bok choi

Posted:
Fri Jul 14, 2006 2:34 am
by mini
i sometimes feed rocky with bok choy. but i don't know if it's suitable for turtles. anyone has any idea? thanks.
here's a link to more info about bok choy:
http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/Healthy_foods/15-18-20-131.asp

Posted:
Fri Jul 14, 2006 4:43 am
by reptilegrrl
Bok choy is high in goitrogens, so it should only be an OCCASIONAL treat. I mean, less than once a month. Do not make it a staple of the diet.
Goitrogens are chemicals that bind with iodine, and carry it out of the body. This can cause hypothyroid condition in reptiles.

Posted:
Fri Jul 14, 2006 11:36 am
by marisa
This is true of excessive amounts of other members of the Brassica family, including cabbage, broccoli, kale and collards. (Many people use foods from this family, especially the latter two mentioned, in moderate amounts without any problems.) Increasing the iodine in the diet by adding a bit of kelp (powdered or dry) can offset the effects of these foods IF there is concern that such foods have been fed too frequently.