FOOD CHART

STAPLE - These foods are good to feed on a regular basis. Don't forget to rotate them.

OCCASIONAL - Best to feed these foods only on occasion. Overfeeding most of these foods can lead to serious health problems. Combined with a balanced mixture of staple foods on occasion (a few times a month) can provide a bearded dragon with the variety it needs.

TREAT - These foods work well as a treat or snack. Some of these foods can be included as a regular part of the diet, but most are only occasional treats.

TASTE OR COLOR ENHANCER - Occasionally added to a balanced mixture of foods to make the meal tastier and more interesting.

RARELY OR NEVER - Due to poor nutritional content, this food item is okay if offered only rarely, along with other, more nutritious greens and veggies.
 
Food
Photo
Information
Ca:P - Calcium: Phosphorus, Pro - Protein
Acorn squash

Good source of fiber. Rind should be discarded. Core and finely chop or shred.
Ca:P 0.9:1 , Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 1.5% 
STAPLE VEGGIE
Alfalfa

STAPLE
Apples

Should be peeled, cored, chopped small or shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 0.15%, Fat: 0.3%, Water:84.5%, Fiber: 1.9% 
OCCASIONAL
Asparagus

Very good source of protein. Should be finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.38:1 , Pro: 2.3%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 92%,Fiber: 2.1% 
OCCASIONAL
Bananas

Only on occasion.
Ca:P 0.3:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.5%, Water: 75%, Fiber: 2.4% 
OCCASIONAL
Bell peppers

This category includes red peppers, green peppers and other bell peppers. Should be cored and then finely chopped or shredded. Good for adding color/interest to diet. (Nutritional information based on red peppers, but most other bell peppers are reasonably close to the same.)
Ca:P 0.5:1 , Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2% 
GREAT TASTE/COLOR ENHANCER
Blackberries

Great for treats and regular part of fruit content.
Ca:P 1.5:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 86%, Fiber: 5.3% 
OCCASIONAL
Bok Choy

Also known as or equivalent to Chinese cabbage, bok choi, pak choi, and various other names. High in goitrogens. Tear green portion into large pieces or strips. White portion may be discarded or finely chopped.
Ca:P 2.8:1, Pro: 1.5%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1% 
OCCASIONAL
Broccoli


High in oxalates and goitrogens and should only be fed on occasion. Cut into very small pieces or shred. Leaves can also be offered.
Ca:P 0.7:1 , Pro: 3%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3%
OCCASIONAL
Butternut squash

Very good staple vegetable and excellent source of fiber. Should be peeled and cored.
Typically, we shred or thinly slice and feed by hand. 
Ca:P 0.6:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94% 
STAPLE VEGGIE
Cactus leaves (prickly pear)

High in calcium. Should be finely chopped, sliced or shredded.
Ca:P 2.32:1, Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.5% 
STAPLE FRUIT
Cantaloupe

Should be cored, rinds discarded and chopped. We usually thinly slice and feed by hand. Great source of additional water content.
Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 0.8% 
OCCASIONAL
Carrots

Should be peeled and shredded. (Carrot tops can be high in oxalates and should only be fed on occasion.)
Ca:P 0.6:1, Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 3% 
OCCASIONAL
Chicory greens
(Escarole)

Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when torn into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 1:0.9, Pro: 1.7%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 4%
STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS)
Collard greens

Excellent choice for greens. High in calcium and somewhat high in goitrogrens. Best when torn into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 14.5:1 , Pro: 2.5%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 91%,Fiber: 3.6% 
STAPLE GREEN
Coriander (cilantro)

Good choice for an occasional green. High in oxalates. Finely chop.
Ca:P 1.4:1 , Pro: 2.1%, Fat: 0.5%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.8% 
OCCASIONAL
Cucumber

Lacks in nutrition, but okay on occasion for additional water and flavor.
Ca:P 0.7:1 , Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.18%, Water: 96%,Fiber: 0.8% 
OCCASIONAL
Dahlia

Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals.
GREAT TREAT
Dandelion greens

Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when torn into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag. Use caution when using wild dandelion greens by making sure no pesticides or other chemicals have been used. Both the flowers and leaves are okay to feed.
Ca:P 2.8:1, Pro: 2.7%, Fat: 0.7%, Water: 86%, Fiber: 3.5% 
STAPLE GREEN
Endive

Excellent choice for greens and high in calcium. Best when torn into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 1.86:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.4% 
STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS)
Grapes

High in oxalates. Should be chopped or cut in half. Good source for additional water content.
Ca:P 0.8:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.6%, Water: 81%, Fiber: 1%
OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT
Green beans

Also known as snap beans. Good choice for staple vegetable. Should be finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 1:1 , Pro: 1.8%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 3.4% 
STAPLE VEGGIE
Hibiscus

Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals.
GREAT TREAT
Honeydew melon

Should be cored, rinds discarded and shredded or sliced if feeding by hand.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 0.5%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 0.6% 
OCCASIONAL
Kabocha squash

Should be peeled, cored and shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9% 
STAPLE VEGGIE
Kale

