What Is The Best MCT Oil for Keto?
So you’ve read up on the benefits of taking MCT oil for keto, and you’ve decided you want to give it a try. Searching Google or Amazon for MCT oil is likely to give you a bunch of different results, and every company seems to claim their product is the best. How do you know which MCT oils are good for keto and which ones to avoid? Here’s some quick tips!
What To Look For:
- Sustainable Sourcing: Palm oil can be a good source of MCTs, but irresponsible farming practices can have devastating environmental impacts. Look for MCT oil made from sustainably sourced palm oil or coconuts instead.
- High caprylic acid (C8): MCTs all fall under the category of “healthy fats” but caprylic or C8 acid is generally regarded as the most ketogenic and metabolically active of the bunch. The best MCT oils for keto have more caprylic (C8) and capric (C10) acid than lauric (C12) acid.
- Reputable companies: As the benefits of keto living and healthy fats become more widely known, a bunch of newer companies are trying to hop on the bandwagon using MCT and ketogenic as buzzwords. Make sure your MCT oil comes from a company with a reputation for quality and transparency.
What to Avoid:
- Fillers: Some MCT products, especially powdered versions, contain fillers like maltodextrin, sunflower lecithin, or other (less beneficial) oils. The best MCT oils for keto have minimal ingredient lists with no unnecessary fillers.
- Coconut oil: If you’re looking to supplement MCTs specifically, make sure you’re getting MCT oil rather than basic coconut oil. Coconut oil is great for keto baking and cooking (and contains some MCTs) but it is not the same as MCT oil!
- Exaggerated claims: There are definitely benefits to taking MCT oil, especially for keto’ers, but be wary of products making extreme claims. MCT oil has health and weight loss benefits, but it is not a miracle cure or magic bullet.
The Best MCT Oil for Keto?
So now that you know which factors are important when looking for a keto-friendly MCT oil supplement, which one would I recommend? Well, that really depends on how you plan on using it. Here are some you might consider:
The Best MCT Oil for Keto: On-the-Go
Product: Brain Brew 2Go by Superbody Breakthrough
MCTs: 100% caprylic (C8) acid
Source: Sustainable, non-GMO coconut and palm oil
Where to Find: Available online at this link. Save 10% with the code TKW10!
Why I Like It: These little packets of MCT oil are super convenient to take on the go. I usually keep some in my bag for those occasions when I need some quick, healthy fat energy while away from home. They have single-handedly helped me through long days or studying or running errands thanks to the boost!
The single-serving format is also convenient for adding to coffee at home or on the go, making mug cakes or other recipes, and even as an easy salad dressing (since many restaurant options are loaded with sneaky carbs).
The Best MCT Oil for Keto: For Cold Drinks/Sensitive Stomachs
Product: MCT Oil Powder by Perfect Keto
MCTs: 70% caprylic (C8) acid, 30% capric (C10) acid
Source: Sustainable coconuts
Where to Find: Available online at this link. Save 20% with the code TRYKETO!
Why I Like It: Liquid MCT products have their place, but they don’t always work well with cold liquids or other foods. I especially love this MCT powder for when I want to add some healthy fats to a cold beverage (like iced coffee, protein shakes, or preworkout drinks) or even something like greek yogurt or whipped cream. Hot or cold, it mixes easily without the need to use a blender, and avoids the “oil slick” effect that can happen when liquid MCT oil settles.
This MCT powder is also good for those with sensitive stomachs. Powdered MCT is generally easier to digest than liquid versions, especially for those who aren’t accustomed to taking it yet. And rather than using maltodextrin or another yucky filler, this powder is made using prebiotic fiber, offering additional gut health benefits!
The Best MCT Oil for Keto: For Flavored Coffee
Product: Vanilla Emulsified MCT Oil by Natural Force
MCTs: 40.5% caprylic (C8) acid, 27% capric (C10) acid, 30% lauric (C12) acid
Source: non-GMO, responsibly sourced coconuts
Where to Find: Available on Amazon at this link.
Why I Like It: This MCT oil is naturally flavored with vanilla, which makes it a delicious addition to coffee and other beverages. It’s also emulsified, which allows it to mix easily into drinks (including iced coffee). I really like the creaminess and flavor it adds to keto coffee despite being totally unsweetened and dairy free. The vanilla flavor is rich without being overpowering.
In addition to making delicious coffee, this keto MCT oil is also nice for fat bombs. Notably, it is a “full spectrum” MCT oil which means that it contains caprylic, capric, and lauric fatty acids. Although I mentioned that caprylic is the most ketogenic, the other MCTs have benefits of their own. Lauric acid in particular has some antiinflammatory effects that may improve gut health.
The Best MCT Oil for Keto: Around the Kitchen
Product: Brain Brew by Superbody Breakthrough
MCTs: 100% caprylic (C8) acid
Source: Sustainably sourced, non-GMO coconut and palm oil
Where to Find: Available online at this link. Save 10% with the code TKW10!
Why I Like It: For actual baking, frying, and sauteing, I would recommend using “whole” coconut oil, but a quality keto MCT oil still has plenty of uses in the kitchen. This is the “at home” equivalent of the portable packets listed above, which I use for many of the same things at home. Everything from adding it to coffee/smoothies, using it in mug cakes/fat bombs, and even making a quick MCT oil based salad dressing with vinegar and spices, this bottle has me covered.
One of my favorite uses for it is making a quick chocolate or peanut butter sauce: just melt equal parts of your favorite low carb chocolate or natural peanut butter and this MCT oil in the stove or microwave and stir to combine! The spout on the top makes it really easy to pour and measure without making a mess.
The Best MCT Oil for Keto: Easy to Take
Product: MCT Matcha Latte Powder by Perfect Keto
MCTs: 70% caprylic (C8) acid, 30% capric (C10) acid
Source: Sustainably sourced coconuts
Where to Find: Available online at this link. Save 20% with the code TRYKETO!
Why I Like It: If you’re not in the habit of drinking coffee daily and the idea of having oil by the spoonful doesn’t float your boat, it can be kind of hard to figure out how to get some extra MCTs in. This MCT matcha latte powder solves that problem by making a delicious drink on its own without needing to figure out other ingredients to add to it.
Just mix this with your favorite non-dairy milk (or even water), hot or cold, and you can have a tasty matcha latte drink that also provides a serving of keto MCTs. Like the unflavored powder listed above, this mix contains prebiotic fiber for gut health along with the antioxidant power of matcha green tea. It’s lightly sweetened with stevia.
What about you? What keto MCT oil products have you tried, and which do you like best? Feel free to share in the comments!
