Can I use frozen greens?

[GoBigGuy]

Hi All,

So I've been doing some more research on feeding bearded dragons so I can put together a menu my daughter can follow and just learned that the greens that are recommended to feed daily my wife doesn't see a lot of at the store.

I got most of my info from: http://www.beautifuldragons.com/Nutrition.html

From what I am understanding from the site the following are okay to feed daily:

Cactus Pad/Leaf
Collard Greens
Dandelion Greens
Endive
Escarole
Mustard Greens
Acorn Squash
Butternut Squash
Hubbard Squash
Scallop Squash
Summer Squash
Turnip Greens

When I asked my wife what she could get from the store she said that she can sometimes get butternut or acorn squash but that's about it. I am going to look at a few more stores near by to see what else I can find but wanted to know if I can feed frozen greens? Figure if I do find something I can freeze a bunch of it or maybe I can find it at the store in the freezer section. Then I just have to thaw it out to feed.

Thoughts?

 

[CooperDragon]

I've thawed out frozen peas before and offered those in a salad but I haven't tried freezing fresh veges. I'd be concerned with some of the nutrients being lost during freezing but that may not be a valid concern. I would provide as much fresh food as you can and supplement with frozen. What you can get available will probably vary with the seasons. You could also start growing your own veges. I have some potted greens that I keep inside over the winter and a full garden during the summer which helps. Kingofnobbys has seen success with freezing chopped veges in ice cube trays and thawing out a portion each day. That may be worth trying https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=221116&p=1715826

 

[GoBigGuy]

Now on the Nutrition site there are a bunch of foods listed in black which is "Feed occasionally", any idea on what occasionally would be? Once a week? Once a month? ect..

I've thawed out frozen peas before and offered those in a salad but I haven't tried freezing fresh veges. I'd be concerned with some of the nutrients being lost during freezing but that may not be a valid concern. I would provide as much fresh food as you can and supplement with frozen. What you can get available will probably vary with the seasons. You could also start growing your own veges. I have some potted greens that I keep inside over the winter and a full garden during the summer which helps. Kingofnobbys has seen success with freezing chopped veges in ice cube trays and thawing out a portion each day. That may be worth trying https://www.beardeddragon.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=18&t=221116&p=1715826

 

[CooperDragon]

I think it's relative. In my opinion most of those things are fine on a somewhat regular basis when combined with a nice varied salad with a few different items in it.

 

[GoBigGuy]

That's good to know! I'm trying to put together a daily salad mix that my daughter can prepare daily but just want to make sure I include the correct list of foods that can be used daily.

So most of the items in black are good to use daily as long as they are mixed with others?

I think it's relative. In my opinion most of those things are fine on a somewhat regular basis when combined with a nice varied salad with a few different items in it.

 

[CooperDragon]

Yes, to an extent. I've had good luck mixing in bok choy, bell peppers, pumpkin, green beans and kale with the staple greens and some staple veges like zucchini and yellow squash on a regular basis.

 

[GoBigGuy]

Would this be a good list to give her? Anything I should remove or change?

Daily Salad Mix Ingredients -Pick 3 & No More Than 1 Fruit
Collard Greens
Asparagus
Nectarine
Cactus Pad/Leaf
Fresh Basil
Papaya
Endive
Carrots
Pea Sprouts
Escarole
Fresh Cranberries
Peach
Mustard Greens
Yellow Bell Pepper
Snap Peas (pea & pod)
Acorn Squash
Bok Choy
Plum
Butternut Squash
Green Cabbage
Fresh Rosemary
Spaghetti Squash
Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Summer Squash
Grape Leaves
Wheat Grass
Turnip Greens
Honeydew Yams
Apple (peeled)
Kale
Yucca Root
Apricot
Leeks
Zucchini

Yes, to an extent. I've had good luck mixing in bok choy, bell peppers, pumpkin, green beans and kale with the staple greens and some staple veges like zucchini and yellow squash on a regular basis.

