Carrots are the second most widely consumed root vegetable in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Although potatoes may be the perennial favorite, carrots still have a lot to offer. These sweet, earthy vegetables are low in calories, a good source of fiber and incredibly versatile.

Drinking carrot juice may improve your vision, fight certain cancers and provide your body with essential nutrients including vitamins A and C. However, drinking too much carrot juice may turn your skin orange, raise your blood sugar and interfere with certain medications.

Bad bowel movements mean one of two things: diarrhea or constipation. Diarrhea consists of sometimes-uncontrollable loose stools. Constipation occurs when food packs up in your colon and won't move easily. High-fiber vegetables such as carrots may help your bowel movements in both cases.

Freezing shredded carrots works best with young, fresh carrots. By properly preparing them, shredded carrots keep up to a year in the freezer without considerable changes in taste. The key to freezing shredded carrots, as with most fresh vegetables, is blanching them first.

The sweet, glazed carrot side dish often served in Japanese restaurants couldn't be easier to recreate at home with only a handful of pantry staples.

Carrots are low in calories, and are a great source of vitamins and fiber. Some diets feature carrots as the main food source, and may promise quick weight loss and other health benefits. While carrots should be included in a healthy eating plan, too many carrots in your diet can have unpleasant consequences.

Nutrient-rich carrots contain folic acid, potassium, magnesium and calcium, but their store of beta-carotene makes them a particularly excellent source of vitamin A. These root vegetables benefit eyes and skin, and they also aid in growth and the body's ability to fight infection.

Although carrots are chock full of nutrients, including beta-carotene, potassium and vitamins A and C, kids often turn their nose up at the bright orange vegetables. Often, cooking carrots with ingredients such as cheese or adding a bit of sweetness from honey or brown sugar make carrots more palatable to kids.

Baby carrots are a popular snack for children and adults alike. There are two types of baby carrots -- those that are grown and those that are manufactured. Naturally grown baby carrots are regular carrots harvested before they reach full size or a variety of smaller carrots, such as Thumbelina.

Slow cookers let you prepare your meal hours in advance, so you can come home to a savory cooked meal. Baby carrots are a tasty traditional accompaniment to a tender succulent roast, and you can cook both in your slow cooker. For an average 3-lb.

Although bodybuilding success depends largely on the quality of your workouts, the quality of your diet has a significant influence on your results as well. During a bulking, or mass-building, phase, you can be a bit looser with your diet, as the aim is to establish a calorie surplus.

Carrots are an excellent source of vitamin A, in the form of beta-carotene, an antioxidant important for the health of your eyesight and skin. Beta-carotene may also provide protection against heart disease and some cancers, according to the University of Illinois Extension.