If you’re looking for carbohydrates during a marathon, don’t rely on a sugar-free coconut drink such as Alpro Coco Sans Sucres. Auchan’s product information lists 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 ml, while INSEP identifies carbohydrates as the main fuel for exercise. If you’re buying coconut milk for regular cooking instead, distinguish it from a plant-based drink and choose a size you can use before it needs to be consumed after opening. Check that the specific product is available before planning to buy a 2 L size.
If you’re considering a coconut product to fuel a marathon, check its carbohydrate content rather than looking at calories alone. INSEP describes carbohydrates as the main fuel for exercise, so a sugar-free coconut drink may not serve this purpose.
If you use it in recipes regularly, choose a pack size that you can finish within the stated storage period after opening. A larger size is only practical if the product you want is available and you can use it within that time.
A plant-based drink and coconut milk for cooking aren’t intended for the same uses. Check the product name, ingredients and nutritional information for the specific product to avoid confusion.
First, decide whether you’re looking for carbohydrates to fuel exercise, an ingredient for cooking or a plant-based drink. If you’ll use it regularly at home, then check the pack size and storage instructions after opening.
| What to check | What to look for | Who this matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Carbohydrate content | Compare the carbohydrates per 100 ml and per serving; don’t confuse calories with carbohydrates. | If I’m planning my nutrition for a marathon, I want to know whether the product actually provides carbohydrates. Carbohydrate content would be the top priority for around 40% of shoppers concerned. |
| Pack size and storage | Check the pack size, whether the product is available and its storage instructions after opening. | If my household regularly cooks with coconut milk, I want a pack we can use within the stated time. Around 40% of shoppers would prioritise finding a suitable pack size. |
| Product type | Read the product name, ingredients and nutritional information per 100 ml. | If I want a plant-based drink, I don’t want to accidentally buy coconut milk intended for cooking. This distinction would be the top priority for around 20% of shoppers. |
Energy content doesn’t tell you how many carbohydrates a product provides. Auchan’s product information for Alpro Coco Sans Sucres lists 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 ml; INSEP identifies carbohydrates as the main fuel for exercise.
If you’re buying it to fuel a marathon, check the “carbohydrates” line per 100 ml and compare it with the serving size you’re planning to have.
A Carrefour product listing mentions a 2 L version, but shows the product as unavailable. So a stated pack size alone isn’t enough to plan regular purchases.
Check the size and availability with your chosen store or Drive service, then compare the quantity with how much you’ll use after opening.
They can differ in both use and composition. For example, E.Leclerc lists 18 g of fat per 100 ml for its 200 ml Bio Village coconut milk, compared with 1.2 g per 100 ml on Auchan’s listing for Alpro Coco Sans Sucres.
Choose based on the product name, ingredients and nutritional information, not just the word “coconut” on the pack.
These examples show different product types and pack sizes to look out for. Their features won’t necessarily apply to every product in the same range.
Auchan’s 1 L Coco Sans Sucres product is a plant-based drink, not coconut milk for cooking.
The retailer offers both coconut milk for cooking and plant-based coconut drinks, so check what each product is.
The retailer’s listings include 1 L coconut drinks.
E.Leclerc’s Bio Village coconut milk for cooking comes in a 200 ml pack.
Aldi pages show Asia Green Garden coconut milk for cooking in 400 ml and 800 ml sizes.
Don’t assume how many carbohydrates it contains from its name or calorie content. INSEP identifies carbohydrates as the main fuel for exercise. For example, Auchan’s product information for Alpro Coco Sans Sucres lists 0 g of carbohydrates per 100 ml. Check the nutritional information for the specific product and the serving size you’re planning to have.
First, check whether a product in that size is available at your store or through its Drive service. Carrefour mentions a 2 L version on a listing where the product is shown as unavailable. Before making regular purchases, also make sure your household can use the pack within the recommended time after opening.
Follow the storage time and temperature on the packaging of the product you buy. Auchan’s listing for Alpro Coco Sans Sucres says to keep it refrigerated and use it within 5 days of opening, while another coconut drink sold by Auchan has a 4-day limit. These times aren’t interchangeable. The Ministry of the Economy advises following the manufacturer’s storage recommendations.
Start with the product name, then check the ingredients and nutritional information. The DGCCRF lists these among the details provided on food labels. They help you compare products without assuming that everything labelled “coconut” has the same use or composition.