“With the high water content, iceberg lettuce isn't as rich in [nutrients] as other types of lettuce,” Feller explains. The sky-high levels of H20, mean there's just not as much room for other good stuff, like vitamins, minerals, and fiber, making iceberg lettuce nutrition less impressive.
Iceberg Lettuce Is Low in Calories (and Nutrients)
Iceberg lettuce may be the most popular of all the salad greens, but it's definitely not the healthiest base you can choose. While the low calorie count is comparable to other greens, the nutrient totals are not, according to the USDA.
Consuming lettuce in excess can cause many side effects. These are mydriasis (dilation of the pupil), photophobia (inability to look at bright light), dizziness, heart and breathing difficulty, excessive sweating, hallucinations, and induced sleep.
Romaine. Romaine ranked among the top 10 "powerhouse foods," by the CDC, which are classified based on their associations with reduced risk for chronic diseases. It's an especially great source of vitamin A — one cup has 81% of your daily intake — as well as some B vitamins.
Uncooked leafy greens, like romaine lettuce, could potentially be contaminated by bacteria, such as E. coli and Salmonella. These harmful bacteria can stick to the surface of the leaves or get inside the lettuce.
Children younger than 5 years. People who have health problems or take medicines that lower the body's ability to fight germs and sickness (a weakened immune system) Pregnant people.
Like all lettuces, Iceberg is absolutely a good-for-you choice. It's low in calories, cholesterol-free and extremely low in sodium—it provides important vitamins and minerals that support our overall health.
Worst: Iceberg Wedge Salad
It also falls short in the nutrition department. That's because iceberg lettuce contains fewer vitamins and minerals than most dark leafy greens.
People can use raw spinach as a lettuce alternative, and it has a much better nutritional profile. In comparison with iceberg lettuce, it has the following amounts of nutrients: 469 mcg of vitamin A (19 times as much as iceberg lettuce) 79 mg of magnesium (11 times as much)
Leafy greens will benefit your body no matter if you eat them as raw or cooked vegetables. However, you absorb the abundant minerals such as calcium, iron, and beta carotene in spinach better when it's a cooked vegetable.
Leafy greens (mixed greens, romaine lettuce, spinach, kale, etc.) are probably the most nutrient-packed foods you can eat. They are high in vitamin A, C, and K, all of which have anti-inflammatory properties. Anti-inflammatory leafy greens do not include iceberg lettuce, which has very little nutritional value.
Some patients complain that eating lettuce gives them gas and abdominal distention; however, there is no evidence in support of this assertion.
Kidney-friendly foods
These include: Fruit: apples, cranberries, grapes, pineapple, and strawberries. Vegetables: cauliflower, lettuce, onions, peppers, and radishes.
Nutritionally speaking, romaine is deemed superior to iceberg. Romaine is packed with nutrients, including vitamins A and C, and good amounts of folic acid and magnesium. The darker green leafy parts provide more nutritional value than the white crunchy centers, but all of it provides fiber in a healthy diet.
Both cabbage and iceberg lettuce are good sources of nutrients. However, cabbage contains significantly more vitamins and minerals than iceberg lettuce, including vitamins C and K, folate, and potassium ( 1 , 2 ). In particular, green cabbage is packed with antioxidants, including polyphenol compounds and vitamin C.
The best greens for your guts include kale, spinach, beet greens, mustard greens, dark green leaf lettuce and Romaine lettuce. You can consume them as salads, or opt for the good old' way of steaming or sautéing.
1. Spinach. This leafy green tops the chart as one of the most nutrient-dense vegetables. That's because 1 cup (30 grams) of raw spinach provides 16% of the Daily Value (DV) for vitamin A plus 120% of the DV for vitamin K — all for just 7 calories ( 1 ).
Worst Veggie: Starchy Vegetables
Corn, peas, potatoes, pumpkin, squash, and yams are starchy vegetables. However, not all starch vegetables offer the same nutritional benefits.
Whether you're using romaine lettuce, butter lettuce, or iceberg lettuce, greens will taste and look better if you wash and dry them properly. Washing lettuce also helps to prevent the leaves from wilting prematurely.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Vegetables that belong to the cabbage family such as cauliflower, Brussels, broccoli, and sprouts should never be consumed raw. These vegetables contain sugar that is difficult to digest.
There are many other variations of dark leafies, including collard greens, kale and even romaine. These plant foods are great sources of folate and a host of vitamins and minerals. They also provide a punch of fiber that help clear your colon.
The potassium in iceberg lettuce is low, making it great for a kidney diet. It also has a higher water content than other types of lettuces which can be a refreshing choice on a summer day.
Lettuce is a low FODMAP vegetable that's also very low in fiber. As such, it's unlikely to trigger or worsen your IBS symptoms. In fact, it may even ease your symptoms due to its low FODMAP content.