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Danielle Pilarinos

Raw French Carrot Salad

Let me tell you, this Raw French Carrot SaladĀ is a regular at my house. Why? Because itā€™s soĀ easy to make, and so good for you! Iā€™m all about finding simple ways to get more veggies into my day, and this one hits the spot every time. Itā€™s delicious, nourishing and requires just a handful of basic ingredients.


The Nutritional Power of Carrots

A photograph of fresh carrots at a farmer's market.

Carrots are nutrition superstars. Theyā€™re packed with vitamin AĀ for glowing skin and healthy eyes, vitamin KĀ for strong bones, fiberĀ for good digestion, and they're rich in powerful antioxidantsĀ like beta-carotene, lutein, lycopene, and polyacetylenes, that can reduce your risk of cancer. My insider trick: pairing carrots with healthy fat, like olive oil, helps your body absorb even more antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins A and K (1). Itā€™s a delicious way to get the most out of your food.


I like balancing raw and cooked veggies in my diet. Raw carrotsĀ are loaded with fiber and vitamin C, while cooking carrots unlocks even more of their nutrients, like beta-carotene and lycopene (2). So yeah, thereā€™s no need to chooseā€”enjoy them both!




Organic Carrots: Healthy and Affordable? Yes, Please!

You might think eating organic is expensive, but carrots bust that myth. You can grab a bag of organic carrots for around $1 a pound, making them an easy win for your wallet andĀ health. And don't get duped into spending more on baby carrots; theyā€™re just regular carrots shaved down to size. So, grab a bag of old-school Bugs Bunny carrots and get grating.


The Raw Carrot Salad Trend (Yep, Iā€™ve Seen It Too)

Letā€™s talk about the raw carrot salad trend for a sec. If youā€™ve been scrolling on social, you mightā€™ve seen people claiming that raw carrots can help balance hormones and detox excess estrogen. While itā€™s true that fiber-rich foods (like carrots!) are great for overall health and hormone balance, thereā€™s no magic in the carrot itself. The real hero here is a fiber-filled, plant-forward dietĀ full of fruits and veggies, which can help lower estrogen levels and support hormone health. (3) But hey, if a raw carrot salad helps you get those benefits, Iā€™m all for it.


This Raw French Carrot Salad is proof that healthy eating doesnā€™t have to be complicated or expensive. Just a few ingredients and boomā€”youā€™ve got a delicious, nutrient-packed dish perfect for any meal. Whether youā€™re meal-prepping or just looking for a quick snack, this raw carrot salad is a winner!


A plate with a grated raw carrot salad with chopped parsley.

Raw French Carrot Salad Recipe


Ingredients

  • 1 pound carrots, peeled

  • 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil

  • 1-2 teaspoons honey (I like to taste as I go)

  • Ā¼ teaspoon salt

  • Ā¼ teaspoon pepper

  • 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley


Instructions

  1. Grate the carrots and toss them in a bowl with the parsley.

  2. In another bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, lemon juice, honey, olive oil, salt, and pepper.

  3. Pour the dressing over the carrots and parsley, and toss until everythingā€™s coated in delicious goodness.

  4. Taste and adjust the seasoning if you need to. Pop it in the fridge until youā€™re ready to serve, or just dive right in!


References

  1. Kopec RE, Cooperstone JL, Schweiggert RM, Young GS, Harrison EH, Francis DM, Clinton SK, Schwartz SJ. Avocado consumption enhances human postprandial provitamin A absorption and conversion from a novel high-Ī²-carotene tomato sauce and from carrots. J Nutr. 2014 Aug;144(8):1158-66. doi: 10.3945/jn.113.187674. Epub 2014 Jun 4. PMID: 24899156; PMCID: PMC4093981.

  2. Livny O, Reifen R, Levy I, Madar Z, Faulks R, Southon S, Schwartz B. Beta-carotene bioavailability from differently processed carrot meals in human ileostomy volunteers. Eur J Nutr. 2003 Dec;42(6):338-45. doi: 10.1007/s00394-003-0430-6. PMID: 14673607.

  3. D. Aune, D.S.M. Chan, D.C. Greenwood, A.R. Vieira, D.A. Navarro Rosenblatt, R. Vieira, T. Norat, Dietary fiber and breast cancer risk: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. Annals of Oncology, Volume 23, Issue 6, 2012, Pages 1394-1402,

    ISSN 0923-7534, https://doi.org/10.1093/annonc/mdr589.


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