The Case For Not Eating Lettuce

Oct 7, 2026

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About this episode:

A leaf of iceberg on a sandwich or a serving of chopped romaine in a salad can add a satisfying crunch to your lunch—but does it offer much of anything else? In this episode: Washington Post food policy columnist Tamar Haspel unpacks the environmental implications of growing lettuce, the limited nutritional benefits offered by the crop, and why it's such a common culprit behind outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.

Guest:

Tamar Haspel is an author and columnist with the Washington Post, who covers food, health, and science.

Host:

Stephanie Desmon, MA, is a former journalist, author, and the director of public relations and communications for the Johns Hopkins Center for Communication Programs.

Show links and related content:

Why we should stop eating lettuce, cyclospora or not—The Washington Post
Why salad is so overrated—The Washington Post
The Explosive Diarrhea Episode—Public Health On Call (July 2026)

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