What about Lettuce?

The greener the better? Is that the answer?

2529145266_f9a4bc680b_oI like to eat salad and we all know that a salad is an excellent way to get the veggies in! I grew up eating iceberg lettuce and I like the crunch that comes with iceberg lettuce. For a good while now, I have been eating much more romaine lettuce, sometimes with spinach and sometimes with kale. Darker lettuces like romaine and red leaf are richer in vitamin A, beta-carotene and other nutrients than iceberg. Here is a list of nutrition facts about this lovely lettuce.

  • Packed with protein
  • Calcium
  • Omega – 3s
  • Vitamin A – More than a carrot!
  • Iron
  • B Vitamin rich
  • Water!
  • Vitamin K
  • Mineral rich

I like to buy romaine hearts so I can have that crisp, sweet taste while getting the health benefits in salads, sandwiches and wraps. I wash and dry the lettuce and lay on paper towels before storing in a plastic bag in the refrigerator crisper for up to one week. I actually keep a paper towel in the bag with the lettuce. To add extra crispness, dunk the romaine leaves in ice water for a few minutes just before serving.

Also, you can add an entire head of lettuce to a fruit smoothie and never even taste it!