Canned green beans

[Dae]

I was wondering if it would be safe to feed my little baby canned green beans? I alway give her fresh greens, but would it be okay for her to eat canned as well? Thanks!

[Kathy]

I would think it's okay as long as you check the ingredients list for any added salt, seasoning, etc. Of course, nothing beats fresh! :)

[Dae]

Yeah, I'm a bit worried about the salt. I'll have to check the label. I'll have to get her some fresh greens when I go to the store. Thanks!

[birdiemom]

The salt is a no no...our breeder said to always feed frozen if you can't get fresh.

[catfish]

when reheating frozen foods, remember to add them to already boiling water. Try to keep cooking below 5 minutes to retain that nice green color. It will also make the frozen green beans more nutritious. The vitamins will go out of the vegetable and into the cooking water if it is boiled, especially if it is in the water for a larger time. The change in color is the direct result of acid being formed in the cooking water and the conversion of chlorohpyll to pheophytin (makes that ugly olive green color, this happens in canned vegetables due to the canning process which requires high heat).

Also if you can, check to make sure the bag doesn't have large amount of ice crystals all over it. If this is the case, it has thawed and then refrozen...the product won't be as good if it is kept frozen.

Steaming is by far the best way to maintain the largest amount of vitamins.

[candi33]

I wouldn't recommend feeding canned. Like was said, all that salt is bad for them.

Frozen is next best to fresh. I feed my guys frozen all the time, we hardly ever have totally fresh stuff availble here.

[Dae]

I got her some frozen green beans and other veggies. Thanks everyone!

[marjet]

But should all veggies be cooked? In nature they eat it raw as well don't they? :confused: I give Bibi quite often uncooked broccoli because she likes thore little thingy's, you think I should cook it first?

[Dae]

Yeah, I think you should cook the veggies before giving them to her because fresh veggies could have bacteria.

[Kathy]

Hmm, I never cook my vegetables before giving it to any of my animals. I was always under the impression that cooking (the heat) takes away most of the nutrition and kills it. I haven't had any problems since I wash them very well.

What do most other people do?

[birdiemom]

I feed fresh uncooked whenever I can. Just wash really well. The one thing I do cook always is sweet potato.

[Kathy]

I feed fresh uncooked whenever I can. Just wash really well. The one thing I do cook always is sweet potato.
Oh yes, I do cook the potatoes.

[Sally]

I cook veggies, but also give them uncooked. Cooking can maybe take some nutrients, but plenty are left. I give them to my doggie and Chipper. I cook a bag of froz veggies and also a fresh sweet potato in the microwave. I then put it all in a food processor. I give it to Chipper and my little dog. PACKED with nutrients. I put some seed in Chipper's. She doesn't eat any see unless it is in her fav. "cookie" or in this veggie mash.

[catfish]

it depends on how it is cooked. the BEST way to cook a vegetable is going to be steaming it. boiling leeches the nutrients right out of the vegetable. the max time you can cook a vegetable by boiling is 5 minutes. The vegetable needs to be added in when the water is boiling, the 5 minute timer starts as soon as heat is added.

raw is always good. but if you want to cook, steam it.

[Pado]

I agree with catfish - Raw or steamed are best - you can boil a lot of the nutrients out of vegetables.

I prefer to offer them raw - well washed.