Carrot Juice or Light Pita: Which Packs More Calories?

Can a glass of carrot juice really contain more calories than a light pita sandwich? Apparently, it can. Dr. Maya Rozman mentioned on her radio show that, according to a coffee shop chain’s nutrition data, a serving of carrot juice contains more than six teaspoons of sugar.

“I have a juicer at home, and I need over half a kilogram of carrots to make one medium glass of carrot juice,” Rozman explained. “All the non-caloric fiber in the carrots remains in the machine. The juice mainly contains the natural sugars found in carrots, along with a large amount of vitamin A. A small glass of carrot juice contains about two and a half teaspoons of sugar, while a large glass has more than six teaspoons.”

Rozman added that, according to the chain’s nutritional tables, a serving of carrot juice contains around 170 calories—more than a light pita sandwich with a slice of yellow cheese and vegetables. “And which one is more filling?” she asked listeners, noting that a glass of carrot juice can even contain more calories than a large café latte. “The conclusion,” she said, “is that carrot juice is not a ‘free’ vegetable when dieting. It needs to be counted like any other snack.”

At the same time, Rozman pointed out one advantage of carrot juice over fresh carrots: it allows the body to absorb vitamins more easily. “When you eat a whole carrot, some of the fiber isn’t digested and passes through the body, which means some of the nutrients are lost. With juice, vitamin absorption is more efficient,” she explained.

The information in this article is not intended as a substitute for personalized advice from a qualified professional and should not be relied upon as such. Any actions taken based on this content are the sole responsibility of the reader.