Comments on: Iceberg?

By: Alysn

Alysn — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 10:48:54 +0000

I expect most of the folks who like it do so because it is an excuse to consume the flavors of the dressings while still feeling as though they are consuming a ‘healthy’ salad. Its’ flavor, while present, is innocuous enough to stay in the background, allowing the flavor of the dressing to b primary.

By: jwsharrard

jwsharrard — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 22:20:26 +0000

Sometimes cheapest is OK, but when it comes to food, it’s often the case that you get what you pay for–in the case of iceberg, least flavor, least nutrition, least quality.

As far as pre-bagged lettuces go, I avoid them like a dollar store fruitcake—there’s no way to check them for freshness; chances are they’ve been shipped across the country; and because they’re processed in central locations, if there is a bacterially tainted green (think bagged spinach a year or two back), chances are it’s pre-bagged.

By: Sara Cheney

Sara Cheney — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 05:27:15 +0000

I happened upon this blog entry while looking up the fiber content of iceberg lettuce.
I like it because it’s good, has a nice texture, usually comes prebagged with carrots and because it’s the cheapest!

By: threemilechild

threemilechild — Thu, 05 Apr 2007 00:25:44 +0000

I really like the flavour of iceberg lettuce, whether by itself (sweet, juicy, delicious!) or in a salad or even as a crunchy, cool topping for a nice spicy enchilada. I’ve never found it bland; I’ve wondered if maybe this was an example of some people being sensitive to chemicals in it that others are not.

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 18:41:27 +0000

From Harvard School of Public Health website:

Iceberg lettuce has very little nutritional value; it is mostly water and a small amount of fiber. Vegetables that are better for you tend to be richer in color. For example, compare iceberg lettuce to spinach; spinach is better for you since it is rich in iron and folate. Compare white potato to sweet potato; sweet potato is better for you since it is rich in beta carotene and other vitamins.

Notice the “small amount” above.

By: Kitarra

Kitarra — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 17:17:16 +0000

I have banned iceberg lettuce from my house. Other than fiber it provides so little nutrients and flavor! I love salads but I much prefer to use dark leafy greens. They have iron they are good for you and they taste fantastic.

By: serge

serge — Fri, 30 Mar 2007 05:09:37 +0000

I feel the same way about white mushrooms. Nowadays, they’re not even that much cheaper than other types, types that actually have flavor.

By: Betty

Betty — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 23:42:09 +0000

What surprises me most about this phenomenon is that people are willing to spend between $4-$11 for a quarter head of substandard lettuce with some blue cheese dressing and bacon crumbles.

By: V

Thu, 29 Mar 2007 14:37:39 +0000

I have no sense of smell and that impacts my sense of taste. As a result, texture and mouth feel is as important as taste.

While I do eat iceberg lettuce, It’s only the inner bits due to the texture and the crunch followed by a rush of moisture. (The outer leaves don’t have that property.) If I want a salad, I go for the darker greens because they have better nutrition and are something I can taste.

As for why people get excited about a wedge of iceberg, I’d have to say it’s for the novelty. No one else can say “Here, have a chunk of salad.”

By: jwsharrard

jwsharrard — Thu, 29 Mar 2007 00:06:15 +0000

Yeah, but you get fiber and water from the other greens, too.