Which is healthier: baby spinach or iceberg lettuce?
You’ve made friends with salad, but which leafy green base is healthiest? Healthy Food Guide compares two popular choices: iceberg lettuce and baby spinach.
Vitamin C – for a strong immune system
Iceberg lettuce: 2mg
Baby spinach: 11mg
Iron – to transport oxygen
Iceberg lettuce: 0.3g
Baby spinach: 0.8g
Folate – important for mums-to-be
Iceberg lettuce: 12mcg
Baby spinach: 73mcg
Beta carotene – supports eye health
Iceberg lettuce: 58mcg
Baby spinach: 1895mcg
The winner?
Both are deserving of a place in your fridge’s veggie crisper drawer because they both contribute to your five daily serves of veg and are versatile, low-kilojoule/calorie salad additions. However, baby spinach outperforms iceberg lettuce in terms of good-for-you micronutrients.
Delicious ways to use spinach and lettuce
Spiced pilaf with meatballs, currants and baby spinach
Spinach, feta and haloumi Turkish pide
Spinach, broccoli and pesto open omelette with lemon ricotta
Beef and mushroom stroganoff with garlic spinach and beans
And here are 10 tasty ways with lettuce
Baby spinach is…
➜ higher in vitamin C
➜ higher in iron
➜ higher in folate
➜ higher in beta carotene
For more healthy comparisons you might be interested in:
- Which is healthier: fruit toast or a cheese toasted sandwich?
- Which is healthier: Quinoa or couscous?
- Which is healthier: olive oil or canola/rapeseed oil?
- Which is healthier – regular or sweet potatoes?
- Which is healthier: cauliflower rice or white rice?
- Which is healthier: baby spinach or iceberg lettuce?
- Which is healthier: Christmas cake or a mince pie?
www.healthyfood.com
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