Benefits of Healthy Carrot Snacks

Benefits of Healthy Carrot Snacks

Carrots are an all-around healthy food. They are low in calories, and provide fiber and micro-nutrients such as vitamin A. The best way to snack on carrots is to eat carrot sticks, but you can also cut large carrots into slices for dipping. Shredded carrots make a great addition to sandwiches as well. Here are a few ways you can create healthy carrot snacks.

History: Carrots are a root vegetable that originated in Asia. For centuries, the Chinese have understood the medicinal value of carrots. Chinese medicine has used the common vegetable to improve everything from an irritated stomach to a persistent cough to sexual dysfunction.

Significance: The beta carotene that is prominent in carrots not only aids in improving eyesight, it is also a powerful antioxidant that fights cancer cells.

Vitamin A is important to the respiratory system as it reduces inflammation and emphysema of the lungs.

Function: A daily portion of only a half cup of carrots provides your body with the amount of nutrients needed to combat heart disease, vision loss and cancer.

Benefits: Eating carrots is also beneficial to those who battle hypertension, constipation and even to those who suffer from dandruff.

Considerations: To ensure a proper daily dosage of carrots, consider juicing them along with a blend of other fruits or vegetables.

Healthy Snacks

Dip your carrots in natural peanut butter or other nut butters such as almond butter. This will provide you with protein and healthy fat in addition to the nutrients in the carrots.

Use your carrots as healthy dippers for hummus made of chickpeas and baba ghanoush made of eggplant. You can find these dips at your local deli counter, or make them yourself.

Create a vegetable dip for your carrots using plain yogurt and your favorite herbs and spices such as chives, basil or cilantro. Add a little salt, pepper and garlic powder for more flavor.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Make a snack sandwich with shredded or thinly sliced carrots, chopped apples and peanut butter on bread. Heat and press the sandwich to create a warm Panini.

Create a snack wrap with your carrots. Spread a small amount of cream cheese on a small flour tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce, sliced cucumbers and shredded carrot, and roll up.

Add carrots to other fruit juices in your juicer for a nutritional boost. Try apple and carrot, or orange and carrot juice.