Coconut oil has been the subject of great interest as edible oil used for weight reduction and treatment of diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and epilepsy. To evaluate the metabolic impact of its intake, Wistar male rats were randomized into four groups based on the presence of soybean or coconut oil, and on their allowed concentration of fats (control, NormoCoco – both with 7% fat; KetoSoy, and KetoCoco, both with 67% fat) for eight weeks. Body weight, blood biochemical markers and liver histology were evaluate. When weight gain was adjust for energy intake, the KetoSoy group was the sole group with less weight gain than the control. The groups fed a ketogenic diet, regardless of the lipid source, had significantly lower levels of serum triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol compared to control. The frequency and severity of steatosis was higher in the control group, and no differences were found in hepatic or renal markers for all diet groups. These findings suggest that coconut oil intake may be safe and useful as an alternative lipid source, even in ketogenic proportions.