 

[CooperDragon]

That's a pretty extensive list. I'd say something like pick a staple green out of collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, and mustard greens. Then pick one or two items from the rest of your list. Then maybe once or twice a week pick out a fruit to add as a garnish. I've had good luck with blackberries and raspberries. Strawberry tops have been popular too. Mixed results with blueberries - sometimes they cause upset stomach. In general, variety is key. Go with more of the staple greens than anything but if you can't get them sometimes that's OK just fill in with what you can get. There's no set fast rule on it, it's just a general guideline.

 

[GoBigGuy]

Thanks for the feedback and I think I'll narrow it down or maybe split it up into Staple Greens and Optional Greens then have a Fruit List - Once or Twice a Week

That way my wife have options when shopping and my daughter will know what to make

That's a pretty extensive list. I'd say something like pick a staple green out of collard greens, turnip greens, dandelion greens, and mustard greens. Then pick one or two items from the rest of your list. Then maybe once or twice a week pick out a fruit to add as a garnish. I've had good luck with blackberries and raspberries. Strawberry tops have been popular too. Mixed results with blueberries - sometimes they cause upset stomach. In general, variety is key. Go with more of the staple greens than anything but if you can't get them sometimes that's OK just fill in with what you can get. There's no set fast rule on it, it's just a general guideline.

 

[Taterbug]

Freezing doesn't damage nutrients (I believe that basically an old wives tail) but thawing (things leach out in the water that is lost) and blanching (most greens need to be blanched to be frozen) can cause nutrient loss.

The general logic behind the staple greens is they are usually pretty good sources of calcium - calcium deficiency is a very common problem in pet reptiles (and other pets for which 'complete diets' don't exist). On the list Cooper linked, or really any bearded dragon feeding guide you'll see the Ca ratio - this is a general idea of how much calcium is available, compared to phosphorus - ideally 2:1 is a good ratio. Personally I have no problem feeding 'occasional' foods frequently (daily or ever few days) as long as I'm paying attention to why they are occasional, I'll make high calcium food a majority of the meal or supplement with calcium powder. I try to get things that are fresh, sometimes the greens are really nice and sometimes they are pretty gross. Depending on your daughters interests it may even be a chance for her to learn more about nutrition/foods. This is a pretty good summary for building a diet. http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/feeder/1048690-calculating-out-ratios-supplmentation-edible.html

Of your list I would limit the offering of herbs (in small amounts probably OK, but a whole basil salad maybe not...) and cabbage (this is typically higher in anti-nutrients). Also, Cassava/yuca (unrelated to yucca) needs to be cooked before eating.

Winter squashes keep really well, if they are kept cool and dry (like in a basement).

 

[GoBigGuy]

Thanks for the feedback!

I've done a little more reading and have trimmed down the list to this:

Daily Salad Mix Ingredients
Collard Greens
Turnip Greens
Endive
Escarole
Mustard Greens
Acorn Squash
Butternut Squash
Spaghetti Squash
Summer Squash
Carrots
Yellow Bell Pepper
Bok Choy
Kale
Leeks
Snap Peas (pea & pod)
Wheat Grass
Yams
Zucchini

Weekly Treats – Only Give Once or Twice a Week

Apple (peeled)
Honeydew
Papaya
Blackberries
Raspberries
Strawberries

Figured this will give my wife enough things to look for at the store and give my daughter an idea of what she can feed. I'll tell her to pick 3 things from the salad like to give to him daily and that she can give him a treat once or twice a week.

Good list?

Freezing doesn't damage nutrients (I believe that basically an old wives tail) but thawing (things leach out in the water that is lost) and blanching (most greens need to be blanched to be frozen) can cause nutrient loss.

