Re: IguanaDen Diet: maybe not the best choice

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Posted by cirsisue on December 29, 1998 at 09:41:11:

In Reply to: Re: IguanaDen Diet: maybe not the best choice posted by Jamie on December 29, 1998 at 01:15:39:

: Hi, Jeff
: I have a couple things to say about this diet. I realize that this diet has been hyped and that many people have great things to say about it, but it is not a 'wonder diet.' For one thing, if one was to do research on every vegetable in this diet, you would find that while all of them are *very* high in calcium, many are also high in other, more undesireable things. These things are, one, oxalic acids, which binds much of the calcium in these veggies and makes it useless. Also, many are high in goitrogens, which causes the problem goiter. Which is, quite simply, a serious problem with the thyroid. I throughly advocate the use of lots of greens in a diet, I suggest 60% leafy greens, but I *do not* believe that leafy greens alone is enough. Nutritious veggies such as green string beans and butternut squash are great additions. As are occasional offerings of nutrutious friuts like papaya, mango, and dried figs. It has been said that the Iguana Den diet is more natural because iguanas only eat leaves in the wild. BUT, the greens they eat in the wild are not available to us here, and we can't replicate their nutritional content with these greens alone. This diet has been created on the grounds that all these veggies are high in calcium, but, please remember, there is more to an iguana's diet than calcium. The MK diet is a decent but misunderstood diet. Many people believe that the basic salad is all there is to it, just the four or five hard veggies listed. That's not true. For those who continue reading her caresheet, she mentions leafy greens and their necessity *many* times. My advice: Don't follow some one's list of foods that is called a diet: that kills variety and is insulting to you. Do research on veggies and create your own diet. Don't limit yourself that therefore your iguana. This, I feel, is the best way to go. Anyone else?
: Best,
: Jamie

I believe Jamie hit the nail riteon the head as far as I'm concerned.We've had our igs 9 years and they get a mixture of 75% greens 25% veggies and 2% fruits.We supplement once a week except our female when it's that time of the year.They like varity just like us. I do stay away from high protein.Just keep in mind, these animals are still new to the pet scene so you'll hear a lot of diferent things out there.I've found this forum is a valueable tool fo ig owners.

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: : : Hi, Jeff : : I have a couple things to say about this diet. I realize that this diet has been hyped and that many people have great things to say about it, but it is not a 'wonder diet.' For one thing, if one was to do research on every vegetable in this diet, you would find that while all of them are *very* high in calcium, many are also high in other, more undesireable things. These things are, one, oxalic acids, which binds much of the calcium in these veggies and makes it useless. Also, many are high in goitrogens, which causes the problem goiter. Which is, quite simply, a serious problem with the thyroid. I throughly advocate the use of lots of greens in a diet, I suggest 60% leafy greens, but I *do not* believe that leafy greens alone is enough. Nutritious veggies such as green string beans and butternut squash are great additions. As are occasional offerings of nutrutious friuts like papaya, mango, and dried figs. It has been said that the Iguana Den diet is more natural because iguanas only eat leaves in the wild. BUT, the greens they eat in the wild are not available to us here, and we can't replicate their nutritional content with these greens alone. This diet has been created on the grounds that all these veggies are high in calcium, but, please remember, there is more to an iguana's diet than calcium. The MK diet is a decent but misunderstood diet. Many people believe that the basic salad is all there is to it, just the four or five hard veggies listed. That's not true. For those who continue reading her caresheet, she mentions leafy greens and their necessity *many* times. My advice: Don't follow some one's list of foods that is called a diet: that kills variety and is insulting to you. Do research on veggies and create your own diet. Don't limit yourself that therefore your iguana. This, I feel, is the best way to go. Anyone else? : : Best, : : Jamie : : I believe Jamie hit the nail riteon the head as far as I'm concerned.We've had our igs 9 years and they get a mixture of 75% greens 25% veggies and 2% fruits.We supplement once a week except our female when it's that time of the year.They like varity just like us. I do stay away from high protein.Just keep in mind, these animals are still new to the pet scene so you'll hear a lot of diferent things out there.I've found this forum is a valueable tool fo ig owners.

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