Should I ditch bagged lettuce? No way, would I recommend getting rid of bagged or pre-washed lettuce, especially if convenience is important to you. Many of the bagged lettuces claim “triple washed” on the bag or container, and this is big news for getting rid of bacteria and pesticides (although it never hurts to wash again). A regular, packaged head of lettuce will need to be washed, dried and properly stored in an airtight bag or container, while its counterpart, pre-washed, prepackaged lettuces are ready-to-go. If saving money is your goal, then perhaps purchasing fresh lettuce is the way to go. For a fresh head of lettuce, plan to rinse and dry it well before storing in an airtight bag or container (preferably with a dry paper towel).
When purchasing pre-washed lettuce, always check the expiration date and be sure to store the lettuce properly after opening. This type of lettuce is usually good for 1-3 days after opening, if stored in an airtight container.
Health Benefits
The health benefits of lettuce are numerous and this vegetable is very low in calories; only 5 calories per cup. Lettuce provides antioxidant vitamins A, C, and beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is important to vision health. Lettuce is also high in vitamin K, which plays a potential role in bone metabolism, leading to increased bone mass. B-vitamins, iron, calcium and magnesium are also found in lettuce. Like most vegetables, lettuce contains many important nutrients to help protect individuals from diseases such as heart disease and certain types of cancers.
