Lettuce is the leafy greens that’s loaded with crunch. It’s the base of most delicious salads, and it adds texture and color to any variety of sandwiches. But the nutritional value of lettuce depends on the type that’s starring in each menu. Iceberg and romaine lettuce are the most frequently used. But of the two, romaine remains the most remarkable.
Iceberg is undoubtedly the cheaper of the two, but is it the best choice? Cheaper isn’t always better. Sometimes when we want quality, we have to be willing to spend a little extra. Iceberg lettuce is basically crunch and water. It has little to no nutrients to offer our bodies.
On the other hand, while romaine lettuce cost a little more than its counterpart, it’s brimming with nutrients. An article in the “In Good Health” Rochester newspaper states, 2 cups of romaine lettuce have over 100 percent of our daily needs of vitamin A and K. Vitamin A helps to keep our immune systems healthy, it’s needed for bone growth and tooth development, and it’s known to promote good vision. Vitamin K is one of the key ingredients in maintaining strong bones and it helps with the clotting of blood. Romaine lettuce also has folic acid and fiber that our bodies need for peak performance.
While both iceberg and romaine lettuce are low in calories and has high water contents to keep us hydrated, iceberg lettuce doesn’t offer much more. Its light green leaves prove this, since the darker the leaves, the higher the nutrients. Overall, dark green leaf lettuce has more protein, calcium and seven out of nine vitamins. So, before you grab the cheapest lettuce, remember, romaine remains the most remarkable.
God has blessed us with green plants for food. They’re all good for us, but we can always eat “more” of the ones that provide our bodies with the “most” nutrients. “And God said, ‘Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat… I have given every green plant for food’; and it was so.” (Genesis 1:29-30)
How do you enjoy romaine lettuce? Feel free to share a quick recipe.
Great info, thanks!
You’re more than welcome Kathie.