Red leaf lettuce’s mild flavor and soft, colorful leaves make it a
popular addition to salads.
This leaf lettuce, one of hundreds of varieties of lettuce grown throughout the world, has
a mild, watery flavor and soft, buttery leaves tinged with red.
Varieties
Red leaf lettuce is a loose-headed type of green leaf lettuce.
Buying and storing tips
Red leaf lettuce can be found in the produce section of most health
food stores and supermarkets. Choose heads with crisp, blemish-free leaves and no signs of
browning or wilting. Wrap red-leaf lettuce in a paper towel refrigerate it in a plastic bag
for up to three days.
Availability
Red leaf lettuce is available all year long and is at its peak from
mid-winter to early spring.
Preparation, uses, and tips
Wash lettuce just before using and drain or blot with paper towel to
remove any excess moisture, or dry in a salad spinner. Toss with other salad greens, or stuff
individual leaves with hummus and them roll up for a light lunch.
Nutritional Highlights
Red leaf lettuce, 1/2 cup (28g) (raw,
shredded)
Calories: 5
Protein: 0.36g
Carbohydrate: 0.98g
Total Fat: 0.08g
Fiber: 0.53g
*Good source of: Vitamin A (532 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.
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.
Copyright © 2002 Healthnotes, Inc. All rights
reserved. www.healthnotes.com
Learn more about Healthnotes, the company.
Learn more about the authors of
Foodnotes.
The information presented in Foodnotes is for informational
purposes only and was created by a team of U.S. registered dietitians and food experts.
Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using
any supplements, making dietary changes, or before making any changes in prescribed
medications. Information expires December 2003.
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