High in oxalates and goitrogens, so it should onlybe fed on occasion. Best when torn into larger pieces or strips. We shred or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 2.4:1, Pro: 3.3%, Fat: 0.7%, Water: 84%, Fiber: 2% 
OCCASIONAL
Kiwi fruit

Should be peeled, seeds removed, and chopped or sliced and fed by hand.
Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.4% 
OCCASIONAL
Lettuces

Lettuces are very poor in overall nutritional value.
Romaine - Ca:P 0.8:1 , Pro: 1.6%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1.7%
Iceberg - Ca:P 1:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.2%, Water:96%, Fiber: 1.4%
Loose leaf - Ca:P 0.4:1 , Pro: 1.3%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9%
RARELY OR NEVER
Mango

Should be peeled, pitted, and finely chopped or crushed.
Ca:P 0.9:1, Pro: 0.5%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 82%, Fiber: 1.8% 
STAPLE FRUIT
Mustard greens

Excellent choice for greens. High in calcium, but somewhat high in goitrogens. Best when torn into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 2.4:1, Pro: 2.7%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3.3% 
STAPLE GREEN
Nasturtiums

Both flowers and leaves are okay to feed. Use caution and do not use plants that may have been treated with any pesticides or other chemicals.
GREAT TREAT
Okra

Should be finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 1.3:1, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 3.2% 
STAPLE VEGGIE
Papaya

Good source of fiber. Should be peeled, seeds removed and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 4.8:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 89%, Fiber: 1.8% 
STAPLE FRUIT
Parsley

Good source of calcium. Finely chop.
Ca:P 2.4:1 , Pro: 3%, Fat: 0.8%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 3.3% 
OCCASIONAL
Parsnip

Should be peeled and shredded. Very good source of fiber and carbohydrates.
Ca:P 1:2, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 80%, Fiber: 4.9% 
STAPLE VEGGIE
Peaches

High goitrogens. Should be peeled, pits removed and finely chopped.
Ca:P 0.4:1, Pro: 0.7%, Fat: 0.09%, Water: 88%, Fiber: 2% 
OCCASIONAL
Pears

High in oxalates. Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped.
Ca:P 1:1, Pro: 0.4%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 84%, Fiber: 2.4% 
OCCASIONAL
Pumpkin

Rind should be discarded. Core and finely chop or shred.
Ca:P 0.5:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 0.5% 
OCCASIONAL
Raspberries

Excellent source of extra fiber content. Should be crushed for smaller bearded dragons. Larger bearded dragons can be fed whole raspberries.
Ca:P 1.8:1, Pro: 0.9%, Fat: 0.6%, Water: 87%, Fiber: 6.8% 
OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT
Rutabaga

Should be peeled and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.8:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 90%, Fiber: 2.5% 
OCCASIONAL
Snap peas

Should be finely chopped or hand fed.
Ca:P 0.1:1, Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.04% 
STAPLE VEGGIE
Spaghetti squash

Should be peeled, cored and finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9% 
OCCASIONAL
Spinach

High in calcium, but very high in oxalates and goitrogens, so it should only be fed occasionally. Should be finely chopped.
Ca:P 2:1, Pro: 2.9%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.7% 
OCCASIONAL
Strawberries

High in oxalates and goitrogens. Remove stems and caps and finely chop.
Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 2.3% 
OCCASIONAL AND/OR TREAT
Swiss chard

Very high in oxalates and should only be fed occasionally. Should be finely chopped.
Ca:P 1.8:1, Pro: 0.2%, Fat: 0.1% 
OCCASIONAL
Turnip greens

Decent choice for greens. Very high in calcium, although somewhat high in oxalates and goitrogens. Best when torn into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop, shred, or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 4.5:1, Pro: 1.5%, Fat: 0.3%, Water: 91%, Fiber: 3.2% 
STAPLE GREEN (WHEN MIXED WITH OTHER GREENS)
Watercress

Excellent choice for greens and very high in calcium. Best when cut into larger pieces or strips. Finely chop or discard stems. Store cut, dried pieces in plastic storage bag with other greens wrapped in paper towels. Squeeze air out of bag.
Ca:P 2:1, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0% 
STAPLE GREEN
Watermelon

Very little nutrition, but an excellent source for additional water content. Remove rinds and cut or crush into small pieces.
Ca:P 0.9:1, Pro: 0.6%, Fat: 0.4%, Water: 92%, Fiber: 0.5% 
OCCASIONAL
Yellow squash

Should be very finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.57:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber: 1.9% 
OCCASIONAL
Yucca root (Cassava)

Very tough. Should be peeled and finely shredded.
Ca:P 1:1.7, Pro: 1.36%, Fat: 0.28%, Water:59.7%, Fiber: 1.8% 
STAPLE VEGGIE
Zucchini

Should be very finely chopped or shredded.
Ca:P 0.47:1, Pro: 1.1%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 95%, Fiber: 1.2% 
OCCASIONAL
 
 
 
 
                             Food Chart Last Updated 4/7/04
This food chart is reproduced in part, with express permission of the Green Iguana Society.
The version of the chart shown here has been adapted to our methods for feeding Bearded Dragons.   



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