---
title: "Is it true that I shouldn’t eat carrots because they are high in sugar? | Sutter Health"
description: "Is it true that I shouldn’t eat carrots because they are high in sugar?"
url: "/ask-an-expert/answers/is-it-true-that-i-shouldn-t-eat-carrots-because-they-are-high-in-sugar-1051061540"
---

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2.  Is it true that I shouldn’t eat carrots because they are high in sugar?

# Is it true that I shouldn’t eat carrots because they are high in sugar?

* * *

Medically reviewed by

-   Ruth A. Spirakis, R.D., M.S., CDCES

## Question

Is it true that I shouldn’t eat carrots because they are high in sugar?

## Answer

No. It’s a misconception that carrots are high in sugar. A medium raw carrot contains only 5.8 grams of carbohydrate. Like othernon-starchyvegetables, carrots are a good addition to a healthy diet for someone with diabetes. Enjoy a wide variety of non-starchy root vegetables such as parsnips, beets, turnips, rutabagas and carrots.

Take care to count the starchy types like you would bread, rice or other grains. Examples ofstarchyvegetables are corn, yams, potatoes, yucca, taro, cooked dried beans, peas, lentils.After cooking, one half cup of one of these choices is about 15 grams of carbohydrate and the fiber varies.

To highlight the carbohydrates in 2 common foods: a cup of raw carrots contains 9 grams of carbohydrate but a cup of white or brown rice contains 45 grams of carbohydrate.

## Explore related topics

Diabetes

## Meet our care team

Ruth A. Spirakis, R.D., M.S., CDCES

Dietitian/Nutritionist Diabetes Educator

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