Quinoa (keen-wah) for your dog! Yes! It is not a grain; its actually a seed related to the spinach family. When cooked, it is light, fluffy, a bit crunchy and has a pleasant subtle flavor. It cooks and tastes like a grain, thereby making it a great replacement for grains that are difficult to digest or feed. It is used in many hypoallergenic foods for dogs. Some of the great things found in Quinoa are:
- Protein - It contains the 9 essential amino acids that help to build muscle
- Magnesium - Which helps relax muscles and lower blood pressure
- Fiber - Aids with proper elimination
- Manganese and Copper - A great team of antioxidants and cancer fighters
Quinoa is close to being one of the most complete foods in nature since it contains amino acids, enzymes, vitamins and minerals, fiber, antioxidants, and phytonutrients.
Awesome post Vicki!! Love this idea. I have been using mainly brown rice as a good source of carb for my dogs. However I find they don't feel satisfied enough with brown rice and chicken. I think the quinoa being a higher protein content grain will do the trick! It will give them a little more density without being a white processed nutrient deficient carb source.
ReplyDeleteGreat tip!
Piera
I am so happy to read this information about Quinoa! Thank You! I had picked up a pkg of organic Quinoa as I searched the grocery for healthy foods for my 4 dogs. I have cooked it 1 dry cup at a time and mixed with parsley, carrots, green beans to mix with whatever their meats for the day. Last week I used 3 lbs of ground chuck, carton of cottage cheese, cooked quinoa, 6 eggs, carrots, green beans and parsley. Lightly baked it in balls to feed them. They seem to respond really well to the quinoa, always licking their bowls clean. I do cook all their meats lightly because I have two old dogs, 13 and 14, and I know that a devastating infection might take either of them down. I mix their meats, using muscle such as chicken gizzards and lamb/beef heart, etc. I am high on parsley for it's value and I notice it keeps them from foraging for grass when they go out to play. I grind dried egg shells in a small coffee grinder for their extra calcium and give them all a high quality salmon oil each day, plus a dried sea source nutrient. So, I DO try to do the best I can and hope it makes a difference. Thanks again.
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