Lima Beans

[nar1122]

Me and Pado have discussed this before, but are Lima Beans okay for parrotlets? Some sites say it isn't some say it is, some say it isn't unless its cooked....
here is the old thread:
http://talkparrotlets.com/showthread.php?t=752

But does anybody feed their parrotlet lima beans?
:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused:

[AndreaFahy]

We feed a lot of beans / legumes. But they must be soaked and cooked. I soak for at least 24 hours and then cook 2-4 hours.

I will look up lima beans in my medical texts in the morning.

The below should be considered for not only ourselves, but our birds

Legumes are rich in minerals, Vitamin B and plant proteins. Recent studies show that legumes contain several anticancer agents and that they all contain omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. Kidney and pinto beans are high in omega-3 fatty acids while chickpeas are high in omega-6 fatty acids.

Traditional societies prepared their beans with great care, soaked for a long period of time (12-24 hours) then rinsed, then cooked for four to eight hours (all the while skimming off the foam). Often times the cook water would be changed halfway through. These methods ensure that legumes will be thoroughly digestible and that all of the nutrients they provide will be well assimilated because careful preparation neutralizes phyic acid and enzyme inhibitors and breaks down the difficult to digest complex sugars.

Legumes can be seasoned and spiced to overcome any bland flavor to add interest.

What about canned beans? The canning process entails high temperatures and pressures that do reduce the phytate content, but such processing overdenatures proteins and other nutrients at the same time. Canned beans are best to not be considered.

[nar1122]

Thanks! :):)

Do you get your beans from any particular place?

[AndreaFahy]

*L* Yes, the organic food distributor to sell in my shop. We carry USDA human organic foods.

http://www.bonsaibirds.com/htm/beansgrainsetc.htm

I'll be adding a bunch more soon b/c we have gotten some new ones in :) :)

[nar1122]

Okay. I will look into it soon!
:):)