The general logic behind the staple greens is they are usually pretty good sources of calcium - calcium deficiency is a very common problem in pet reptiles (and other pets for which 'complete diets' don't exist). On the list Cooper linked, or really any bearded dragon feeding guide you'll see the Ca ratio - this is a general idea of how much calcium is available, compared to phosphorus - ideally 2:1 is a good ratio. Personally I have no problem feeding 'occasional' foods frequently (daily or ever few days) as long as I'm paying attention to why they are occasional, I'll make high calcium food a majority of the meal or supplement with calcium powder. I try to get things that are fresh, sometimes the greens are really nice and sometimes they are pretty gross. Depending on your daughters interests it may even be a chance for her to learn more about nutrition/foods. This is a pretty good summary for building a diet. http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/forums/feeder/1048690-calculating-out-ratios-supplmentation-edible.html

Of your list I would limit the offering of herbs (in small amounts probably OK, but a whole basil salad maybe not...) and cabbage (this is typically higher in anti-nutrients). Also, Cassava/yuca (unrelated to yucca) needs to be cooked before eating.

Winter squashes keep really well, if they are kept cool and dry (like in a basement).

 

[kingofnobbys]

Would this be a good list to give her? Anything I should remove or change?

Daily Salad Mix Ingredients -Pick 3 & No More Than 1 Fruit
Collard Greens
Asparagus
Nectarine
Cactus Pad/Leaf
Fresh Basil
Papaya
Endive
Carrots
Pea Sprouts
Escarole
Fresh Cranberries
Peach
Mustard Greens
Yellow Bell Pepper
Snap Peas (pea & pod)
Acorn Squash
Bok Choy
Plum
Butternut Squash
Green Cabbage
Fresh Rosemary
Spaghetti Squash
Cantaloupe
Strawberries
Summer Squash
Grape Leaves
Wheat Grass
Turnip Greens
Honeydew Yams
Apple (peeled)
Kale
Yucca Root
Apricot
Leeks
Zucchini

Yes, to an extent. I've had good luck mixing in bok choy, bell peppers, pumpkin, green beans and kale with the staple greens and some staple veges like zucchini and yellow squash on a regular basis.

pick those with hi Ca .

I use buk or puk choy, dandelion greens and flower, mulberry leafs , raw peas and raw green beans as my greens.
Grated carrot and grated sweet potato as my veg.

I also offer berries (black, blue, rasp, strawberries) as treats, banana occasionally, apple and pear sometimes.

Hard to get prickly pear pats here in Australia.

I grow some herbs for cooking and they get some occasionally, as well as nasturtium leafs and flowers.

 

[Amandamax]

Just FYI ,,, carrots are so easy that you might be tempted to feed them it every day. The vitamin a in carrots can't be absorbed by the reptile and eventually could kill it like a poison

We got two baby beardies from a pet store who told us carrots were great. Feed them and and feed it to the crickets.

After two weeks the smallest of our baby dragons died.

We were feeding only carrots and crickets which was not good.

We have now switched to collard greens and crickets

 

[ruben0311]

remember that whenever possible you can always pick "weeds" from outside to supplement or use as staples. people don't normally know that weeds are actually very nutritious to both humans and reptiles so as long as you are certain that the area is not sprayed or chemically treated go ahead and pick away. i get lots and lots of dandelions and minors lettuce from the hills near my home and also my yard... damn weeds are finally good for something!

 

[lissac67]

that will be a well fed dragon! I use items in black daily, just change it up. Peppers one week, apples next, cucumbers next, or a few of each in the main salad greens. So she doesn't get anything in black all the time, but a good variety. I also give what we have in the house, apples, blueberries, banana, etc. Just change it up and a little bit, not as a whole meal. Works out well once you get a system going. I also change up the staple green weekly. One week it might collard greens, the next dandelion greens, you get the idea. If there is extra, I toss it in our salad...so not to waste. Squash is also excellent cucumbers, fresh green beans, peas..you get the idea. I do use frozen peas and green beans when I make ours, just not daily..and I change it up as I mentioned. If I have a banana or apple, I give her some.