Is coconut milk good for you?

Coconut milk is not particularly healthy, especially when consumed in large amounts. Just 1 cup of the liquid contains 445 calories and 43 grams of saturated fat, making it an inadvisable choice for people with heart conditions or people trying to lose weight.

If a recipe calls for coconut milk, it's possible to retain the flavor of the liquid without consuming its excessive amounts of calories and fat. Half-and-half or 2 percent milk with coconut extract added can be substituted. Light versions of coconut milk can also be used, although these still contain half the amount of the undesirable components.