I’m a Dietitian and I Only Buy Iceberg Lettuce

Lettuce is a nutritious staple in lots of balanced diets, including a pleasant crunch and contemporary taste to meals. Since I’m a dietitian, it’s no shock to my associates that I like incorporating lettuce into my meals. I usually add it to my sandwiches. And, naturally, it’s a go-to in my salads.

When it involves my lettuce of selection, it usually looks like folks half-expect me to swoop down on a deep inexperienced pile of kale. It is smart. Generally talking, darker-colored leafy greens do harbor extra vitamins than their lighter-leaved counterparts. With greater than a dozen varieties of lettuce to select from, choosing one of the best one isn’t precisely simple!

But, to the wide-eyed disbelief of my associates and purchasers, I’m not all the time rolling with the colourful heavyweights. I’ll admit it—I’m a dietitian who solely buys iceberg lettuce. And this is why.

Why Iceberg Lettuce Is My Go-To Lettuce

As far as I’m involved, lettuce is all concerning the crunch and style. Sure, I may in all probability get extra dietary bang for my greenback with a darker head of romaine or a bunch of spinach. However, once I genuinely benefit from the style and texture of one thing, I’m much more inclined to eat it often. 

Iceberg lettuce has that good crispness that takes my salads to the following degree. Plus, it’s simply plain satisfying to eat! You know the way it goes—you purchase a bag of lettuce, and earlier than you realize it, it’s gone unhealthy. That by no means occurs to me with iceberg, because it’s a constant staple in my meals. And who cares how nutritious a meals is should you aren’t blissful to eat it?

But there’s extra to my love for iceberg lettuce than simply the crunch. It’s additionally a implausible base for different nutrient-dense substances like chickpeas, grilled hen and artichoke hearts. That makes it simple to whip up a nutrient-dense meal sans a spring combine. Plus, its gentle taste makes it the right accomplice for a wide range of toppings, permitting me to get pleasure from an array of tastes and textures. And there are countless ways to use it. This versatility retains my meals balanced, nutritious and thrilling.

What Is Iceberg Lettuce?

Globe-like iceberg lettuce is distinctive for its tightly packed leaves and pale inexperienced coloration. Yet, this crispy inexperienced underdog of the salad world usually will get a foul rap for being much less nutritious than its darker-hued members of the family. 

Sure, it might not boast the over-the-top vitamin of, say, kale or spinach. But iceberg is aware of methods to preserve issues refreshingly easy. Its mellow style and crunch play properly with practically any dish, serving to different flavors shine when added to salads, sandwiches, wraps, juices and extra. And who can deny that it’s one of the best lettuce to high a classic hamburger?

Iceberg Lettuce Nutrition

And though iceberg isn’t generally known as a dietary powerhouse, it’s not completely devoid of vitamins both. This veggie gives fiber, antioxidants, immune-supporting vitamin A and vitamin K for sturdy bones—all in a low-calorie and fat-free package deal. Considering that the majority of us don’t come near consuming the really helpful three cups of vegetables per day, I depend including any veggie to my plate a win.

The Bottom Line

Iceberg lettuce deserves far more recognition than it usually receives. While it won’t be probably the most nutritionally packed lettuce on the market, its simplicity, affordability and contemporary, crunchy texture make it worthy of a spot in your plate. And for folks—like me—who aren’t lovers of the extra earthy flavors of darker greens, iceberg lettuce gives a refreshingly crisp different. Plus, its gentle style enhances a wide range of dishes, permitting the opposite flavors to shine. So, let’s give iceberg lettuce the massive, crunchy hug it deserves. In my ebook, it’s probably the most gratifying lettuce of the bunch!