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Iceberg Lettuce

A salad staple, iceberg lettuce goes well with red onions and tomatoes.

Iceberg lettuce is actually a variety of crisphead lettuce (the other type of head lettuce is butterhead). It comes in round, tightly packed heads with large, pale leaves that can be fairly succulent, though bland in flavor.

Varieties

Other varieties of crisphead lettuce include Great Lakes, Imperial, Vanguard, and Western.

Buying and storing tips

Iceberg lettuce can be found in the produce section of most health food stores and supermarkets. Look for firm, heavy heads with fresh leaves and no sign of browning or wilting. Store iceberg lettuce in a plastic bag in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Availability

Iceberg lettuce is available all year long and is at its peak from June through December.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Wash iceberg lettuce just before using. Cut the heads into wedges and serve with low-fat blue cheese dressing, thinly sliced red onions, and diced tomatoes.

Nutritional Highlights

Iceberg lettuce (raw, shredded), 1 cup (56g)
Calories: 6.6
Protein: 0.55g
Carbohydrate: 1.15g
Total Fat: 0.104g
Fiber: 0.77g

Health benefits and concerns

Cancer

Foods high in vitamin K such as vegetables typically are associated with low cancer risk. Despite the fact that the anti-vitamin K drug warfarin might reduce the risk of cancer under certain circumstances, no evidence suggests that avoidance of vitamin K (from food or from supplements) would in any way help protect against cancer.

Health benefits and concerns for vegetables
Many health benefits and concerns associated with this food are applicable to other vegetables. Read about health benefits and concerns for vegetables for a full description.