Romaine Lettuce Recipes and Cooking

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Romaine Lettuce Information

Said to have originated on the Aegean island of Cos, romaine lettuce has an elongated head, with deep green outer leaves and a fresh, slightly bitter center. Its higher nutrient content makes it an excellent substitute for iceberg lettuce.

Varieties

Romaine is a type of leaf lettuce.

Buying and storing tips

Romaine can be found in the produce section of most health food stores and supermarkets. Look for tightly packed heads with fresh green leaves that show no sign of wilting or blemishes. Wrap in paper towel and store in plastic in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Availability

Romaine is available all year long, and is at its peak from mid-winter to early spring.

Preparation, uses, and tips

Just before using, remove the leaves, rinse in cold water, and spin or pat dry. Break into bite-sized pieces by hand, or toss smaller romaine leaves with seasoned croutons, asiago cheese, tomatoes, and Caesar dressing.

Nutritional Highlights

Romaine lettuce, 1/2 cup (35g) (raw, shredded)
Calories: 3.9
Protein: 0.45g
Carbohydrate: 0.66g
Total Fat: 0.056g
Fiber: 0.47g
*Good source of: Vitamin C (6.7mg), and Vitamin A (728 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

Asthma

Vitamin C, present in fruits and vegetables, is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. This anti-inflammatory activity may influence the development of asthma symptoms. A large preliminary study has shown that young children with asthma experience significantly less wheezing if they eat a diet high in fruits rich in vitamin C.

Bruising

Many Americans eat insufficient amounts of foods containing vitamin C; the disease caused by vitamin C deficiency, scurvy, causes easy bruising. While very few people actually have scurvy, even minor deficiencies of vitamin C can increase the incidence of bruising. People who experience easy bruising may want to try eating more fruits and vegetables—common dietary sources of vitamin C.

Capillary fragility

Eating plenty of flavonoid- and vitamin C-rich fruits and vegetables helps to support the structure of capillaries.

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.

High homocysteine

A controlled trial showed that eating a diet high in fruits and vegetables containing folic acid, beta-carotene, and vitamin C effectively lowered homocysteine levels. Healthy people were assigned to either a diet containing a pound of fruits and vegetables per day, or to a diet containing 3 1/2 ounces (99g) of fruits and vegetables per day. After four weeks, those eating the higher amount of fruits and vegetables had an 11 percent lower homocysteine level compared to those eating the lower amount of fruits and vegetables.

Multiple sclerosis (MS)

In one survey, researchers gathered information from nearly 400 individuals (half with MS) over three years. They found that consumption of vegetable protein, fruit juice, and foods rich in vitamin C, thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and potassium correlated with a decreased MS risk.

Pregnancy

Pregnant women should consume 1,500mg of calcium per day. Food sources of calcium include milk products, dark green leafy vegetables,

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The information presented in Foodnotes 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.