Parrots Eat People Food Too
By Mary Wilson
One of the most common questions I'm asked is "what other things can I feed my parrot?" I then launch into my litany that consists of everything that is healthy for humans to eat with the exception of chocolate, avocado, and onions. Caffeine is out too, for those who think that their daily cups of coffee or sodas are healthy beverages.
But really, the gamut of healthy foods we can feed our parrots runs more deeply than those two simple sentences imply. After all, we can argue forever on what actually is healthy. Pizza contains the four food groups, but when it's heaped with pepperoni, pineapple, olives, green peppers, and everything else, how healthy is it really? A fast food salad may seem like a healthy alternative, until we realize that iceberg lettuce really is mostly water, and the longer vegetables sit around, the less nutrients they hold.
So let's take a look at the four food groups and see exactly what people food our parrots should enjoy.
- Dairy: Much of the dairy group can be eliminated as healthy foods for our parrots because parrots, like some people, are lactose intolerant. This means that they cannot digest dairy foods well. Hard-boiled eggs are the only dairy item that can be fed to birds. A little bit of milk included in a recipe won't hurt; however, feeding slices of cheese or yogurt should be done sparingly, if at all.
- Grains: This food group includes cereals, grains, and breads. With this food group, it is best to watch for processing. Cheerios, corn flakes, and other "basic" cereals are good to feed to parrots, but watch out for the sugared cereals or cereals with frosting or added flavoring. The same goes for breads. Corn breads and other homemade breads will make your parrot chirp with glee. White or wheat bread from the bread aisle may not be quite as healthy. Grains, such as bulgur wheat, oat groats, rice, millet, and others, can be cooked and fed without worry.
- Meat: A little goes a long way when it comes to the meat group. I would recommend small (miniscule) portions fed very sparingly, if at all. Some birds can hold too much iron or protein, and a balanced diet of fruits, vegetables, grains, and a pellet or seed diet with vitamins takes care of all of the parrot's needs.
- Fruits or Vegetables: Fresh produce all the way, except for avocados and onions. Citrus fruits can be fed in moderation, and when it has to be repacked, choose frozen over canned. The sodium added to canned vegetables and fruits is not good for human or parrot. When it comes to lettuce, the green, leafy varieties are by far more nutritious than iceberg.
- Fats and oils: Just like human diets, keep these out of the diets of our parrot friends.
I hope this article helps to make it easier to add to your parrot's diet. For those with picky eaters, keep trying. Eventually, the carrot that the pet parakeet thought would bite it will become a tasty snack.