Re: Wheatgrass?

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Posted by PH Meliss on December 04, 2002 at 15:48:34:

In Reply to: Wheatgrass? posted by spoothed on December 03, 2002 at 17:28:41:

:After discussing it with Doug Dix, a Uromastyx breeder I am ordering from, we both seem to be at a loss. Hence, I have come to some other greens experts, the Iguana people :). Has anyone used Wheatgrass with success? I know it holds great benefit for humans, and is even sold as a supplemented "superfood" similarly to alfalfa.

The people who sell wheatgrass are the ones promoting its otherwise poorly documented health benefits.

Wheatgrass is just sprouted wheat seeds (sometimes called wheatberries), just as alfalfa sprouts are sprouted alfalfa seeds, mung sprouts are sprouted mung beans, etc. Unfortunately, sprouts don't carry the nutrient density of the mature plant, which is why they aren't good to add to an herbivore diet other than as an occasional treat. See Use of sprouts vs. mature greens and whole beans for more info.

Now, with wheatgrass, there is a further problem: wheat is high in phosphorous and contains other chemicals that can impair the uptake of various minerals and trace elements, which is why bread and other grains should not be a regular part of the herbivorous diet.

And the above doesn't even begin to address the problems with toxic fungal growths that can attach fresh sprouts (excuse me, wheatgrass) when the potted product isn't handled and maintained correctly while in transit or sitting on the shelf in the grocery, health food or pet store. Same goes for the pots of fresh catnip, btw.

Keep in mind that most US humans eat a crappy diet - way too high in protein, fats, sugar, salt, and "bad" carbs. ANY green whole food we can add to our diet is going to benefit us - it doesn't have to be "health food" products such as spirulina, blue green algae (some species of which are very toxic, BTW), or chlorella, or alfalfa or "green foods" products. Just adding lots of fresh or lightly steamed veggies and greens to our diet will do, but that takes more time and creativity than does popping a couple of powder-filled capsules.

So, stick to the proper foods for the herbivores and omnivores, and save sprouts and other marginal ("junk") foods as occasional treats.

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PH Meliss
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