Child Nutrition - C is For Carrie the Carrot

Child Nutrition - C is for Carrie carrot

Carrots are actually protecting the eyes, rather than improve vision, a little known fact to distinguish. Beta-carotene helps to protect vision, especially night vision. When beta-carotene is converted to vitamin A in the liver, it is transformed into Rhodesian. Rhodopsin is a purple pigment necessary for night vision. Beta-carotene benefits also protects against macular degeneration and the development of senile cataracts, the leading cause of blindness in the elderly.

Carrots are loaded with antioxidant compounds, and is the vegetable with the main source of the pro-vitamin A carotenes. These antioxidant compounds also help protect against cardiovascular disease and cancer. Studies have been conducted to show that those who had at least one serving of carrots and / or squash each day had a 60% reduction in risk of heart attack compared with those who ate less than one serving of these carotenoid-rich foods per day.

It is the high content of carotenoids and a phytonutrient called falcarinol in carrots has been credited in reducing the risk of several cancers, including postmenopausal breast, bladder, cervix, prostate, colon, larynx and esophagus. A study has also noted that the simple consumption of a carrot a day could cut the number of lung cancer in half. How wonderful!

Carrots can also help stabilize blood sugar, thanks again for the carotenoids found in carrots.

According to a Kansas State University study conducted by Associate Professor Richard Bay butt, the carcinogen benzoic (a) preen found in cigarette smoke, induce a vitamin A deficiency. This means that smokers or those exposed regularly to passive smoking, should consume a lot of vitamin A foods such as carrots. It can help counter the effects of cigarette smoke.

On a lighter note, did you know that carrots come in colors other than orange? Carrots can also be white, yellow, red or purple. Purple!?! Yep, it's true. Actually, the original purple color. Carrots can be traced back thousands of years for the regions in East and Central Asia.

Be sure to choose carrots as orange as possible. This is a sign that it has a lot of beta-carotene. Wash your carrots before you eat them, because they may contain pesticides that are left over from the courtyard. Carrots are good raw and cooked. You can use them in salads, or bake them into cakes.

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A. They are also a very good source of vitamin C, vitamin K, fiber and potassium.

There is a book on nutrition called The Adventures of Tommy the Tomato as a writer and nutritionist, Jay Holt. It is a wonderful book full of color illustrations for both children and parents about nutrition. Tommy and his friends are a group of fruits and vegetables, which educates children about the fun of eating healthily. Each character is named after a letter in the alphabet, so it is easy to follow and reinforce primary learning. Children relate to each side of the story, while learning about good nutrition, and it teaches parents how to find those healthy foods that appeal to your child (REN) and then use them in a variety of recipes.