Are Carrots Keto? (A Nutritionist Answers)

Veggies are typically 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. If you’re not one of the lucky who has their keto meals prepared for them, you’re probably doing a lot of ingredient Googling. So, let’s settle one question you might have about CARROTS. Are they keto? 

Are carrots keto? Yes!


Table of Contents 
Are Carrots Keto? 
Preparing Carrots for Keto Meals 
Benefits to Adding Carrots to Your Diet 
How Can Carrots Fit Into My Keto Diet? 
Tips for Adding Carrots to Your Diet 
Low-Carb Alternatives for Carrots 


Are Carrots Keto? 

You may be able to 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 

In meals, these amounts can of course, change. 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. 

Don't use non-keto ingredients to prepare your carrots dishes to prevent a carb overload.

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

SUMMARY

The way you prepare your carrots prevents adding unwanted carbs – don’t use canola oil or flour to prepare your dishes. And watch portion sizes!



Benefits to Adding Carrots to Your Diet 

You always heard growing up that carrots were good for your vision, but there’s more to it than that

Carrots are rich in a compound called carotenoids, which give 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! 

Carotenes are super nutrients found in carrots that have many health benefits.

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. 

SUMMARY

Carrots are full of antioxidants, Vitamins C, A, and B, fiber, potassium, and niacin. These all help with lowering risk for cancer and developing age related macular degeneration, as well as helping to reduce cholesterol, support your heart, stomach, and immune system, and helping with weight management.



How Can Carrots Fit Into My Keto Diet? 

Creating dishes with a mixture of vegetables 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 meals without bulking up the dish’s carb total.  

Add carrots to meals to boost your keto meal's nutritional value while still staying within your carb range.

Doubling up on low-carb proteins in your dishes lessens the chances of you being hungry later, so remember to incorporate them as much as possible (and many are super affordable, too!) 

Finding equally crunchy vegetables with a lower carb count is also a great way to satisfy cravings or to replace carrots with equally great alternatives in recipes. 

SUMMARY

Use small portions of carrots in dishes, or replace them entirely with other lower-carb vegetables like leafy greens, mushrooms, zucchini, and broccoli to stay full while eating a well-balanced diet.



Tips for Adding Carrots to Your Diet 

Try this carrot pesto keto recipe!


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)