Okra .....the numbers (long but bear with me!)

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Iguanamomma on September 02, 1999 at 11:08:37:

In Reply to: Is okra OK for Lizzy? posted by Penny on September 01, 1999 at 20:25:06:

The foods that are high in calcium oxalates are placed in the "for occasional use" catagory by some people (myself included). However, some foods in the "staple" catagory also are high in calcium oxalates. This is somewhat counteracted by the addition of other foods or supplement. At least that is how I understand these things...and trust me, Penny, I can get confused on foods! As stated many times by many people, the important thing to remember is variety and moderation AND strive to reach a total calcium to phosphorous ratio of 2:1 when the foods are all tossed together and served *grin*

I've never used okra before but not because I think it is ugly like parsnips LOL Just slimy! So I went ahead and did my number researching to see how it stacks up. Found out something interesting....it is in the same family as our much ig-loved hibiscus! And there is another type of okra known as "Musk mallow"...didn't run numbers on it but I like the name :o)

Here's more on okra as cited from Plants for a Future Database:

http://www.metalab.unc.edu/pfaf/D_search.html

Latin Name - Abelmoschus esculentus
Common Name - Okra
Family - Malvaceae
Synonyms - Hibiscus esculentus. L.
Known Hazards: The hairs on the seed pods can be an irritant to some people and gloves should be worn when harvesting. These hairs can be easily removed by washing[200].

The fruits are rich in pectin and are also a fair source of iron and calcium[240]. The fresh fruits contain 740 iu vitamin A[240]. The fruit should be harvested whilst young, older fruits soon become fibrous[133]. The fruit can be up to 20cm long[200].

And the numbers from the USDA database:

http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl

1 cup RAW - 2g protein; 3.2g fiber; 81mg:63mg Ca:P ratio

1/2 cup COOKED, BOILED, DRAINED, NO SALT - 1.496g protein; 2.0g fiber; 50.4mg:44.8mg Ca:P ratio

10 oz FROZEN - 4.8g protein; 6.248g fiber; 230.040mg:119.280mg Ca:P ratio

1/2 cup FROZEN/COOKED/BOILED/DRAINED/NO SALT - 1.9g protein; 2.576g fiber; 88.320mg:42.320mg Ca:P ratio

IMHO it appears that the latter one is the best way to go in re to the Ca:P ratio. If you know it is fresh frozen, fine. If you have doubts about how long it may have been in the store's freezer, you have to consider the loss of thiamine. But that is easily remedied by adding cooked rice, pasta, etc. or that all time favorite of igs--a bit of bread. I'm just not clear in my own mind whether frozen that is allowed to thaw (rather than cooking)retains the numbers that I have cited which is why I chose the last one.

To all of those who sometimes wonder about foods whether for yourself or for your reptiles, those two websites listed here are a valuable tool. In fact, I would encourage you to go to the PFAF site and punch in okra and read about it. I found it very interesting reading myself....but then I'm easily entertained :o)

glenda
(who now craves a big ol' plate of fried okra, green onions and cornbread...wheee-doggy!)

Follow Ups:

Re: Can't argue with this ^ southern belle! BabyHerp 9/02/99 (1)
- Re: Oxalate Link...whups!! BabyHerp 9/02/99 (0)

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: The foods that are high in calcium oxalates are placed in the "for occasional use" catagory by some people (myself included). However, some foods in the "staple" catagory also are high in calcium oxalates. This is somewhat counteracted by the addition of other foods or supplement. At least that is how I understand these things...and trust me, Penny, I can get confused on foods! As stated many times by many people, the important thing to remember is variety and moderation AND strive to reach a total calcium to phosphorous ratio of 2:1 when the foods are all tossed together and served *grin* : I've never used okra before but not because I think it is ugly like parsnips LOL Just slimy! So I went ahead and did my number researching to see how it stacks up. Found out something interesting....it is in the same family as our much ig-loved hibiscus! And there is another type of okra known as "Musk mallow"...didn't run numbers on it but I like the name :o) : Here's more on okra as cited from Plants for a Future Database: : http://www.metalab.unc.edu/pfaf/D_search.html : Latin Name - Abelmoschus esculentus : Common Name - Okra : Family - Malvaceae : Synonyms - Hibiscus esculentus. L. : Known Hazards: The hairs on the seed pods can be an irritant to some people and gloves should be worn when harvesting. These hairs can be easily removed by washing[200]. : : The fruits are rich in pectin and are also a fair source of iron and calcium[240]. The fresh fruits contain 740 iu vitamin A[240]. The fruit should be harvested whilst young, older fruits soon become fibrous[133]. The fruit can be up to 20cm long[200]. : And the numbers from the USDA database: : http://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/cgi-bin/nut_search.pl : 1 cup RAW - 2g protein; 3.2g fiber; 81mg:63mg Ca:P ratio : 1/2 cup COOKED, BOILED, DRAINED, NO SALT - 1.496g protein; 2.0g fiber; 50.4mg:44.8mg Ca:P ratio : 10 oz FROZEN - 4.8g protein; 6.248g fiber; 230.040mg:119.280mg Ca:P ratio : 1/2 cup FROZEN/COOKED/BOILED/DRAINED/NO SALT - 1.9g protein; 2.576g fiber; 88.320mg:42.320mg Ca:P ratio : IMHO it appears that the latter one is the best way to go in re to the Ca:P ratio. If you know it is fresh frozen, fine. If you have doubts about how long it may have been in the store's freezer, you have to consider the loss of thiamine. But that is easily remedied by adding cooked rice, pasta, etc. or that all time favorite of igs--a bit of bread. I'm just not clear in my own mind whether frozen that is allowed to thaw (rather than cooking)retains the numbers that I have cited which is why I chose the last one. : To all of those who sometimes wonder about foods whether for yourself or for your reptiles, those two websites listed here are a valuable tool. In fact, I would encourage you to go to the PFAF site and punch in okra and read about it. I found it very interesting reading myself....but then I'm easily entertained :o) : glenda : (who now craves a big ol' plate of fried okra, green onions and cornbread...wheee-doggy!)

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]