Since baby carrots are regular carrots that have been peeled and cut down to 2-inch spears, they may seem like an effortless swap for full-sized carrots, but that’s not the case.

Baby carrots are often cut from old, low-quality carrots. Since carrots gradually lose their natural sugars the longer they’re stored, the baby kind can leave dishes tasting bland.

Moreover, baby carrots are rinsed with chlorine before packaging and spoil much faster than regular ones. They may also become slimy or develop a white film due to dehydration.