There are many misconceptions about iceberg lettuce. Some dismiss them as a poor source of nutrition, while others call them an unlikely part of a healthy diet. Indeed, they are one of the most misunderstood greens in the world today, so much so that people cannot enjoy the benefits they provide as they prefer other greens that are equally or less likely to match the content that an iceberg lettuce has.
If you happen to be one of those curious to know more about this polarizing green and enjoy the possible nutrients that it provides, then no need to look further than the interesting tidbits we’ve listed below.
Not only will it help you understand iceberg lettuce better, but it may also add to your overall body nutrients. Let’s start!
The Iceberg Lettuce: What’s in a Name?
The term iceberg lettuce isn’t synonymous with any other form of greens, which is all for a very good reason. It used to be known as the crisphead lettuce due to its texture, mainly because it’s perishable when not kept with ice.
For that very reason, people began transporting them with icebergs. Yes, you’ve read that correctly. Back in the old days, people would ship them within the same container as icebergs to maintain their quality and prevent spoiling.
As time went on, they were called iceberg lettuce, and the name got stuck. The produce farmer Bruce Church is credited to be the source of the term, seeing that he also founded an ice company that would ship fresh produce with vegetables.
How Is It Usually Served?
For the most part, iceberg lettuce is used as an accompanying ingredient rather than the main course. This is due to their mild taste, which may not entice people to eat them. They are used as a side add-on for salads, sandwiches, and even as a wrap.
This is far from their other lettuce counterparts, wherein bitterness and different intense flavors are the main contributing factors. Iceberg lettuces can be considered a minor part of a meal, but that doesn’t mean that they have nothing to offer when it comes to nutritional content.
The Nutritional Content
Not to be outdone by other greens, they also offer various nutritional components that may boost the overall condition of our body:
- 10 milligrams calcium
- 2 grams carbohydrates
- 1 grams fiber
- 80 milligrams potassium
- 9 calories
- 0.5 grams protein
- 0 grams fat
- 286 IU vitamin A
As small as some of those nutritional content may be, they impact many of the functionalities that our organs need to accomplish regularly to maintain good health. Fiber helps with our bowel movement; vitamin A would boost our immunity, and calcium is all about giving us bone strength.
Conclusion
Iceberg lettuces are a unique type of green that seems to garner a lot of flack for its supposed lack of nutrients. However, those first impressions are entirely untrue and uninformed, given that it offers a couple of nutrients that are also vital for our body’s overall functions.
By knowing its short history, its exciting list of nutrients, and the different ways it can be served, you now likely better understand why iceberg lettuce can prove to be beneficial to your health! Have a healthy serving of iceberg lettuce now and boost your health overall.
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