How Many Calories Are in a Carrot?

January 3, 2026 •

3 min read

A single medium-sized carrot contains approximately 25 calories, making it a low-calorie and nutrient-rich addition to any diet. This article clarifies the common spelling mistake of "carro" and provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the nutritional value of a carrot, how its preparation affects calorie count, and the multiple health benefits it offers.

Quick Summary

This guide provides nutritional information for carrots, including calorie counts based on size and preparation. It explains why carrots are beneficial for health and weight management, offering tips for incorporation into meals.

Key Points

Spelling Correction: The topic likely intended to ask about "carrot," not "carro," which is the Spanish word for "car".
Low Calorie Count: A medium-sized raw carrot has only about 25 calories, making it an excellent snack for weight management.
Rich in Fiber: Carrots are high in fiber, which promotes a feeling of fullness and supports digestive health.
Preparation Affects Calories: While raw carrots have slightly fewer calories, the main change comes from adding ingredients like butter during cooking.
Abundant in Nutrients: Carrots are packed with vitamins, including beta-carotene (Vitamin A), Vitamin K, and potassium, which benefit vision, heart health, and immunity.
Aids in Weight Loss: Due to their low-calorie and high-fiber nature, carrots are a great tool for managing weight by helping to control appetite.
Side Effect of Excess: Eating a very large quantity of carrots can cause carotenemia, a harmless yellowing of the skin from excess beta-carotene.

Understanding the Nutritional Profile of a Carrot

While some may mistake the Spanish word "carro" (meaning car) for a food item, the crunchy orange vegetable you're likely thinking of is the carrot. Carrots are a popular and nutritious root vegetable, composed mostly of water and carbohydrates. Their low-calorie count and high fiber content make them an excellent choice for a healthy diet and weight management.

Raw Carrots: A Calorie-Efficient Snack

Raw carrots are a prime example of a nutrient-dense food, providing substantial vitamins and minerals for a minimal caloric investment. According to the USDA, a single, medium-sized raw carrot (approximately 61g) contains only about 25 calories. This makes them an ideal snack for curbing hunger without derailing your dietary goals. The high water and fiber content promote a feeling of fullness, which can reduce overall calorie intake throughout the day.

Weight: 61g
Calories: ~25
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1.5g
Fat: 0g
Protein: 0.5g

For a larger serving, such as one cup of chopped raw carrots (128g), the calorie count is around 52, still a very low number for the volume of food.

Cooked Carrots: Nutritional Changes by Preparation

Cooking carrots can slightly alter their nutritional profile. Boiling or steaming breaks down starches into simpler sugars, which can increase the glycemic index slightly, but it also improves the bioavailability of certain carotenoids. For instance, a 100-gram serving of cooked, boiled, and drained carrots contains about 35 calories, a negligible difference from raw. However, preparing carrots with added fats like butter or oil will significantly increase the total calorie count. For example, a standard portion of carrots sautéed in butter will have considerably more calories than a steamed portion.

Comparison Table: Raw vs. Cooked Carrots (Per 100g)


Nutrient	Raw Carrots	Boiled Carrots (No Salt)
Calories	~41 kcal	~35 kcal
Carbohydrates	9.0 g	8.2 g
Fiber	2.8 g	3.0 g
Sugar	4.7 g	3.5 g
Protein	0.9 g	0.8 g
Fat	0.2 g	0.2 g

Health Benefits Beyond Calorie Counting

Carrots are packed with essential vitamins and antioxidants that contribute to overall health. Their impressive nutritional benefits include:

Eye Health: Rich in beta-carotene, which the body converts into Vitamin A, carrots are essential for maintaining good vision, especially in low light.
Weight Management: The high fiber and water content help promote satiety, reducing overall food consumption and supporting weight loss goals.
Heart Health: Carotenoids and other antioxidants, combined with potassium, can help lower cholesterol and regulate blood pressure, contributing to a healthy heart.
Digestive Health: The fiber content aids in proper digestion and can prevent constipation.
Immune System Support: The abundance of Vitamin C helps strengthen the immune system and protect against infection.

Practical Tips for Incorporating Carrots

Carrots are incredibly versatile and can be enjoyed in many forms. Here are some simple ideas for adding more carrots to your diet:

As a snack: Enjoy raw baby carrots or carrot sticks with a healthy dip like hummus.
In salads: Shred or slice raw carrots into your favorite salads for added crunch and sweetness.
Roasted: Toss carrots with olive oil, herbs, and spices, then roast until tender for a delicious side dish.
In soups and stews: Carrots add flavor, texture, and nutrients to a wide range of soups and stews.
Juiced: For a concentrated nutrient boost, try fresh carrot juice. Just be mindful that juicing removes fiber.

Conclusion

When considering the question "how many calories are in a carro," the answer depends on the proper spelling and context. However, for a carrot, the calorie count is low, and the health benefits are plentiful. From supporting weight loss with its fiber content to boosting eye health with beta-carotene, this versatile vegetable is a valuable component of a balanced diet. Incorporating carrots in both raw and cooked forms can help you meet your nutritional needs and support overall wellness.

For more detailed nutritional data on carrots and other foods, consult official sources like the USDA's food database.

Frequently Asked Questions

A single medium-sized raw carrot (approx. 61g) contains about 25 calories.

Cooking a carrot, like boiling or steaming it, only slightly changes its natural calorie count. The biggest change comes from adding ingredients like butter or oil during preparation.

Yes, carrots are beneficial for weight loss. They are low in calories and high in fiber, which helps you feel full longer and reduces overall calorie intake.

Carotenemia is a harmless condition that can occur from consuming an excessive amount of beta-carotene, causing a yellowish discoloration of the skin. It can be reversed by reducing your intake of high-carotene foods.

Carrots are an excellent source of beta-carotene (which the body converts to Vitamin A), Vitamin K, potassium, fiber, and various antioxidants.

To keep carrots fresh for longer, store them in the refrigerator crisper after removing the green tops. Keeping them in a perforated plastic bag can extend their shelf life for several weeks.

Both raw and cooked carrots are healthy. While raw carrots offer more fiber, cooking can increase the body's absorption of beta-carotene and other antioxidants. Steaming is a great way to minimize nutrient loss during cooking.