Sprouted vegetables

What are sprouted vegetables?

Sprouted vegetables are plants that grow from the sprouts of seeds, grains or pulses. They are usually grown in water or moist soil and harvested after a few days when they are still small and tender. The best-known sprouts include alfalfa, fenugreek, broccoli, cress, lentils, mung beans and radishes.

Sprouted vegetables have many health benefits for both humans and dogs. They contain more nutrients than the full-grown plants, as they have not yet consumed much energy to grow. They also have a high content of enzymes that aid digestion and metabolism. Sprouted vegetables are also rich in antioxidants that fight free radicals and strengthen the immune system.

How do you feed sprouted vegetables to dogs?

Sprouted vegetables can be fed to dogs raw or cooked. Raw they have more enzymes and vitamins, but also more bacteria and harmful substances that can lead to diarrhea or infections. Cooked, they are safer and easier to digest, but also less nutritious. It therefore depends on the quality and origin of the sprouts whether they are fed raw or cooked.

The amount of sprouted vegetables should not make up more than 10% of the daily feed ration. Too many sprouted vegetables can lead to flatulence, abdominal pain or a lack of nutrients. You should also make sure that the sprouts do not contain any poisonous plants, such as tomatoes or potatoes.

Which sprouted vegetables are good for dogs?

Not all sprouted vegetables are equally suitable for dogs. Some have more benefits than others, depending on their nutritional content and tolerance. Here are some examples of good sprouted vegetables for dogs:

• Alfalfa: This sprout is rich in vitamins A, C, E and K as well as calcium, iron and magnesium. It has an anti-inflammatory, blood-purifying and hormone-regulating effect.
• Broccoli: This sprout is rich in vitamin C, K and folic acid as well as sulforaphane, a cancer-inhibiting substance. It has an antioxidant, immune-boosting and detoxifying effect.
• Cress: This sprout is rich in vitamins A, C and E as well as iron, iodine and sulphur. It has an antibacterial, expectorant and appetizing effect.
• Lentils: This sprout is rich in protein, fiber and B vitamins as well as iron, zinc and copper. It has a satiating, blood sugar-regulating and cholesterol-lowering effect.
• Mung beans: This sprout is rich in protein, fiber and vitamin C as well as potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. It has a digestive, dehydrating and alkalizing effect.

Which sprouted vegetables should I avoid?

Not all sprouted vegetables are suitable or tolerated by dogs. Some can even be harmful or poisonous. Here are some examples of bad sprouted vegetables for dogs:

• Fenugreek: This sprout is high in protein, fiber and iron, but also phytoestrogens, which can disrupt hormone balance. It can lead to infertility, thyroid problems or breast cancer.
• Peas: This sprout is rich in protein, fiber and vitamin C, but also in lectins, which can damage the intestinal wall. It can lead to diarrhea, vomiting or allergies.
• Radish: This sprout is rich in vitamin C, calcium and iron, but also in mustard oils, which can irritate the mucous membranes. It can lead to stomach problems, bleeding or kidney stones.
• Soybeans: This sprout is rich in protein, fiber and vitamin K, but also in phytoestrogens, lectins and goitrogens, which can disrupt hormone balance, the intestinal wall and the thyroid gland. It can lead to infertility, thyroid problems or autoimmune diseases.