Carrots


Facts

  • Carrots are best known as a rich source of the antioxidant nutrient beta-carotene. However, they are also known for a wide variety of other healthy nutrients

  • Carrots are an excellent source of phytonutrients, vitamin A, biotin, vitamin K, fiber, potassium, vitamin B6 and vitamin C. They are also a good source of manganese, vitamin B3, vitamin B1, panthothenic acid, phosphorus, folate, copper, vitamin E and vitamin B2



tips

  • For the freshest carrots buy them with their brightly colored greens attached. Those sold without their greens could be a few months old

  • The greens make a delicious and nutritious addition to salads

  • Its best to eat carrots fresh as the process they undergo when frozen and then defrosted removes about half of their antioxidant benefits

  • Buy whole carrots  instead of the little pre-cut snacking ones which are actually mature carrots the outer layers of which have been cut away to a smaller size. Since with most vegetables the bulk of nutrients are found in the outer layers, one third of the phytonutrients of the carrots is lost in these small ones

  • Some vegetables are more nutririous when eaten raw - not so with carrots. They are more benefitial when cooked as their outer walls are broken down making their nutrients more bioavailable

  • Another health benefit - cut or chop carrots after they are cooked. This way they retain more nutrients

  • Serving carrots with a bit of oil makes their beta-carotene more absorbable