People who cook with coconut milk
If you want to keep coconut milk in a sauce or curry while keeping track of the meal’s protein, check its nutrition information and the other ingredients in the recipe.
Who are these options for?
People looking for a coconut-flavoured snack
If protein matters more to you than a creamy texture for cooking, compare the protein per serving rather than choosing a product based on the word “coconut” alone.
People who pay close attention to ingredients
A plant-based drink, a fermented plant-based product and a dairy product with coconut flavour can all have different ingredients. Check the product category, ingredients and allergen information for the product you’re considering.
What should you check?
First decide whether you’ll use the product for cooking, drinking or as part of a snack. Then compare its nutrition information and ingredients with your intended use in mind.
| What to check | Look for | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Protein | Grams of protein per 100 g or 100 ml, then per serving. | If I’m choosing a snack for its protein, I want to know how much I’ll actually get from the amount I eat. Around 40% of consumers are said to put this measurable amount at the top of their list of priorities. |
| Cooking use | The product category, its coconut extract content and its fat content. | For a sauce or curry, I first look for the consistency and flavour I want; I consider the protein in the other ingredients separately. This is said to be the main priority for around 40% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | The ingredients list, allergen information and storage instructions. | If I avoid certain ingredients, I need to be able to tell a plant-based product from a dairy one and check any information that applies to me. For around 20% of consumers, this compatibility is said to be the main consideration. |
Common mix-ups to avoid
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Assuming all coconut products are the same
Cooking coconut milk and a plant-based drink don’t necessarily have the same ingredients or uses. Carrefour France product listings show 18 g of fat per 100 g for Carrefour Sensation coconut milk, compared with 0.8 g per 100 g for Alpro coconut drink.
First choose the category that suits your recipe or how you plan to consume it, then compare the nutrition information on a like-for-like basis.
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Guessing the protein content from the name or ingredients
The Auchan France listing for Andros Gourmand & Végétal plant-based product includes pea protein in the ingredients, but shows 0.6 g of protein per 100 g.
Check the “protein” figure and compare it with the serving you intend to eat.
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Overlooking product-specific information
The Carrefour France listing for Grace coconut milk mentions sodium metabisulphite. The Auchan France listing for Andros Gourmand & Végétal warns that it may contain traces of soya and nuts, and says to store it between 0 °C and 6 °C.
Check the ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions on the packaging of the product you choose.
Brands and ranges to know
Carrefour Sensation
Sterilised cooking coconut milk in a 400 ml tin.
- Carrefour France’s listing states that it contains 85% coconut extract, with 185 kcal and 18 g of fat per 100 g.
- To see how it fits into a protein-focused meal, also check the “protein” figure for the product you buy.
Grace
Cooking coconut milk in a 400 ml tin.
- Carrefour France’s listing states that it contains 48% coconut extract.
- It lists sodium metabisulphite (E223). Check the ingredients if this information is relevant to you.
Alpro
A 1 L coconut plant-based drink, which is different from cooking coconut milk.
- Carrefour France’s listing includes water, coconut milk and rice, among other ingredients. It gives 20 kcal and 0.8 g of fat per 100 g.
- Check its protein content and the result you want from your recipe before using it instead of cooking coconut milk.
Andros Gourmand & Végétal
A fermented plant-based coconut milk product, sold in the chilled aisle.
- Auchan France’s listing gives 0.6 g of protein per 100 g, making it possible to compare servings.
- It warns that the product may contain traces of soya and nuts, and says to store it between 0 °C and 6 °C.
Joybuy products
Related products coming soon.
Frequently asked questions
Is coconut milk automatically a good choice if I’m looking for protein?
No. Check the protein per serving and per 100 g for the specific coconut milk you’re considering. The product name and creamy texture don’t tell you how much protein it provides.
Can I use coconut drink instead of coconut milk in a sauce?
It depends on the consistency you’re after. Carrefour France’s listings show 18 g of fat per 100 g for Carrefour Sensation coconut milk and 0.8 g per 100 g for Alpro coconut drink. Check the product category and ingredients before adapting your recipe.
What should I check if I avoid certain ingredients?
Read the ingredients list and allergen information for each product rather than guessing what it contains from the word “coconut” alone. For example, the Auchan France listing for Andros Gourmand & Végétal warns that it may contain traces of soya and nuts.
Do all coconut products need to be stored in the same way?
No. The Auchan France listing for Andros Gourmand & Végétal says to store it between 0 °C and 6 °C, while Carrefour Sensation is described as sterilised coconut milk in a tin. Follow the instructions on the packaging of the product you buy.