Carrot cake, a popular dessert enjoyed worldwide, combines the sweetness of cake with the earthy flavor of carrots. While delicious, it's important to understand its nutritional content. This article delves into the nutritional facts of carrot cake, providing a comprehensive overview for health-conscious consumers.
Calorie and Macronutrient Breakdown
Carrot cake is relatively high in calories due to its ingredients like sugar, oil, and cream cheese frosting. A 92g serving of carrot cake contains approximately 440 calories. A 75g slice of Freshness Guaranteed carrot cake contains 300 calories.
The macronutrient breakdown varies slightly depending on the recipe and serving size. For a 92g serving, it generally consists of:
- Fat: 26g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 49g
For 1 slice (75g) of Freshness Guaranteed carrot cake:
- Fats: 16g
- Carbs: 37g
- Protein: 2g
Fat Content
Carrot cake contains a significant amount of fat, primarily from soybean oil, vegetable shortening, margarine, and cream cheese. A 92g serving contains 26g of fat, including 7g of saturated fat. A 75g slice of Freshness Guaranteed carrot cake contains 16g of fat, including 5g of saturated fat.
Read also: Deep Dive into Skincare Formulation
It's important to be mindful of saturated fat intake, as it can raise total cholesterol and LDL (low-density lipoprotein) levels, potentially increasing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Carbohydrate and Sugar Content
Carrot cake is high in carbohydrates, with 49g per 92g serving. A 75g slice of Freshness Guaranteed carrot cake contains 37g of carbs. A significant portion of these carbohydrates comes from sugar, with 35g per 92g serving and 27g per 75g slice of Freshness Guaranteed carrot cake. The sugar content is derived from ingredients like sugar, invert sugar, and high fructose corn syrup. While it does contain some dietary fiber (1g per 92g serving), the high sugar content should be considered.
Vitamins and Minerals
Carrot cake is not a significant source of most vitamins. A 92g serving contains 0.0 mg of vitamin C, 0.72 mg of iron, and 20.24 mg of calcium. A 75g slice of Freshness Guaranteed carrot cake contains 30mg of calcium and 1mg of iron. It also provides small amounts of potassium (70mg per 75g slice).
Cholesterol and Sodium
A 92g serving of carrot cake contains 45mg of cholesterol, while a 75g slice of Freshness Guaranteed carrot cake contains 20mg. The sodium content is also worth noting, with a 75g slice of Freshness Guaranteed carrot cake containing 250mg of sodium.
Ingredients
The ingredients in carrot cake vary depending on the recipe, but common ingredients include:
Read also: Crispy Carrot Fries (Keto)
- Sugar
- Enriched bleached wheat flour (flour, niacin, reduced iron, thiamine mononitrate, riboflavin, folic acid)
- Carrots
- Soybean oil
- Eggs
- Crushed pineapple
- Cream cheese (milk, cream, cheese culture, salt, carob bean gum)
- Vegetable shortening (palm and soybean oils, mono and diglycerides, polysorbate 60, tbhq)
- Margarine (palm oil, water, soybean oil, salt, mono and diglycerides, artificial flavor, annatto extract, calcium disodium edta, vitamin a palmitate)
- Invert sugar
- Leavening (baking soda, sodium acid pyrophosphate, monocalcium phosphate)
- Modified cornstarch
- Cinnamon
- Salt
- Natural and artificial flavor
- Soy lecithin
- High fructose corn syrup
- Artificial colors (yellow 6, yellow 5, blue 1)
Considerations
- Daily Values: The % Daily Value (DV) indicates how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet.
- Individual Needs: Actual daily nutrient requirements vary based on age, gender, activity level, and medical history.
- Dietary Cholesterol: Dietary cholesterol is not generally associated with increased heart disease risk in healthy individuals.
- Consult a Professional: The information provided here is for informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Consult with a physician or registered dietitian before making any dietary changes.
Carrot Cake Variations
The nutritional content of carrot cake can vary depending on the specific recipe and ingredients used. For example, carrot cake with cream cheese frosting by TARGET contains a slightly different nutritional profile compared to other varieties.
Read also: Health Benefits: Carrot & Lime