Calories in Carrot: Nutritional facts (Carbs, Fiber, Protein, Fat) for Carrot Types

According to the USDA FoodData Central, a 100g serving of raw carrots contains 45 calories.

One kilogram of carrots contains approximately 450 calories.

The calories in 1 carrot depends on its size. A large carrot that is 7-8 inches long has 30 calories, a small carrot that is 5 inches long has 21 calories, while 1 baby carrot has approximately 3.5 calories.

Carrots are rich in vitamins, minerals, amino acids, fiber and carotenoids, offering many health benefits, which are listed below:

• May Help Slow Down Aging: Carrots are rich in beta carotene, an antioxidant that improves fine lines and wrinkles, as well as boost the skin's hydration and elasticity. One study published in 2022 in the Cellular & Molecular Biology Letters Journal established that β-carotene may be an important potential anti-aging molecule, which can be used as a drug or in functional food to treat aging.
• Improves Eye Health: The beta carotene in carrots protects the eyes from damage and lowers the risk of cataracts. Yellow carrots contain lutein, which have been found to prevent age-related macular degeneration in several studies including the research published in the National Library of Medicine in 2019 authored by Liwen Feng.
• Lowers Cancer Risk: Carrots have antioxidants (specifically carotenoids and anthocyanins), which fight off free radicals in the body, which damage cells, contributing to cancer. A recent study published in 2023 titled Carrot Intake and Risk of Developing Cancer: A Prospective Cohort Study has shown that regular intake of carrots protects against lung cancer, bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer and leukemia. 
• Boosts the Immune System: The vitamin C present in carrots helps build antibodies that defend the body's immune system. Vitamin C also improves the body's utilization of iron and prevents infections.
• Helps Manage Diabetes: Carrots are among the non-starchy vegetables that contain a good amount of fiber that keeps the blood sugar levels in check. In one study published in the National Library of Medicine in 2021, it was found that carrot juice ingestion reversed the high fructose-induced adiposity, hyperinsulinemia, and hypertriglyceridemia in rats.

Carrots are nutritious and offer many health benefits, but this root vegetable also has some drawbacks, as listed below:

• Excessive beta carotene intake from carrots can interfere with vitamin A function, affecting vision, bones, skin, metabolism, and the immune system.
• People with hypothyroidism may have difficulty converting beta carotene to vitamin A, leading to potential health issues.
• Some individuals experience oral allergy syndrome (PFAS) after eating raw carrots, causing mouth itching, scratchy throat, itchy ears, hives, or throat swelling. Cooking carrots can reduce this reaction.
• Consuming excessive beta carotene can cause carotenemia, a harmless condition that turns the skin an orange-yellow color. 

Yes, carrots are definitely good for you because this vegetable is high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, carotenoids, and dietary fiber. Carrots are good for the eyes, protecting them from sun damage and lowers the chances of developing eye problems, according to WebMD. This root vegetable offers anti-aging benefits from beta carotene, including improving skin elasticity, texture, and hydration. Regular consumption of carrots also lowers the risk of cancer, helps manage diabetes, promotes heart health, and keeps your digestive system healthy. Consuming an 80g serving of carrots a day is recommended by the British Carrot Association.

Experts recommend consuming at least 80g serving of carrots a day, which contains 10% of the recommended fiber intake and twice the recommended daily amount (RDA) of vitamin A. The 2020–2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans advises adults to consume 2–3 cup-equivalents of vegetables daily.

There is no limit to the amount of carrots a person can consume in one day however foods high in beta-carotene can cause a condition called carotenemia, which is a yellowish discoloration of the skin. The condition is usually seen in young children.

Calorie content in carrots varies based on type and preparation. Standard raw carrots, such as Imperator, Nantes, Danvers, and Chantenay, provide around 52 calories per cup (128g). Purple carrots have a similar calorie count but contain additional antioxidants. Rainbow carrots, which come in various colors, have negligible differences in calorie content compared to standard orange carrots. Baby carrots, which are often peeled and shaped from larger Imperator carrots, contain about 35 calories per cup (122g) due to their higher water content. Cooking methods, such as roasting or glazing, can increase calorie levels depending on added ingredients like oil or sugar.

Yes, a carrot is a vegetable. More specifically, carrots are root vegetables like potatoes. Carrots are known for being tasty, crunchy, and nutritious, eaten raw or cooked by boiling, roasting or as an ingredient in soups, salads and desserts.

Carrots have been grown for thousands of years. This root vegetable was first cultivated about 5,000 years ago in Afghanistan, Iran, and Pakistan. Originally, carrots were used for medicine before becoming a common food. The first domesticated carrots were purple or yellow, while wild carrots were white or pale yellow.

The wild carrot plant comes from Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, dating back around 10,000 years to the Mesolithic era. These early carrots were small, thin, and white. Archaeologists have found carrot seeds in ancient campsites in Switzerland and Germany from 3,000 to 5,000 years ago, but these were likely gathered from wild plants rather than farmed.

In 2020, global carrot consumption reached 46.3 million metric tons, making it one of the most widely consumed vegetables worldwide. Consumption is expected to grow at a 4.1% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from 2021 to 2026. The countries with the highest carrot consumption are those with strong domestic production, high import volumes, or both. These include China, the United States, Russia, Germany, Uzbekistan, and the United Kingdom. China accounts for over 55% of global carrot consumption, with annual usage exceeding 21.4 million metric tons. The U.S. is one of the largest carrot markets, with an estimated annual consumption of 2.3 million metric tons. Russian consumption is around 1.6 million metric tons per year. Russia also imports significant quantities of carrots, primarily from Uzbekistan and China. Germany was the world’s largest carrot importer in 2020, with imports valued at $158 million, mostly sourced from EU member states. The country's annual carrot consumption is estimated at 1.5 million metric tons. Germany holds a 10–20% share of global carrot imports, showing its heavy reliance on external supply. Uzbekistan is both a top producer and consumer, consuming about 1.3 million metric tons annually. The UK has stable carrot consumption at 0.8 million metric tons per year, with demand coming from fresh market sales, food processing, and baby food industries. 

The cost of fresh carrots continues to rise due to inflation, supply chain shifts, and changing consumer demand, carrot-inclusive dishes are likely to see price adjustments. In 2022, the average fob price for fresh carrots was $20.08 per carton, up 10% from $18.21 in 2021. The retail promoted price for fresh carrots increased 12%, from 78 cents per pound in 2021 to 87 cents per pound in 2022. 

Given this trend, restaurants have had to adjust their pricing for dishes that feature carrots as a key ingredient. For example, carrot cake, a popular dessert, is widely available in bakeries and restaurants. Lloyd’s Carrot Cake in New York City, famous for its homemade cakes, has seen long lines during the holiday season. The increasing cost of ingredients suggests that prices have likely risen in response. In high-end dining, Saison, a two-Michelin-star restaurant in San Francisco, includes carrot cake in its $78 five-course bar menu, highlighting how premium establishments position carrot-based dishes as part of upscale offerings.

Savory carrot dishes also reflect pricing trends. Honey glazed carrots, a common side dish, is available at Texas Roadhouse, where menu prices vary by location but generally range between $3.99 to $5.99. Carrot soup price usually falls between $6 and $12, depending on portion size and ingredients. The Midwest, which leads in carrot consumption (57% of households purchasing fresh carrots), sees more availability of these dishes, often at competitive prices.