Can lettuce benefit your teeth?

POSTED: 1:56 PM PDT May 7, 2013 
Contaminated - Lettuce

By Pure Matters

If the only leafy green vegetable you're familiar with is iceberg lettuce, you don't know what you're missing. There's a world of greens available that offers you more nutrients than iceberg.

Greens are quite versatile vegetables. They are easy to prepare and can be boiled or steamed -- or even eaten raw. They can be part of a crisp salad or a hearty soup. Greens are tasty and full of vitamins and nutrients too. Here's a list of some important nutrients you get from leafy greens:

A greens guide

Before you eat any greens, it's important to wash them in cool water. Then dry them in a salad spinner, or shake them gently in a colander.

You can find many different greens at your local supermarket or at a farm stand. Keep in mind that the fresher greens are, the better they taste. Look for crisp leaves. Here is a guide to help you get started.

Quick cooking

Be careful not to overcook greens; you'll get fewer nutrients if you do. Greens are done when they are barely tender. Most greens cook in 5 to 15 minutes, depending on the toughness of the leaves.

On your next trip to the grocery store, be adventurous in the produce aisle. You might find a green you don't like, but chances are you'll also discover some tasty ones. Experiment with the greens you like. Add them to rice or risotto dishes, or toss them with spaghetti. Or, use them to top homemade pizza. There's no wrong way to eat them, and you can't beat the nutritional rewards.