Iceberg Lettuce

No. Iceberg lettuce is not a common choking hazard, though small shreds of lettuce carry a risk of aspiration (when food or fluid accidentally enters the airway but does not block it). Lettuce can also be quite tricky to manage for the youngest eaters,leading to gagging if the leaves cling to the roof of the mouth or baby’s tongue. Offer a drink in an open cup to help baby wash any pieces of food down. As always, make sure to create a safe eating environment and stay within an arm’s reach of baby during meals. For more information on choking, visit our sections on gagging and choking and familiarize yourself with the list of common choking hazards.

No. Allergies to lettuce are rare, though when they do occur, they can be severe.  Individuals with lettuce allergy may be sensitive to lipid transfer proteins in other foods such as peach, cherry, carrot, grape, corn, hazelnut, peanut, and walnut. However, it is not typical for people with lettuce allergy to react to all these other foods. Individuals with Oral Allergy Syndrome (also called pollen food allergy syndrome), and in particular, those with sensitivities to plane tree pollen, may also be sensitive to lettuce. Oral Allergy Syndrome typically results in short-lived itching, tingling, or burning in the mouth and is unlikely to result in a dangerous reaction. Cooking lettuce may help minimize and even eliminate the reaction.

As you would when introducing any new food, start by offering a small quantity on its own for the first few servings. If there is no adverse reaction, gradually increase the quantity over future meals.

Yes. Iceberg lettuce provides lots of water and important nutrients for a developing child, including vitamin A, folate, potassium, vitamin K, fiber, and lutein and zeaxanthin. In tandem, these nutrients work to support vision, heart health, healthy blood, and a healthy digestive system.

Lettuce may be contaminated with foodborne illness-causing germs, such as E. coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. Wash lettuce thoroughly under cold running water (no need for soap or vinegar) before serving or cooking with it.

★Tip: To get the most value, purchase a whole head of lettuce, store loosely wrapped in a paper towel in the crisper drawer of your fridge, and don’t wash the leaves until mealtime.

Yes. Iceberg lettuce contains fiber and water, both of which support healthy digestion and regular pooping. Note that pooping patterns can vary significantly from child to child. Be sure to talk to your pediatric healthcare provider if you have concerns about baby’s pooping and digestive function.

Iceberg lettuce was developed in the United States from Mediterranean varieties in the 20th century. Its name recalls preservation methods before refrigeration; heads of lettuce were packed on ice in freight train boxcars as they traveled from California farms to markets across the country. Iceberg lettuce has gone in and out of style over the past 100 years, but it lives on as a mainstay on dinner tables and restaurant menus alike. Iceberg lettuce is refreshingly cool, with a crisp texture, a watery sweetness, and just a hint of bitter bite. This lettuce is part of the crisphead family—varieties whose leaves grow to overlap one another to form a dense, round head that looks very different from loose-leaf greens like arugula, kale, and spinach.