What is Red Leaf Lettuce?
Red leaf lettuce is a form of loose-leaf lettuce, very comparable to green leaf lettuce. It packs a high nutritional value, far superior to iceberg lettuce, into very few calories, about 15 per a 12-ounce (340.2 grams) serving. Additionally, red leaf lettuce is an excellent source of beta carotene, which may be indicated in reducing risk for developing cataracts. Green and red leaf lettuces are essentially the same from a nutritional standpoint and in many other ways. Both types are of the daisy family, Asteraceae, and both belong to the genus and species L. sativa. Of the lettuces grown, the most nutritionally superior is Romaine lettuce, but both green and red leaf lettuce are excellent foods. They tend to have a mild taste, a nice crunch, and are excellent as used in a variety of dishes.
