Tortoise Group Information Sheet # 4

 

COMPARISON OF NUTRIENT VALUES IN FOODS

We recommend a diet with no vegetables, such as commercial produce. A diet of vegetables is not complete. Instead, offer MegaDiet tortoise chow. It provides all the needed nutrients and fiber. Also, grow dandelions, grass, and ornamentals (See Information Sheet # 21). Read the section on Food in the Tortoise Group pamphlet, Desert Tortoises, Adoption and Care. Most deficiencies are from diets low in Vit. A, calcium, protein, and fiber. The challenge is to provide these nutrients without giving excessive sodium, or more phosphorus than calcium. A calcium to phosphorus ratio of 2:1 is good. MegaDiet fulfills all requirement. Do not add supplements.

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Food         (In 100 gram amounts)	Protein         (grams)	Vitamin A         (IU)	Calcium         (mg)	Phosphorus         (mg)	Sodium         (mg)
Broccoli (5" Stalk)*	3.6	2,500	103	78	16
Dandelion Greens	2.7	14,000	187	66	76
Watercress	2.3	4,988	154	55	18
Parsley	3.7	8,670	207	65	45
Mustard Greens	3.0	7,000	183	50	32
Carrots	1.1	11,000	37	36	47
Banana Squash	--.-	---	---	---	---
Collards	3.5	6,500	203	63	trace
Kale	4.2	8,900	61	75	47
Alfalfa Sprouts	5.1	---	28	---	---
Bean Sprouts (Mung)	4.0	20	20	67	5
Alfalfa Hay**	9-15.5	589-10,800	1,290	210	50
Alfalfa Fresh	4.4	5,640	380	70	---
Clover	3.5	8,960	290	60	---
Bermuda Grass Hay	4.0	---	370	190	---
Bluegrass Lawn	2.4	7,930	100	90	trace
Use The Following Sparingly
Stringbeans	1.9	600	52	46	7
Zucchini	1.0	484	28	29	1
Peas	6.4	651	27	118	2
Cabbage	1.3	129	49	29	14
Tomato	1.1	945	14	28	3
AVOID THE FOLLOWING
Romaine Lettuce	1.3	450	27	58	10
Iceberg Lettuce	1.0	325	48	18	10
Avocado	2.1	290	6	18	1
Apple	0.2	90	7	10	1
Banana	1.1	162	7	23	1
Cantaloupe	0.7	3,400	14	16	12
Apricot	1.0	2,601	16	23	---
Celery	1.1	320	47	34	126

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* Average is 2,500. Leaves, 16,000; flower heads, 3,000; stems, 400 IU
** Early bloom and late bloom yield different values
--- Values not given in references used

Special Warnings

• SODIUM. Most fresh vegetables contain only 1 to 10 milligrams of sodium per 100 grams of the food. Canned vegetables average 236 mg per 100 grams!! Sodium is added to some frozen foods. Avoid: canned and frozen vegetables, dairy products, breads, and celery.

• SPINACH has nutrients but also contains OXALIC ACID. Oxalic acid binds calcium making it UNAVAILABLE to the system. Avoid spinach. Also avoid beet greens and Swiss chard for the same reason.

• BROCCOLI, KALE, COLLARDS and MUSTARD GREENS (of the cabbage family) have valuable nutrients but depress the thyroid. Goiter can develop from heavy use of the cabbage family.

• NO CAT FOOD OR DOG FOOD. They may cause digestive problems because the fiber content is too low for tortoises.

• NO SWEET FRUIT OR CORN. The sugar in these foods predispose desert tortoises to intestinal parasites.

• NO FROZEN VEGETABLES especially for young tortoises. Some nutrients are lost when foods are frozen. Frozen carrots and broccoli are rubbery and corn is not healthful because of the sugar. Some frozen vegetables have added sodium.

The Tortoise Group pamphlet, Desert Tortoises Adoption and Care is available at veterinary hospitals in the Las Vegas area and public libraries throughout Clark County. See Tortoise Group website MegaDiet, the complete tortoise chow is the recommended food. It is available from Tortoise Group.

TG/8/03

 

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