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Bibb Lettuce

Also indexed as: Boston Lettuce, Limestone Lettuce

Bibb lettuce leaves are soft and tender, so they require a gentle touch during washing and preparation.

Bibb, also called Boston or limestone lettuce, is considered a choice lettuce variety. The leaves are soft and buttery in texture and pale green in color, and the heads are small and round, and the leaves tend to be loosely opened, not tightly overlapping.

Varieties

Bibb lettuce is a variety of butterhead lettuce.

Buying and storing tips

Bibb lettuce can be found in the produce section of most health food stores and some supermarkets. Look for fresh, green leaves with no sign of wilting or blemishes. Store refrigerated in a plastic bag for up to three days.

Availability

Bibb lettuce is available all year long, and is at its peak from June to December.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Bibb lettuce leaves are soft and tender, so they require a gentle touch during washing and preparation. Carefully remove the core, immerse the loose leaves in cold water, drain them, and pat dry. Toss bibb lettuce leaves with halved cherry tomatoes and grated carrots, or fill individual leaves with tuna salad or hummus.

Nutritional Highlights

Bibb lettuce, 1 cup (56g) (shredded)
Calories: 7
Protein: 0.7g
Carbohydrate: 1.3g
Total Fat: 0.12g
Fiber: 0.55g
*Good source of: Folate (40mcg), and Vitamin A (533 IU)

*Foods that are an “excellent source” of a particular nutrient provide 20% or more of the Recommended Daily Value, based upon United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) guidelines. Foods that are a “good source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the USDA Recommended Daily Value. Nutritional information and daily nutritional guidelines may vary in different countries. Please consult the appropriate organization in your country for specific nutritional values and the recommended daily guidelines.

Health benefits and concerns

Cataracts

Some, but not all, studies have reported that eating more foods rich in beta-carotene or vitamin A was associated with a lower risk of cataracts. Synthetic beta-carotene supplementation has not been found to reduce the risk of cataract formation. It remains unclear whether natural beta-carotene from food or supplements would protect the eye or whether beta-carotene in food is merely a marker for other protective factors in fruits and vegetables high in beta-carotene.

High homocysteine

A controlled trial showed that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables containing folic acid, beta-carotene, and vitamin C effectively lowered homocysteine levels. Healthy people were assigned to either a diet containing a pound of fruits and vegetables per day, or to a diet containing 3 1/2 ounces (99g) of fruits and vegetables per day. After four weeks, those eating the higher amount of fruits and vegetables had an 11 percent lower homocysteine level compared to those eating the lower amount of fruits and vegetables.

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.