Source
Vitamin K
42.4 μg · 35% DV target
A crisp, tightly-packed head of lettuce prized for its refreshing crunch and high water content, serving as a hydrating foundation for salads and sandwiches.
Iceberg lettuce is a primary dietary source of nitrates, which are natural compounds that the body converts into nitric oxide to support vascular health .4
Because of its high water content, iceberg lettuce is one of the lowest-calorie vegetables available, providing significantly less energy per serving than other common staples like potatoes or carrots .23
While often viewed as less nutrient-dense than darker greens, large prospective cohort studies have linked iceberg lettuce consumption to improved levels of cardiometabolic biomarkers (biological signs of health), including lower markers of inflammation .8
The vegetable contains a variety of protective phytochemicals (plant-defense compounds), including vitamin B9, carotenoids, and polyphenols, which function as antioxidants .1
Petal shape shows the nine FoodCompass domains, including nutrient density, processing, satiety, fats, and phytochemicals.
42.4 μg · 35% DV target
52.7 μg · 13% DV target
Keep in a perforated bag to maintain humidity without trapping excess moisture.
Low GHG emissions per kg, though water intensity can be high in arid regions.
Iceberg lettuce earned its name in the 1920s because it was transported across the United States in train cars covered with massive piles of crushed ice to keep it fresh .