Lets learn more about food - Part 4 Carrots - Information for kids

We can eat different parts of a plant, depending on what type of plant it is.  We can eat the leaves, the fruits or the root.  One vegetable which is actually the root of the plant, is the carrot.

The plant stores it sugars and energy either in the leaves, the stem or the roots.

The best known carrots are orange but there are other varieties that can be red, white, purple and yellow.

The domesticated carrot that we know today originated from the wild carrot called Daucus carota which was native to Europe and south western Asia. 

The top part of the carrot, which is green and looks like a regular plant, can grow 1.5m high,  The height of the green plant is not always an indication of how big the carrot is.

A carrot mostly contains water and a little bit of sugar and fibre and almost no fat.  Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked, sweet or savoury and you can even use it to bake a carrot cake since a carrot has a natural sweetness in its taste.  You can find an easy recipe for a carrot cake here.  

Many people also drink the juice made from a carrot.  It is healthy and rich in vitamins.  There are a number of reasons why carrots are healthy and you can read more on it here.

Carrots are cooked and eaten in various different ways. The vegetable is often pulped, mashed, boiled, puréed, grated, fried, steamed, stewed, baked, juiced or eaten raw. Carrots are typically used in stir-fries and salads but also in soups and added to baby foods or pet foods. They can be dehydrated or deep-fried to make chips, flakes, and powder. 

Not many people will eat the leafy part of the carrot, but it can serve as food for rabbits or pigs.  This part of the plant also contains nutrients which are healthy.

The carrot is not only healthy, but it is also economical which means it is not too expensive and you can do a lot with it and use it in different foods like stews and soups, so it is a versatile vegetable.

If you eat too many carrots (but really a whole lot) your skin can turn yellowish and this is called 'carotenemia'.  It is in no way harmful to the body and will go away once you reduce your carrot consumption.

How do you know that carrots are good for your eyes?  Have you ever seen a rabbit with glasses??  Hahahaha

Watch the video and once you are done, re-tell the story or compile a few of your own questions and answer it.

Team South Africa banner designed by @bearone

                           https://discordapp.com/channels/351333608599977985/351333609430319105