What better way to start your meal than with a bowl of salad replete with lettuce. Not only does lettuce add flavour but it is also extremely nutritious. You could add it to your sandwiches too. Lettuce is high in calcium which is very good for your bones and teeth. Its iron content helps in the production of haemoglobin.
Lettuce is very high in vitamin C as well as vitamin A. Vitamin C enhances the absorption of protein as well as iron. It also helps fight viruses and bacteria and is very good for the skin and hair. Vitamin A is very good for the eyes.
Very low in saturated fat and high in dietary fibre, lettuce has no cholesterol and has been associated with reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke and cataract. This results from the presence of beta-carotene.
The consumption of lettuce helps insomniacs as it contains a sleep-inducing substance. Lettuce is very good for diabetics as well as it is low on the glycemic index and also in carbohydrates. Helpful in treating anaemia, indigestion, cataract and circulatory problems, lettuce, being low in calories, is an excellent choice for dieters. So add a lettuce salad to your lunch as well as to your dinner!
The writer is a Mumbai-based nutritionist