Cakes are usually the best comfort food alongside ice cream, especially when you are craving something sweet. You’re probably one of those people who needs to have a slice of cake for dessert on a regular basis. But you might be looking for a healthier option.
So, is carrot cake good for you? I mean who wouldn’t think it’s healthy? It’s a cake with vegetables, it probably must be healthy, right? I wouldn’t be so sure about that.
We are here to give the answer to your question, alongside a detailed breakdown of the health benefits and downsides of Carrot Cake and possible options to make it better for you. So, keep on reading!
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Is Carrot Cake Healthy?
Let’s find out to what extent carrot cakes are healthy.
Calorie Breakdown:
A carrot cake might contain healthy ingredients such as carrots or nuts, but chances are most of the nutritional benefits of the raw food are lost through processing.
In addition to that, carrot cakes are usually filled with more sugar and fat. Usually, one slice of 92g carrot cake with cream cheese frosting can contain up to 650 calories! Yes, that’s right, it’s almost half of your calorie count for the entire day of 1500 calorie diet.
On top of that, each serving of this cake consists of around 53 percent of fat, 3 percent protein, and 44 percent of carbs. So, if you think of substituting your regular slice of chocolate cake with a slice of carrot cake, then you might consider rethinking your situation.
Downsides of Carrot Cake:
This high sugar-based cake may contain some added nutrition from carrots and nuts, pineapple, and raisins as well if you do prefer adding them. However, the nutrition may get lost amidst all the fat and sugar.
Not to mention that having a slice of carrot cake by thinking it is probably the healthier option on a regular basis may not be a wise decision. This is because this may likely lead to chronic diseases such as Diabetes.
Moreover, it is most definitely going to make you gain some pounds within a very short period of time.
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Tips to Make Carrot Cake Healthier:
This carrot cake is one of the most deceptive desserts despite its healthy elements. Hence the moral of the story is that it’s not healthy. However, we can make it a lot healthier by substituting a few ingredients.
Using Natural Sweeteners:
The sweet luscious taste of Carrot Cake along with the cream cheese frosting, is one of the best parts of this cake. However, the large amount of sugar is the greatest issue due to the drawbacks associated with too much sugar.
Therefore, you don’t want to get carried away with adding heaps of sugar. But you can always include your natural options. In such cases, you can use canned crushed pineapple as a natural sweetener.
This will not only eliminate the downsides of artificial sugar but also add some fiber and antioxidants along with it, which is not available with added sugar.
Try Using Healthier Flour Options:
The traditional and classic recipe for a carrot cake recommends using All-purpose flour. However, it’s not the healthier option. If you want to add a boost of fiber while keeping the cake batter tender, try using Whole-wheat flour instead.
Even better, if you want to use a gluten-free option, try using Almond flour. Its nutty flavor enhances the overall taste of the cake when mixed with carrots and spices.
Swap Your Frostings:
Taking out your cream cheese frosting from the equation is not a viable option, so don’t be scared! However, we do recommend using reduced-fat cream cheese with a dash of Greek yogurt. Or use ¼ cup of powdered sugar instead of the 14 cups!
This substitute frosting makes it a bit suitable for consumption for Diabetics as well. If you’re looking for a vegan option, we got your back as well! Try swapping your regular cream cheese frosting with coconut cream frosting. You will not regret it!
Add Some Nuts for the Extra Boost of Nutrition!
If you want to add more nutrients to your carrot cake, you can always add some toasted Walnuts or Pecan. These nuts contain high content of fiber and protein, which is not only fulfilling but also a good source of Omega-3 ALA, which is good for heart.
In addition to that, it also enhances the flavor of the cake, which is a plus, I’m sure!
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is Carrot Cake Healthy as an alternative to other types of cakes?
The carrots and nuts (if you do add them) are a great source of nutrients, which is not present in other types of cake, such as Chocolate cake. In that sense, it can be considered a healthy alternative. However, sugar can eliminate the benefits.
Is Carrot Cake high in sugar?
Yes, Carrot cakes can be quite high in sugar. Don’t be fooled by the addition of vegetables in this sneaky dessert! A slice of carrot cake with a cream cheese frosting can be around 650 calories!
What are the benefits of Carrot Cake?
Carrots contain vitamins and minerals such as beta-carotene and lycopene, which are essential for ocular health. So, carrot cakes can be beneficial for keeping your eyes healthy.
How many calories are in a slice of Carrot Cake without the frosting?
A slice of carrot cake without the cream cheese frosting is usually around 240 calories. However, the frosting is the best part when eaten with the cake together.
Conclusion
This classic Easter and Spring Celebrations cake can be amazingly delicious but deceptive as well. So, is carrot cake good for you? I would say no. No cakes, in a sense, are healthy as they’re full of sugar.
Cakes are usually unhealthy, but I can imagine why people might perceive carrot cake as a better option. I get it, it has vegetables! It must be good, right? Well, not really, and now you know why!
However, you can obviously do some tweaking and swapping to make it the healthier version it can be without losing all the taste!
