Carrots

Carrot Facts:

Carrots get their bright orange color from β-carotene, which turns into vitamin A, a powerful antioxidant in the human body.  Vitamin A help preserve vision, fight infections, maintain healthy skin and bones, and regulate cell growth and division. (1) Without enough vitamin A, you may be at a higher risk for night blindness or experience skin disorders or infections. It is also a key structural component in the development and maintenance of the heart, lungs, kidneys and other organs (1).

Carrots are also an excellent source of fiber, several B-vitamins, vitamin K and potassium (2).

Shopping and Storage Tips:

  • Purchase carrots with a smooth and firm surface; avoid those that have cracks or rootlets. The more orange the carrots, the more β-carotene they contain.
  • Remove the green tops before storing carrots. Put them in plastic bags and refrigerate them for up to three months.
  • Carrots should be stored away from apples, peaches, pears and other fruits and vegetables that produce ethylene gas, since it will cause carrots to become bitter (3).

Recipes:

Balsamic Glazed Carrots

Carrot Slaw

Carrot Salad

Honey Roasted Carrots w/ Almonds

Oven Baked Carrot Chips

References

1. The Roles of Vitamin A. wwweatrightorg. 2017. Available at: http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/vitamins-and-supplements/types-of-vitamins-and-nutrients/vitamin-a. Accessed October 15, 2017.

2. Tanumihardjo S. Vitamin A: biomarkers of nutrition for development. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2011;94(2):658S-665S. doi:10.3945/ajcn.110.005777.

3. Refrigerator humidity effects on produce quality. MSU Extension. 2017. Available at: http://msue.anr.msu.edu/news/refrigerator_humidity_effects_on_produce_quality. Accessed October 15, 2017.

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