5 Reasons to Car-rot More About Carrots! (Plus, Five Tasty Recipe Ideas!)

Did you know that baby carrots are not a type of carrot? Baby carrots can either be carrots that have not matured, or larger carrots cut into pieces! This was done to prevent the discard of perfectly good, yet blemished, carrots. Put on your gardening gloves and get digging this April 4th for International Carrot Day.

While you are probably used to carrots being the traditional orange color, carrots come in all different colors. While each color has a slightly different nutrient profile, they all share some common nutrients that are good for the human body!

Carrots are a versatile vegetable that you can eat not only with your savory meals but also as a dessert! There are very few vegetables that can be used as a side dish, a snack, and that can also satiate your sweet tooth.

Hopping Into Better Health with Carrots

Carrots are a bunny’s favorite vegetable for a reason! You have probably heard that carrots are good for the eyes, but their health benefits don’t stop there. Carrots are packed with nutrients that make them a great addition to almost everyone’s diet! Here are just a few:

Vitamins: As the saying goes, carrots are good for your eyes, this is due to their Vitamin A content. Carrots are high in beta carotene which the body turns into Vitamin A to promote eye health. Carrots also contain Vitamin K which is essential to proper blood clotting in the body.

Low Glycemic Index: Carrots consist mostly of carbohydrates and water; however, they are a lower glycemic index food. This means that they do not raise your blood sugar levels too high after consuming them. This is good for people with diabetes and those that are prediabetic as you do not want to raise blood sugars too high after consuming a meal.

Source of Fiber: Higher intake of fiber is linked to numerous health benefits from promoting gastrointestinal well-being to lowering cholesterol. Many Americans, unfortunately, do not eat enough fiber, snacking on carrots is a great way to increase fiber intake.

Micronutrients: Carrots contain a handful of micronutrients such as lutein, which is an antioxidant that is also essential for healthy vision. A red or purple carrot contains the antioxidant lycopene which is another antioxidant that is used to fight heart disease.

Totally Tasty Carrots

When you think of carrots you may think of “healthy” snacking or perhaps a side dish. However, carrots can be so much more than that! There are so many wonderful ways to transform carrots into something delicious. Here are just a few tasty ways:

Honey Glazed Carrots: If you are looking to elevate your side dish game, then try your hand at honey-glazed carrots. Lightly coat your carrots in a honey drizzle and roast to perfection!

Carrot Cake: It would not be a proper post about carrots without the mention of carrot cake. A typical carrot cake contains at least 6 carrots!

Carrot Salad: A perfect side dish for outdoor dining, a carrot salad has a refreshing taste due to its parsley and cilantro. You can serve it warm for those colder nights or refrigerate it to bring to a barbeque.

Carrot-Ginger Soup: If you are looking for a carrot dish that is going to be the star of the show, this is it. Carrot soup is yummy and packed with fiber and other nutrients to keep you and your family full.

Carrot Hummus: This dish is easy to make and will add some sweetness to a traditional hummus dish. You can even dip baby carrots into this carrot hummus for added fun!

Don’t be afraid to experiment when it comes to carrots! They are delicious in almost every form from raw to cooked. Just don’t forget to eat some on April 4th for International Carrot Day.

Your Turn to Action: What is your favorite way to eat a carrot? Let me know in the comments below!