baby carrots

New Ads Highlight Nutritional Benefits of Potatoes
Poll

Do Ads For Veggies Make You Want to Buy Them?

Avocados have starred on The Biggest Loser, baby carrots got a junk food-esque makeover, and now, potatoes may be the next vegetable to be in the spotlight.
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Avocados have starred on The Biggest Loser, baby carrots got a junk food-esque makeover, and now, potatoes may be the next vegetable to be in the spotlight.

Following the news that all forms of potatoes play a big role in weight gain, the Idaho Potato Association wants to let us know that there are, in fact, benefits to eating the tuber. New commercials will start airing soon to let us know the role potatoes play in heart health. In fact, potatoes contain high amounts of potassium, which studies have shown may help lower blood pressure and is essential for regulating heart beat.

Are you ever swayed by marketing messages about the benefits of vegetables, or do you arm yourself with nutrition information another way?

Baby Carrots Marketing Campaign
Love It or Hate It

Baby Carrots: Love 'Em or Hate 'Em?

The baby carrot marketing blitz we showed you last year is accomplishing what it set out to do — giving bite-sized veggies a junk food makeover.
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The baby carrot marketing blitz we showed you last year is accomplishing what it set out to do — giving bite-sized veggies a junk food makeover. A recent Fast Company article digs into this new campaign, which has taken cues from companies like Doritos and Coca-Cola to rebrand baby carrots as a cool, snackable alternative to both traditional carrots and unhealthy salty and sweet options. Using clever commercials, social media, chips-like packaging, and out-of-the-box strategies like baby carrot vending machines at schools, these lil guys are making a comeback.

But what do you think about baby carrots? Some find them overrated, but I think they are super convenient for a healthy, midafternoon snack, especially since they don't require the standard fresh fruit and vegetable prep.

And I have to say it's a lot better to be absentmindedly munching on baby carrots at my desk than, say, gummy bears. What do you think?

Source

Hilarious New Baby Carrots Marketing Campaign Videos
News

New Campaign Gives Carrot Babies an Extreme Makeover

When I learned baby carrots were kicking off a $25 million marketing marketing makeover, I couldn't help but scratch my head.
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When I learned baby carrots were kicking off a $25 million marketing marketing makeover, I couldn't help but scratch my head. Really? What could possibly make these dried-out packets of "nature's candy" plane snacks hip, ever?

But when I saw the campaign's new website and SNL short-esque commercials, they made my morning. I've decided that, even though I maintain baby carrots taste overrated, I stand corrected: they are on the cutting edge of avant-garde. Check out my favorite commercial when you read more.

Preview of Gourmet's Quick Kitchen Magazine and Other Food Fun From the Web
Link Time

Yummy Links: From Baby Carrots to Cocaine Cocktails

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Most Overrated Foods
baby carrots

Let's Dish: What Foods Are Overrated?

Recently, our Sugar intern Victoria and I were chatting about ingredients that are, in our humble opinions, overrated.
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Recently, our Sugar intern Victoria and I were chatting about ingredients that are, in our humble opinions, overrated. "What's up with baby carrots?" she asked, "they're always dried out or too soggy." I have to agree — baby carrots are definitely overhyped — especially since they're not true baby carrots, but rather ordinary root vegetables abraded down to a miniature size. I told her that I also think sweetbreads and squash blossoms are overrated. Yes, these gorgeous buds are enticing when they're stuffed, battered, and deep-fried, but what wouldn't be? They have little flavor of their own and are popular more so out of novelty than anything else.

What foods don't live up to their reputation?

Quick Pickled Spring Vegetables Recipe
Spring

Spring Into the Season With Marinated Baby Vegetables

I'm not much of a Winter farmers market girl, so I knew Spring was finally here when, for the first time this year, I stopped by the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market last weekend.
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I'm not much of a Winter farmers market girl, so I knew Spring was finally here when, for the first time this year, I stopped by the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market last weekend. There, I was enraptured by everything from raw olives to baby carrots. I couldn't help but buy a cornucopia of colorful Spring produce.

With my bounty, I made quick and simple vegetables marinated in Champagne vinegar and olive oil. I enjoyed them on their own and later discovered the slightly pickled vegetables are a great garnish in many other meals — the pattypan squash in a watercress and watermelon radish salad, and the carrots in a homemade burrito. Make this with whatever seasonal vegetables you've got on hand. For the recipe, read more.

Aww, Look at the Cute Baby Carrots
Food

Aww, Look at the Cute Baby Carrots

Baby carrots — they're a cute idea.
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Baby carrots — they're a cute idea. Who could pass up a baby anything? But are they really baby carrots? Are they as healthy as "grown-up" carrots?

I hate to break it to you, but those ready-to-eat baby carrots are a bit of a scam. Fifteen years ago, the carrot industry was looking for a way to get people excited about carrots. They’re simply fully grown carrots, cut into 2-inch sections and peeled — by a machine that grates off their outer layer and rounds the ends. They were initially created as a way to salvage misshapen and broken carrots so they wouldn’t have to be thrown out.

Some companies call them "baby cut" or "mini" carrots to distinguish them from actual baby carrots that are also sold. Those baby cut carrots are just as healthy because they are essentially regular-sized carrots that are just cut into smaller pieces.

Fit's Tips: To keep your baby cut carrots from getting that all too familiar slimy mold, buy them in smaller bags.