?

4 Answers