These Types of Lettuce Are Healthier Than Iceberg
By Paul Rothbart
The most common type of lettuce used by many people is iceberg. It's less expensive than other kinds, it tastes pretty good, and it has a nice crispness when it's fresh. It's used as the base of salads and on sandwiches and burgers. Most fast food joints use iceberg and there's no surprise there. It's not bad for you, just much lower in nutrition than other lettuces. A serving of iceberg lettuce contains 7 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A and 3 percent of the recommended Vitamin C. That's not much and there are far better options.
Romaine
Romaine lettuce is texturally similar to iceberg and has a good taste. For nutritional content, it buries iceberg. In fact, the CDC ranks romaine as one of its top 10 powerhouse foods, so chosen for its ability to help prevent chronic diseases. A single cup of romaine lettuce contains a whopping 81 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin A. It also contains several of the B vitamins.
Butter Lettuce
Softer in texture than iceberg, butter lettuce, also known as Bibb or Boston lettuce, is tasty and works well in salads and on sandwiches. It is one of the most nutritious types of lettuce there is, making it an outstanding choice to add to a meal. Butter lettuce is loaded with iron, potassium, and folate, all essential minerals for good health.
Kale
It's not a lettuce but kale is a green and a very healthy substitute. It contains plenty of Vitamins A and C. It also has antioxidants which help the body fight free radicals that can cause chronic disease. Kale also has large amounts of Vitamin K which helps blood to clot.
Spinach
Spinach is also not a lettuce but it makes a great salad and is one of the healthiest greens you can eat. It contains many vitamins and minerals. It is particularly rich in potassium and iron. Both of these help produce red blood cells and regulate blood pressure. Eating spinach is excellent for your health.
Chard
Chard is a red-stemmed, leafy green that is incredibly nutritious. A single-cup serving contains 300 percent of the recommended daily allowance of Vitamin K. It also contains magnesium which is important for blood sugar regulation, as well as nerve and muscle function.
Lettuce is a vegetable and as such, is a healthy food. Iceberg is the one most commonly used, but there are many other choices of greens that provide far more nutrition. Give one of these substitutes a try. You may find you like it better and it will definitely improve your health.
To learn more about your health, wellness and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Des Peres, Mo.