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Carrots
Every knowledge on vegetables, health and nutrition.
Scientific Name
Daucus carotta (Apiaceae family)Common name
Carrots go under different names in the French regions, including pastenade, gironelle, goirotte, racine jaune and tête d’âne.
Varieties and seasons
Carrots can be harvested practically throughout the year, and they are available fresh in stores at all times, winter and summer.
Several varieties ensure this year-round availability, from the forward crop and early maturing carrots to the “early”, “new” and “storing” carrots.
Production
The production of carrots is distributed among regions as follows: Europe (53%), Asia (25%), Northern America (11%), South America (5%) and Africa (4%). In Europe, the main producers are: Poland, France, Italy, Netherlands, UK, Spain and Belgium.
Consumption
The French people are the main consumers of carrots in Europe with 6,7 kg / year per capita in 2009. In Spain, it has increased very little in recent years to reach 4,2kg / year per capita. In 2006, the Belgian consumption of carrots was 8,8kg per capita. In 2009, a German household ate an average of 7,8kg of carrots. While the United States, consumption is 6 kg per capita.
Carrots are one of the first vegetables eaten by babies as they move onto solids.
Nutritional values (per 100 g)
Raw* | Cooked* | Tinned** | Frozen** | RDI*** | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Energy | 31 kcal | 25 kcal | 29 kcal | 32.5 kcal | |
Proteins | 0.8 g | 0.8 g | 0.64 g | 0.88 g | |
Carbohydrates | 6.6 g | 5 g | 5.64 g | 6.42 g | |
Fat | 0.3 g | 0.3 g | 0.42 g | 0.37 g | |
Fibres | 2.6 g | 2.7 g | 1.17 g | 2.56 g | 30 g |
Sodium | 35 mg | 37 mg | 166 mg | 21.5 mg | |
Provitamin A | 10 mg | 8.8 mg | 6.28 mg | 4,800 µg | |
Vitamin B9 | 30 µg | 22 µg | 200 µg | 200 µg | |
Lutein+zeaxanthin**** | 256 µg | 687 µg |
* Ciqual 1995 ** Bonduelle Data *** Recommended Daily Intake **** USDA
Nutritionist’s advice
High beta-carotene or provitamin A content: this is transformed by the body into vitamin A, vital for healthy skin and night vision. There is no risk of overdose. This provitamin is only slightly altered by the cooking process, unlike vitamin C.
A small portion of carrots covers your total daily adult provitamin A requirements.
Quand on parle de portions...
-a child portion : one little carrot
-an adult portion : one medium carrot
Cooking and nutrition: tasty combinations
-Grated carrots with orange: Grated carrots with orange segments and lemon juice, seasoned with fresh coriander. Provitamin A from the carrots blends well with the vitamin C of the orange. In terms of flavour, the mellow acidity of the orange and the mildness of the carrot create a tasty contrast.
-Beef with carrots: The combination of provitamin A in the carrots, group B vitamins in the meat, iron and proteins ensure you enjoy a balanced meal.
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