Are you wondering if you can eat carrots on a keto diet? Keep reading this post to find out how many carbs are in carrots and how many carrots you can include in a ketogenic diet. Finally, we’ll share some of the best keto carrots recipes that fit perfectly on a low carb diet.
Vegetables are an essential element of the keto diet, as we all know. However, it can be challenging to tell which veggies are keto-friendly and which not, especially if you’re a beginner. Are carrots, for example, keto-friendly?
Carrots are the most common root vegetable globally and one of the most essential farmed vegetables in history. In addition, carrots have been enjoyed by almost all cultures throughout history, whether raw or cooked.
What Is A Keto Diet?
The ketogenic diet is a high-fat, low-carbohydrate diet designed to encourage the body to enter a state of ketosis. In ketosis, your body switches from using glucose (sugar) as its primary energy source to burning fat for fuel.
Are Carrots Keto Friendly?
Carrots have a higher carb content than other vegetables, so many keto dieters think they should avoid them at any cost.
They are not that high in calories that’s why it’s included in most diets.
And the question is still if carrots are keto-friendly.
Yes, carrots can be eaten on a keto diet, but you need to be careful about the amount you are eating. They add up super quickly, and I recommend using them in recipes. So, enjoy carrots in moderation.
You can take around 25-50 grams of carbs on the keto diet each day, depending on your daily demands and degree of fat adaptation.
So long as you stay under your daily carb limit, carrots are fine to eat on a keto diet.
People who have been eating keto for a long time have higher carbohydrate tolerance limits and rarely need to be afraid of carrots.
How Many Carbs are in Carrots?
Carrots are lower in sugar and carbohydrates than potatoes.
One medium (61g) raw carrot contains:
- Calories: 25
- Protein: 1g
- Fat: 0.14g
- Carbs: 5.84g
- Fiber: 1.71g
- Net carbs: 4.13g
A serving of 4 baby carrots contains 4.5g net carbs.
Can You Eat Carrots on Keto?
Yes, you can eat carrots on a keto diet but make sure you’re using small quantities. For example, you can stick with a serving of 1/2 cup that’s around 4.5g net carbs.
If you’re wondering if cooking carrots affects the carb content, learn that the carb count remains the same. So, you can enjoy both raw or cooked carrots on the keto diet.
Keto Carrots Substitutes
Finding a substitute for carrots might be difficult on keto – it all depends on how often you eat them. So before making a quick swap, look out for the low-carb carrot recipes below.
- Cabbage contains 3 grams of net carbohydrates per 100 grams.
- Asparagus contains 2.1 grams of net carbohydrates per 100 grams.
- Cauliflower has 2.8 grams of net carbohydrates per 100 grams.
- Broccoli contains 4 grams of net carbohydrates per 100 grams.
Also, if you enjoy snacking on carrots but want to stay keto-compliant, consider substituting them with:
- Celery sticks
- Cucumber slices
- Bell pepper strips
- Cherry tomatoes (in moderation)
Keto Recipes with Carrots
Even if they are not low carb veggies, they’re ideal for adding in tiny amounts as part of a low-carb meal.
Here are some favorite recipes that I will use carrots in:
- Low Carb Keto Carrot Cake – the best sugar-free carrot cake with coconut flour.
- Easy Keto Vegetable Soup – this low carb soup is super filling and loaded with vegetables.
- Keto Beef Stew – the ultimate comfort food for a cold day.
- Homemade Coleslaw Salad – creamy, fresh, delicious, and ready in only 10 minutes.
- Easy Crack Slaw – a perfect combo of flavors ready in 20 minutes.
Benefits of Carrots
Carrots contain certain beneficial qualities:
- Have a high beta carotene content, a substance that the body converts to vitamin A and is good for eye health.
- Have a high level of manganese – This is important because it aids calcium absorption and is necessary for bone health.
- Carrots have insoluble fibers like lignin and hemicellulose, which can help prevent constipation and encourage regular bowel motions.
- It may help you control your blood pressure and increase heart health.
Can I Eat Cooked Carrots On Keto?
Cooking carrots may slightly reduce their carb content per gram, making them a slightly better option for the keto diet than raw carrots. However, the difference is minimal, so portion control is still crucial.
What Are The Best Ways To Incorporate Carrots Into A Keto Meal Plan?
If you want to include carrots in your keto diet, consider using them in moderation in salads, stews, or as a side dish. Be mindful of the portion size to avoid consuming too many carbs.
Are Baby Carrots Lower In Carbs Than Regular Carrots?
Baby carrots are simply small, immature carrots that have been cut into bite-sized pieces. They are not significantly lower in carbs than regular carrots. Both baby carrots and full-sized carrots have a similar carb content per gram.
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