Food Not To Feed
================


Copyright by Valerie Haecky. This document may be freely 
distributed for non-profit use, provided this notice is
included.

There are some foods that your turtle definitly should never get:
	* Don't feed meat to vegetarian turtles/tortoises
	* Spinach is high in oxalic acid which prevents calcium absorption. Don't feed
          or feed only very rarely. Same for rhubarb and chard. Do NOT feed rhubarb
          leafs. They are poisonous.
	* Foods cooked and prepared for humans. They are too high in salt and fat. 	
	* Raw or cooked hamburger or other low-quality, high-fat meat
	* Pork, bacon, sausages and processed meat
	* Raw chicken or turkey

There are some foods that your turtle should only get sparingly:
	* Any canned dog or cat food. Too much fat. Too much protein.
	* Cabbage, broccoli, bok choy, cauliflower, kohlrabi, brussels sprouts, turnips,
	  soy beans, radishes. Feeding too much can promote kidney disease and goiter.
	* Organ meats. 
	* Lettuce and celery have no nutritional value.
	* Beef and cooked chicken and other meats for humans
	* Beans, peas

The best protection against nutritional deficiencies is a balanced, varied diet
made up of a combination of natural foods and either commercial turtle food or
supplements for reptiles.