Red Leaf Lettuce
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. Foods that are a “good
source” of a particular nutrient provide between 10 and 20% of the Recommended Daily
Value.
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.
The information presented in this website 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.
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