How to Eat Carrots for Maximum Nutrition
My child really likes to eat carrots, but I want to prepare them in more varied ways. What is the most nutritious way to eat carrots?
Doctor's answer (1)
Carrots are rich in nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin C, potassium, and dietary fiber, offering positive effects on maintaining eye health, boosting immunity, and promoting digestion. The following are several healthy ways to eat carrots:
1. Raw consumption: Carrots can be eaten raw, which helps preserve heat-sensitive vitamin C and reduces calorie intake.
2. Steaming or boiling: Light heating can help the body better absorb beta-carotene in carrots. Steaming or lightly stir-frying is more beneficial for nutrient absorption than eating raw. At the same time, a moderate amount of oil, such as olive oil, can enhance the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins.
3. Stir-frying: Carotenoids in carrots are fat-soluble substances that can only be converted into vitamin A and absorbed by the body in the presence of fats. Therefore, cooking carrots with oil or stewing them with meat can effectively improve the absorption rate of carotenoids.
4. Pairing with other foods: Consuming carrots together with foods rich in vitamin C, such as oranges and kiwifruit, can promote iron absorption and enhance immunity. Additionally, combining carrots with protein-rich foods, such as chicken or tofu, provides more comprehensive nutrition.
