It seems just like yesterday that I anxiously published the post Little Lettuce Going to Feed Me Someday. This is my first year growing Lettuce in my garden and I was so excited to start harvesting fresh, yummy salads everyday!
Well, just a couple of weeks later we have SO MUCH LETTUCE! I hate the idea of wasting just one leaf, so I am trying to incorporate it into all of our meals.
I decided it would be good to know what nutrients and benefits come from eating lettuce (especially since it is now my number one food intake!) I was pleasantly surprised with what I read that it makes me want even more of the leafy green goodness!
- Although most people think of lettuce as just “rabbit food”, it contains energy, protein, fat, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, and sugars. It can be a full, nutritious meal!
- Lettuce lowers cholesterol levels that often lead to cardiovascular disease.
- Minerals found in lettuce include calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, zinc along with vitamins like thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, folate, vitamin B-6, C, A, E, and vitamin K.
- Lettuce can actually aid in anxiety control because it contains anxiolytic properties.
- Lettuce contains anti-inflammatory properties to help control inflammation.
- Lettuce supplies antioxidants, which are necessary in a healthy diet.
- Lettuce also has anti-cancer properties.
- Last but not least, Lettuce is so versatile and delicious. You can eat it with pretty much anything (well, maybe not oatmeal) and it is so easy to grow, there really isn’t an excuse not to!
Have you had your Lettuce today?