Content
- 1 What is Iceberg Lettuce?
- 2 Chemical composition of Iceberg
- 3 How many calories are in Iceberg lettuce?
- 4 What are the benefits of Iceberg lettuce for the human body?
- 5 Iceberg lettuce during pregnancy
- 6 Is it possible to have Iceberg lettuce while breastfeeding?
- 7 Is it possible to have Iceberg lettuce for pancreatitis?
- 8 Is it possible to have Iceberg lettuce for gastritis?
- 9 How to use Iceberg lettuce
- 10 Iceberg lettuce harms and contraindications
- 11 Conclusion
The benefits of Iceberg lettuce have been known to people for many years. This product is actively used by nutritionists and people seeking to reduce their weight. It contains many valuable elements that provide benefits to the body.
What is Iceberg Lettuce?
Iceberg or ice lettuce is a popular variety of lettuce, which is a rounded head of juicy leaves. Because of this appearance, it is often called cabbage, since in appearance the variety really looks like its white cabbage relative.
Iceberg lettuce leaves are clearly shown in the photo below. They are light green with jagged edges. The leaves are quite dense and crunchy. Their taste is neutral, pleasant, and the aroma is fresh. The leaves form a head of approximately 300-400 g.
Comment! Ice salad got its name because the heads were shipped from their native California to other states covered with ice. They did this so that the heads of cabbage remained strong and fresh.
Compared to similar-looking white cabbage, ice salad has a looser head and juicier leaves
Chemical composition of Iceberg
Ice salad is 96% water. It contains 1.8% carbohydrates, half the protein and only 0.1% fat. The composition contains the following valuable elements:
- vitamins – K, A, group B (thiamine, choline, riboflavin, pantothenic, nicotinic and folic acids, pyridoxine), E, ascorbic acid;
- dietary fiber (1.2%);
- manganese;
- potassium;
- magnesium;
- copper;
- phosphorus;
- sodium;
- iron;
- zinc;
- calcium;
- selenium;
- nonessential and essential amino acids, including the most useful among them - arginine, glycine, valine, leucine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, threonine;
- mono- and polyunsaturated fatty acids, including oleic, stearic, palmitic, linoleic, linolenic, Omega 3 and 6.
How many calories are in Iceberg lettuce?
It is not without reason that this variety of lettuce is considered a healthy dietary product. The calorie content of fresh Iceberg lettuce is only 14 kcal per 100 g. In this regard, it is also ahead of white cabbage. Its calorie content is twice as high.
What are the benefits of Iceberg lettuce for the human body?
The benefits of ice salad are due to its chemical composition. The use of the product attracts such properties:
- promoting the regulation of material metabolism;
- maintaining immunity;
- improvement of intestinal motility;
- strengthening the nervous system;
- relieving symptoms of fatigue;
- relief from stress, nervous disorder;
- improvement of blood composition;
- reducing the risk of blood clots;
- promoting the absorption of vitamins and minerals;
- positive effect on visual acuity, strengthening of the extraocular muscles;
- eliminating bad breath.
Ice salad also benefits people engaged in mental activity. Age does not matter in this case.
Iceberg salad is useful for women and men on a weight loss diet. The product is low in calories, but at the same time it creates volume for the finished dish and promotes saturation.
Despite all the benefits, you can’t limit your diet to just salad - the diet should be balanced, taking into account age and weight
Iceberg lettuce during pregnancy
The benefit of Iceberg lettuce for women during pregnancy is to provide the expectant mother’s body with vitamins and other valuable elements. Their combination in such a product, when used regularly, provides the following properties:
- normal growth and development of the fetus - benefits in general, for the brain, nervous system, bone formation;
- reducing the risk of early toxicosis;
- formation of placental tissue and prevention of its premature termination;
- protection against the harmful effects of free radicals;
- oxygen saturation of the organs of the woman and the fetus;
- prevention of complications during childbirth.
Is it possible to have Iceberg lettuce while breastfeeding?
Iceberg cabbage is not only not prohibited for a nursing mother, but is also beneficial. This product has a good effect on the health of the woman and child.You can include it in food from the first days after birth. Like any other product, it should be introduced into the diet gradually, starting with a minimum amount.
Is it possible to have Iceberg lettuce for pancreatitis?
Despite the benefits of ice salad, for a number of diseases it should be excluded from the diet. This also applies to acute pancreatitis. During this period, cabbage and similar products are strictly prohibited, which undoubtedly includes Iceberg lettuce. Its use can only worsen the condition.
It is permissible to return the product to the menu when a stable stage of remission occurs. The amount of ice salad consumed should be limited. Be sure to carefully monitor the body’s reaction and the slightest changes in well-being.
Is it possible to have Iceberg lettuce for gastritis?
If you have gastritis, you can eat Iceberg lettuce, but only if the disease is chronic. Freshly squeezed juice is especially beneficial during this period. The drink soothes the digestive tract and has an analgesic effect.
Due to their high juiciness, lettuce leaves are perfect for making juices, smoothies and other healthy drinks.
How to use Iceberg lettuce
Thanks to its benefits, ice salad is a welcome guest on the table of adherents of proper nutrition. The neutral taste of the leaves allows it to be combined with various products:
- various vegetables;
- bird;
- meat;
- seafood.
To obtain maximum benefits, it is recommended to consume Iceberg lettuce exclusively fresh. Just rinse it under running water.
The leaves of Iceberg lettuce are quite large and dense, so they are often used as a plate. Cold snacks or already dressed salads are laid out on them.
Iceberg lettuce has a neutral taste, so you can safely experiment with dressings without forgetting the benefits of the ingredients. Sauces often include lemon juice, oil, mustard, and vinegar (apple, balsamic). The leaves also go well with mayonnaise and yogurt-based dressings.
You can use ice salad for preparing hot dishes, but heat treatment deprives it of most of its benefits. It is acceptable to replace white cabbage with this product - it is added to borscht, cabbage rolls are made, stewed and fried. This is appropriate if you like the taste of salad more, you need to consume it faster (shelf life 1.5-2 weeks).
Like other types of lettuce, it is recommended to tear Iceberg with your hands rather than cut it. This is important so that the product releases less juice and does not lose vitamins and, accordingly, benefits. Contact with metal has a bad effect on the appearance - the leaves begin to quickly darken and wither.
Ice salad goes well with cheese and fatty cheese dressings
Iceberg lettuce harms and contraindications
An allergy to ice salad is extremely rare, but still not excluded. When you first become acquainted with such a product, the portion should be very small. In addition to individual intolerance, there are other contraindications to the use of the product:
- exacerbation of gastrointestinal diseases;
- gout;
- urolithiasis disease;
- flatulence;
- diarrhea.
Contraindications to consuming Iceberg lettuce often include children under three years of age.Although the product has many benefits, and its leaves seem tender, it may not be suitable for a child’s fragile digestive system. It is worth consulting with your pediatrician about including such greens in your diet, starting with minimal portions.
If there are no contraindications, then Iceberg lettuce can be safely consumed daily. The quantity of the product is unlimited, but the diet should not be based only on it.
Conclusion
The benefits of Iceberg lettuce are due to the vitamins, minerals and other valuable elements in its composition. Healthy people can consume it daily without restrictions, this even applies to pregnant and breastfeeding women. There are some contraindications, including absolute ones.
