Skip to main content
Mayo Clinic Health System
  • Patient Online Services
  • Pay Bill Online
  • Request an Appointment
    • Services
    • Providers
    • Locations

      Minnesota

      • Adams
      • Albert Lea
      • Austin
      • Belle Plaine
      • Blooming Prairie
      • Butterfield
      • Caledonia
      • Cannon Falls
      • Fairmont
      • Faribault
      • Janesville
      • Kenyon
      • Lake City
      • Le Sueur
      • Mankato
      • Montgomery
      • New Prague
      • New Richland
      • Northfield
      • Owatonna
      • Plainview
      • Red Wing
      • Sherburn
      • St. James
      • St. Peter
      • Waseca
      • Waterville
      • Wells
      • Zumbrota

      Wisconsin

      • Arcadia
      • Barron
      • Bloomer
      • Chetek
      • Chippewa Falls
      • Eau Claire
      • Ellsworth
      • Glenwood City
      • Holmen
      • La Crosse
      • Menomonie
      • Mondovi
      • Onalaska
      • Osseo
      • Prairie du Chien
      • Rice Lake
      • Sparta
      • Tomah

      Iowa

      • Decorah
      • Lake Mills

      View map
    • Classes/Events
    • Blog
    • Wellness
    • Referrals
    • COVID-19
    • Influenza

    Recent Posts

    • Person feeling sick, drinking beverage, holding tissue
      Speaking of Health
      What should you do if you have COVID-19 or flu?
      January 30, 2023
    • People playing Jenga
      Speaking of Health
      Preserving pandemic positives
      January 27, 2023
    • Person outdoors in the cold wearing hat, hoodie and facemask
      Speaking of Health
      Is the extreme cold bad for your lungs?
      January 27, 2023
    Featured Topics
    • Behavioral Health
    • Cancer
    • Children's Health (Pediatrics)
    • COVID-19
    • COVID-19 Vaccine
    • Exercise and Fitness
    • Heart Health
    • Men's Health
    • Neurosurgery
    • Obstetrics and Gynecology
    • Orthopedic Health
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Women's Health
    Join our email newsletter
    Speaking of Health
    Thursday, August 27, 2015

    What's the big deal with carrots?

    Topics in this Post
    • Nutrition
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Get healthy recipes and tips
    carrots_blog_shutterstock_154184855_72ppi

    by Connie Dennis, Guest Blogger, Weight Management Services

    I hate carrots. I have blamed many a failed diet on them. For some reason, I have always associated dieting with having to eat carrots. My pre-diet conversations have usually consisted of “OK, Connie. Let’s do this. We are going to eat healthy, lose a few pounds and keep it off. You better go buy some carrots.” I run to the store, buy carrots, and then after getting started, say to myself, “See, I don’t even like these. Obviously, I just can’t stick to eating healthy.” Really, Connie?

    When dieting, you may ask, “Why eat carrots?” According to research, including some from The U.S. Department of Agriculture, carrots are an excellent source of vitamins A, C and D, and are full of antioxidants. Carrots also are a good source of fiber and will help you feel full. They are convenient, and if stored properly, can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator. There is only one problem I can see with carrots — I don’t like them!

    Connie Dennis

    One day, while contemplating yet another healthy eating journey, it struck me — whoever made the rule that you HAVE to eat carrots in order to eat healthy? Are there not thousands of different types of vegetables in the world? For example, there are more than a thousand different types of tomatoes. Why do I keep buying carrots, not liking them and then blame them for not being able to eat healthy? I am not going to do that anymore. I am going to celebrate eating healthy by eating green beans, beets, sugar snap peas, broccoli, potatoes, onions, spinach and peppers — the list is endless. And, the combination of different vegetables is amazing. You can eat them raw or fry, steam, bake, grill, stir-fry, boil, sauté, stew, roast, blanch and microwave them. Don’t give yourself the blanket excuse of “I don’t like vegetables” until you have tried them all. You may be pleasantly surprised.

    So, goodbye carrots. I will always respect you for being nutritious, filling and convenient, but I won’t miss you. You just keep being the wonderful, convenient, go-to veggie for millions of people who are trying to eat healthy, and I will be over here enjoying all of the other vegetables that the world has to offer.

    Try some simple, yet delicious, main dish recipes using vegetables.

    Connie Dennis serves in a program support role in Weight Management Services at Mayo Clinic Health System.


    For the safety of our patients, staff and visitors, Mayo Clinic has strict masking policies in place. Anyone shown without a mask was either recorded prior to COVID-19 or recorded in a non-patient care area where social distancing and other safety protocols were followed.
    Topics in this Post
    • Nutrition
    • Weight Loss and Bariatric Surgery
    • Get healthy recipes and tips

    Related Posts

    Salad with steak corn and tomatoes 8 healthy tips for summer dining
    Forking vegetable salsa on plate Strategies to control portions
    Illustrated food packages 14 common food package claims

    Stay Connected

    • Contact Us
    • Notice of Nondiscrimination
    • Notice of Privacy Practices
    • Terms of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • About Us
    • Careers
    • Volunteer
    • Donate
    • For Patients & Visitors
    • Financial Assistance
    • Community Resources
    • Mayo Clinic Connect
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Press Room
    • Mayo Clinic
    • Home
    © 2018 - 2023 Mayo Clinic Health System