Lettuce leaves contain almost no calories and their contribution to reducing the consumption of sugars and snacks is enormous. Personally, I don’t have a salad without lettuce. It is available all year round, costs very little compared to “super” vegetables, and significantly upgrades any salad.
What do you do with lettuce that has been in the fridge for a week?
It’s a shame to throw it away because the nutritional value of the lettuce is preserved. It has a lot of dietary fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, vitamin K and also chlorophyll. It is very satisfying and its caloric value is zero.
Instead of throwing away the lettuce, there is a trick I learned 30 years ago: wash the lettuce leaves and tear them into medium tears. Put the pieces in a bowl filled with very cold water and a spoonful of sugar – yes, a spoonful of sugar. Soak for about an hour, maybe a little more. The lettuce absorbs the water and also a little of the sugar, becoming more “crispy” than fresh lettuce and also tastier.