Do you know the difference between head lettuce and iceberg lettuce? Many people think they’re the same thing, but there is a big difference!
Head lettuce has a lot more flavor than iceberg lettuce, and it’s a lot healthier for you. And the head lettuce is a leafy green from the heads or upper leaves to its stalk.
It’s typically less processed than other types, meaning no bleached white flour is mixed into it and more nutrients for you!
Please keep reading to find out why head lettuce is better for you and how to incorporate it into your diet.
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Head Lettuce And Iceberg Lettuce
Both are lettuces, and they are used as the main ingredient in salads or other dishes. Head lettuce has its origins in Europe and Asia, whereas iceberg lettuce originated from the Mediterranean region.
They have a lot of similarities, such as their color, texture, and taste. However, there are some differences between these two types of lettuce that may make you prefer one over another.
1. Head lettuce is more nutritious than iceberg lettuce
Lettuce is one of the healthiest vegetables you can eat, but not all types are created equal.
Head lettuce has many nutrients that are good for you, including fiber, folate, beta-carotene, and vitamin C. Magic! And it has no fat or cholesterol, so you can feel completely guilt-free when enjoying it.
Iceberg lettuce is also perfect for you, but it’s not even in the same ballpark as head lettuce when it comes to nutritional benefits.
2. Head Lettuce Tastes Better Than Iceberg Lettuce
Head lettuce is the superior choice when it comes to salad greens.
It has a more flavorful taste and lasts longer in your fridge than its counterpart, Iceberg Lettuce! With 50% more calcium content compared with head leafy veggies like cabbages or chicories that grow well together on them too, so you can enjoy their benefits all year round without having any bland, repetitive dishes refreshing themselves every few days–you’ll thank me later for this one!!
3. Head Lettuce Is Grown In The Ground, Iceberg Lettuce Is Grown In Water
Head lettuce grows in the ground like all other vegetables, while iceberg lettuce is hydroponically grown—that means it’s grown without soil! Ick!
This kind of farming uses more water than regular old farming, so iceberg lettuce isn’t great for the environment.
Plus, this type of hydroponic farming leads to disease and bacteria. You can avoid all that by swapping out iceberg lettuce for head lettuce.
4. Head lettuce has a longer shelf life than iceberg lettuce
I know I wouldn’t want to eat something that sat in a warehouse for a year before I bought it at the grocery store!
Iceberg lettuce tends to wilt and get discolored quickly, but head lettuce can last for up to two weeks without fading or turning brown.
It’s also less likely to have microorganisms that could make you sick, so it’s always better to eat something that lasts longer.
5. Eating head lettuce is better than eating iceberg lettuce
That’s just a scientific fact! If I had to choose between the two right now, I would pick head lettuce over iceberg.
Iceberg doesn’t give me anything extra – it’s watery and flavorless and not a very nutritious vegetable.
There’s no way I could convince myself that it was good for me! So the next time you want to eat a healthy salad or sandwich, choose head lettuce instead of iceberg.
You can also mix them, but make sure you have more head lettuce than iceberg because it’s much better for you!
Recipes
One of the easiest and most delicious ways to eat your vegetables is by incorporating them into a salad.
Head lettuce is an excellent base for any salad, and it’s delicious when paired with some crunchy ingredients like carrots, celery, or bell peppers.
Here are some of our favorite recipes that use head lettuce:
Balsamic Vinaigrette Grape Salad
Balsamic Vinaigrette Grape Salad from Andrea Meyers is a great Italian dish that uses head lettuce as a bed for fresh fruit and veggies.
With grapes, sliced almonds, cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion, this salad offers a nice variety of flavors and textures. If you’re looking to reduce the calories in this recipe, eliminate the chopped red onion.
The Greek Salad
The Greek Salad from No Recipes is a delicious dish that uniquely uses head lettuce: as a bed for hard-boiled eggs and kalamata olives! It also pairs the salad with feta cheese, tomatoes, and cucumbers.
If you’re not a fan of cooked vegetables, try using canned artichoke hearts instead of hard-boiled eggs.
Guacamole Salad
Guacamole Salad from The Cozy Apron offers a much healthier spin on traditional guacamole by keeping the avocado intact!
The salad includes radishes, red onion, tomatoes, jalapeno pepper, cilantro, and head lettuce as a base.
If you’re not feeling up to chopping all those vegetables, try serving the guacamole on a bed of leafy greens or shredded cabbage!
Head lettuce is an excellent source of vitamin A and K, as well as folate and manganese.
Conclusion
Head lettuce is the healthier choice, and it has a lot more flavor than iceberg. If you’re looking for recipes that use the head, we have some great ideas on our blog to help get you started.
Check out these delicious salads or this easy-to-prepareBalsamic Vinaigrette Grape Salad from Andrea Meyers recipe today.
Getting creative with your food can be fun when cooking at home becomes challenging because one ingredient might not fit into multiple dishes anymore (I’m talking about veggies here).
Ok, so why stick solely using what’s stocked in store-bought packages? Experimenting by creating new combinations allows us to use all sorts off-flavors and share these head lettuce recipes with your friends!
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