The Carb Count in Carrots
One medium carrot has about 6 grams of carbohydrates. One-half cup of baby carrots -- the amount the American Diabetes Association suggests for a midday snack -- also contains about 6 grams of carbs. Because carrots have so much fiber, they affect metabolism differently than other carbs.
Do These Carbs Count?
Carbohydrates are classified into three categories: starch, sugar or fiber. Fiber comes from the indigestible part of plant foods -- especially fruits and vegetables with edible skins and seeds. Between 2 and 3 grams of the carb content in a serving of carrots is fiber. Because the fiber content is so high, the sugar content reaches your bloodstream much more slowly than simple sugars do, meaning you're unlikely to get a sugar rush and an insulin spike from carrots.
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Writer Bio
Based in Chicago, Rhonda Alexander has written health-related articles since 2006. Her work has appeared in publications owned by the Sun-Times Media. She holds two master's degrees from DePaul University in addition to certifications in personal training and fitness nutrition. Her first book, "Green Smoothie Bliss," will be released 2014.