This heart healthy carrot and raisin salad (with pineapple) is the vibrant, old-fashioned side dish you remember, but with a heart-smart upgrade! We skip the heavy mayonnaise and use creamy, low-fat plain yogurt to create a delicious binder that keeps the fat and cholesterol low. This quick, 15-minute recipe is a fantastic choice for supporting heart health and is also naturally diabetic-friendly, thanks to the natural sweetness of carrots and pineapple. It's the perfect light, refreshing snack or side for any meal. Be sure to check out all our other healthy salad recipes for more no-cook inspiration!
The health core of this salad lies in its strategic substitution: replacing traditional mayonnaise with low-fat yogurt. This change significantly lowers the saturated fat and cholesterol content, aligning the recipe with heart-healthy dietary guidelines while maintaining a satisfying, creamy texture.
Yes, but be sure to use canned pineapple that is packed in 100% juice, not heavy syrup, to keep the added sugar content low. Drain the fruit well before adding it to the salad.
The salad will keep well, covered, in the refrigerator for 2 to 3 days. After that, the carrots may start to lose their crispness and the salad may become watery.
You can substitute the fat-free plain yogurt with an equivalent amount of plain, non-dairy yogurt, such as almond milk or coconut milk yogurt, ensuring it is unflavored and unsweetened.
The sugar is natural, and both ingredients provide fiber and nutrients. This recipe is designed to be portion-controlled (4 servings), making it suitable for diabetic and heart-healthy guidelines when consumed as part of a balanced diet.
When it’s too hot to cook or you want a light, healthy side to accompany your main course, these tasty recipes fit the bill.
These tasty recipes are sweet and satisfying, and fit easily into a diabetic or heart healthy eating plan.
Recipe yields 4 servings
In a medium bowl, combine all ingredients. Refrigerate for 2 hours, covered, stirring occasionally. Serve chilled.
This heart healthy carrot and raisin salad (with pineapple) works wonderfully as a light side dish to balance a full meal or as a healthy, fiber-rich lunch component:
If you do not have low-fat yogurt, you can use Greek yogurt (it will be thicker) or try plain, unsweetened coconut or almond yogurt for a dairy-free swap. Avoid high-fat dressings like mayonnaise or sour cream to keep the heart-healthy profile.
If you prefer less sweetness, reduce the raisins by half. You may also substitute the raisins with dried cranberries or apricots for a flavor variation,, but check the package for added sugars.
For a finer, "old-fashioned" texture, use the small grating attachment on a food processor or a box grater.
Add 1/4 cup of chopped walnuts or pecans to the mixture just before serving for an extra layer of texture. This is a classic "old-fashioned" addition.