          
|
 |
Defining
GRI Low Glycemic
& Diabetic-Friendly
Pet Foods
|
As
a species, dogs are cats are evolutionarily designed to utilize
animal proteins and fat as their primary fuel, with Low Glycemic
fruits and vegetables as a secondary fuel. It is important
to include Low Glycemic species-friendly fruits and vegetables
in canine and feline pet foods.
In the canine and feline, diets high in sugars and carbohydrates
accelerate the aging process, reduce lifespan, and exacerbate
cancer, diabetes, and other disease states.
One symptom of improper diet is skin diseases, which range
from mild to severe, and are manifested by itching and scratching,
rashes, and dull and dry coat.
HIGH-QUALITY INGREDIENTS
Glycemic Research Institute’s (GRI) pet food recommendations
mandate high-quality proteins as the primary ingredient in
any per food.
According to www.PetEducation.com:
“High-quality ingredients are essential for a healthy pet.
Some economy brands of dog food are made from inexpensive
ingredients that are not easily digested, and therefore, do
not provide the best nutrition. While they may technically
meet the legal specifications for percentages of protein,
fat, carbohydrates, etc., these foods have lower energy values
and lower-grade proteins.
Because of this, many health-building nutrients may pass right
through your dog's system without being absorbed.
It also means that you have to feed larger amounts of that
lower quality food to provide your pet with the same nutrition
as a smaller amount of premium food. When you compare the
cost of these foods on a per-serving basis, and realize how
quickly you go through a bag, economy foods may actually cost
more in the long run.
When you are looking for a healthy food for your dog, reviewing
the list of ingredients on the back of the bag is a good place
to start. By law, pet food labels must list their ingredients
by weight.
Look for meat, fish, egg, or some type of meat meal or fish
meal as the first or second ingredient. Meat, fish, and eggs
all have a high biological value, which means they have a
high percentage of protein in the form of digestible, usable
amino acids.”
CORN IS CONTRAINDICATED
Corn is typically found in dog foods, and is a prime example
of inappropriate pet food ingredients. When is the last time
you saw a dog grazing in a corn field?
Corn is the worst possible product to feed a dog, even in
small amounts, as their metabolism reacts to corn extremely
negatively. Corn elevated blood glucose levels in the canine
and feline, which causes skin problems, diabetes, and a plethora
of other physical problems.
HIGH GLYCEMIC INGREDIENTS
Ingestion of corn and grains directly affect blood sugar levels
in humans, as well as dogs and cats. The canine biochemistry
is hard-wired to produce glucose from amino acids (proteins),
which balances blood sugar levels.
Dogs can detect the smell of amino acids more distinctly than
any other odor, as they have evolved into an efficient meat-detecting
machine.
High Glycemic ingredients are contraindicated in canine and/or
feline pet foods and treats.
High Glycemic ingredients over-elevate blood glucose levels,
and increase risk of epilepsy, hypothyroidism, allergies,
yeast infections, cancer and diabetes.
| • |
Primary (high) levels of High Glycemic grains in canine
and feline pet foods are not acceptable. These include
wheat, corn, rice, and brown rice. |
| • |
Primary
(high) levels of High Glycemic carbohydrates include
potatoes, potato starch, beets, and cooked carrots. |
Many pet food manufacturers have recently begun to add potato
starch to dog and cat food. This practice is unfortunate,
because most consumers are not aware that potato starch
is High Glycemic and contraindicated in pet foods of any
type.
The Glycemic Research Institute does not accept canine/feline
foods or treats that contain high levels of potato starch.
It is added to pet food because it is a very inexpensive
raw material that adds bulk to the formula. This is also
the case with corn.
Unlike regular potatoes and potato starch, sweet potatoes
do not have the same negative effect on the canine, and
are an acceptable ingredient in pet foods, as long as the
ratios of proteins-to-carbs are in alignment.
CANINE ARTHRITIS
Pain management in the arthritic canine requires reducing
inflammation, and reducing excess adipose tissue body fat.
Sore and inflamed joints are a common side effect of arthritis
in dogs.
In the lean, muscular canine, arthritic-soreness is reduced
as compared to the overweight dog.
Excess adipose tissue fat is exacerbated in the canine and
feline via ingestion of grains and starches, which can be
fattening.
TOXIC INGREDIENTS
Many foods and plants are safe for humans to consume, but
are quite toxic to dogs and cats. Xylitol and chocolate
can cause death in the canine.
The following foods and plants are contraindicated
in dogs/cats.
Foods that can cause death, even in small doses, are tagged
as LETHAL.
| • |
XYLITOL (Lethal)
The Animal Poison Control Center of the American Society
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals reports a
substantially increased number of cases involving
xylitol poisoning in dogs. Found in sugar-free chewing
gum, candy, and baked goods, xylitol is a sweetener
that can cause serious and sometimes life-threatening
problems for pets. |
| • |
CHOCOLATE (Lethal)
Includes milk chocolate, dark chocolate, Cocoa powder,
baking chocolate, dry cocoa powder, chocolate milk,
chocolate candy, coca nut, chocolate ice cream, chocolate
chip cookies, chocolate cake. |
| • |
THEOBROMINE
(Lethal) |
| • |
CAFFEINE
(Lethal) |
| • |
DRINKS
THAT CONTAIN CAFFEINE & ENERGY DRINKS |
| • |
COFFEE
& COFFEE GROUNDS (Lethal) |
| • |
GRAPES,
RAISINS |
| • |
YEAST
DOUGH, BREADS MADE WITH YEAST |
| • |
ONIONS
& GARLIC |
| • |
SOY
(endocrine disruptions) |
| • |
TEA |
| • |
AVOCADO |
| • |
ALCOHOL |
| • |
MACADAMIA
NUTS |
| • |
VEGETABLES:
Vegetables in the nightshade family, such as tomatoes,
potatoes, eggplant and peppers should be avoided in
canine/feline foods, as these foods can aggravate
arthritic-inflammation and weight gain |
TOXIC PLANTS
Many household and yard plants can sicken
and/or kill your pet.
| • |
Lilies, Lily of the Valley, oleander, azalea, yew,
foxglove, rhododendron and kalanchoe (heart problems
if ingested). |
| • |
Rhubarb
leaves and shamrock contain substances that can produce
kidney failure. Certain types of lilies (Lilium and
Hemerocallis species) are highly toxic to cats, resulting
in kidney failure, even if small amounts are ingested. |
| • |
Sago
palms (Cycad species) can cause liver damage, especially
if the nut portion of the plant is consumed. |
| • |
Fungi:
certain varieties of mushrooms can cause liver damage
and other medical problems. |
| • |
Philodendron,
castor bean, corn plant, mother-in-law's tongue, Hibiscus
and hydrangea. |
|
|
 |
|
