Are Carrots Keto?

Are Carrots Keto-Friendly?

Veggies are usually low-carb, but not all of them! Find out if carrots one of the keto-friendly veggies out there. Keto prep will have you asking a lot of questions about what you can and can’t eat. Are carrots appropriate for keto meals?

Are Carrots Keto?

You can fit carrots into a low-carb or keto diet because they are lower in sugar and carbs than other root vegetables like beets or potatoes. Overall, an average-sized carrot (61g) has:

Calories: 25g
Protein: 0.57g
Fat: 0.2g
Carbs: 6g
Fiber: 1.7g
Net Carbs: 5.3g

How you prepare your carrots will also change their nutritional value!

Preparing Carrots for Keto Meals

The best way to keep carrots keto is by preparing them in a healthy way. Any healthy food that gets coated in flour, maple glazed, deep fried, or sautéed in canola oil easily becomes Unhealthy and very un-keto! You should also monitor the portion size as well. A typical serving is about 1 cup of chopped carrots (128g) and has more carbs:

Calories: 53g
Protein: 1.2g
Fat: 0.3g
Carbs: 12g
Fiber: 3.6g
Net Carbs: 8.4g

Depending on your carb allowance, this can use almost a half of your daily carb allowance! So, measure your carrots and track how many you munch on.

Benefits to Adding Carrots to Your Keto Diet Plan

You always heard that carrots are good for your vision, but there’s more : Carrots are rich in carotenoids, a compound which gives carrots their orange color. Carotenoids serve as useful antioxidants in humans and can help with lowering cancer risks (including reducing risk for breast, prostate, colon, and stomach cancer), reducing cholesterol, and supporting general stomach and heart health! Carrots are also full of Vitamins C and A,  several B vitamins, fiber, potassium, and niacin. These nutrients play roles in reducing risk for age-related macular degeneration, supporting a healthy immune system, regulating blood sugar, and promoting healthy weight management.

How Can Carrots Fit Into My Keto Diet?

Are carrots keto? It is best to create dishes with a mixture of vegetables so you can limit the amount of carbs you eat while still letting you enjoy your carrots. Other vegetables like lettuce, broccoli, bell peppers, mushrooms, zucchini, or spinach add fiber and can bulk up your keto meals without adding to the meals carb total. Doubling up on low-carb proteins in your dishes keeps you feeling full longer, so remember to incorporate them as much as possible. Finding vegetables with a lower carb count is also a great way to satisfy cravings or to replace carrots with great alternatives in recipes.

Tips for Adding Carrots to Your Keto Diet

• Blanche and serve as a side to grilled chicken or steak
• Shred/chop and serve as a salad topping
• Chop and use to bulk up a tuna or chicken salad recipe
• Blend into a super-packed smoothie
• Snack on a few baby carrots with a healthy dip
• Roasted carrots and top with fresh pesto
• Add as an ingredient to soups

Low-Carb Alternatives to Carrots

Try these alternatives if you’re in the mood for a crunchy vegetable but can’t make carrots work into a meal! (1 serving = 1 cup) Also check out these guides for other low carb vegetables and fruits for keto diets.

Celery: 0.5 net carbs (per 101g)
Cucumber: 3.2g net carbs (per 104g)
Zucchini: 2.7g net carbs (per 124g)
Broccoli: 3.6g net carbs (per 91g)
Green Bell Peppers: 2.7g net carbs (per 92g)

Keto Meals

MealPro offers a diverse keto meal plan that includes entrees containing dairy that is rich in casein protein. Sign up today to have our delicious keto meal boxes shipped to your home or office.