Iceberg lettuce is one of the most hated greens, so we've got to get to the bottom of its nutritional values to determine if it's actually less healthy than other greens or not. It's a unique lettuce because of its rich crunch when you eat it. Plus, like the human body, it's mostly composed of water (via Healthline), meaning it can't be bad for you, right?
Iceberg lettuce is light in color, and examining the color of lettuces is actually the trick to recognizing the denseness of their nutrients. According to EatingWell, dark lettuces, like romaine and arugula, have higher amounts of nutrients in them than iceberg lettuce, but the latter still has its fair share of goodness. In a one cup serving of iceberg lettuce, you receive 10 milligrams of calcium, 80 milligrams of potassium, 1 gram of fiber, and 286 international units of vitamin A. Plus, you only get nine calories, zero grams of fat, and two grams of carbohydrates from this serving size.
Fiber and potassium alone are excellent reasons to eat iceberg lettuce, and the fact that it's low in fat, sodium, and carbs makes it a healthy addition to any meal you're making. Just make sure you purchase heads of iceberg lettuce that don't have loose leaves, and always use iceberg within a few days of purchasing it for optimal crunch, flavor, and nutrient yield (via Healthline).
What's the ultimate conclusion, though? Well, it's not as dense as other greens, but iceberg lettuce is good for you — and you're not committing some unspoken sin by eating it instead of kale.
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