BLENDED DIET

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BLENDED GLIDER DIET

THE BLENDED GLIDER DIET

with 4 variations

The blended glider diet and its variations are the results of months of research and the gathering of data by Candace B. Otte as part of an effort to understand the differences between the currently recognized diets for Sugar Gliders. One result of this project was the development of a Diet Calculator (excel spread sheet) to convert the various diets to per glider serving values so the diets could be compared on equal ground.

With no published “daily recommended amounts” for sugar glider’s nutritional needs for Calcium, Phosphorus, Protein, Sugar, Fat and Fiber (or any other nutrient), I chose to build a diet that was mid-range between the high nutrient contents found in BML (derived mostly from added vitamins and calcium supplements) and the comparatively low values of these nutrients found in the HPW diet which relies on the High Protein Wombaroo Powder as its source for the vitamins and minerals including Calcium and Phosphorus.

The Blended Glider Diet was created in response to my personal concerns that the amount of calcium and vitamin supplements in the BML diet appear to be excessive and that those supplements were developed for reptiles. My other concern is that the HPW Diet is low in calcium and it is very difficult to elevate the overall Ca:P ratio to close to 2:1 with the vegetables I regularly feed my gliders. (See Comparison Chart included in the printable version).

The Blended diet includes most of the ingredients found in the BML diet except the wheat germ and the vitamin supplements. I have chosen to use a human grade calcium supplement in place of the RepCal brand. The remaining vitamins, and part of the calcium, are provided by using the High Protein Wombaroo Powder which I personally feel was developed for Gliders, and other animals more closely related to them than reptiles. Bee Pollen, an element of the HPW Diet, is also included as a vitamin & nutrient source. Part of the calcium comes from yogurt. The calcium content of this diet allows a wide variety of fruits and vegetables to be offered, completing the meal close to the goal of an over all calcium to phosphorus ratio between 1.5:1 and 2:1 for the full meal. The DIET CALCULATOR may be used to see the resulting overall ratio of this diet and the fruits and vegetables you choose to feed with it.

THE RECOMMENDED DAILY SERVING per glider is 2 tsp (0.67 tbs) of the blended diet plus 1 tbs fruit and 1 tbs vegetable. Blended Diet may be placed in the cage frozen as it will thaw quickly. Variety is achieved by offering different fruits and vegetables each night. I use a single vegetable and a single fruit cut in glider-hand size pieces each night, but you may choose to use a mixture if your gliders prefer their food that way. Food may be offered on a divided plate, mixed together in a bowl or in separate cups placed around the cage for foraging. Mix up the presentation now and then to keep gliders interested in their food.

BLENDED GLIDER DIET RECIPE

PREPARATION: Combine all ingredients in a blender and blend well on a high speed to break up most of the bee pollen granules. Store mixture in the freezer. It will freeze to the consistency of ice cream. The recipe makes about 60 two teaspoon size portions. The Calcium:Phosphorus ratio for the basic recipe is 2.3:1.

INGREDIENTS:

1 bottle (4 oz)Mixed Fruit Juice with Yogurt (Gerber)

1/2 cup (4 oz)Honey

1/2 cup (4 oz)Warm Water

1 jar (2.5 oz) Strained Chicken or Turkey

(Beechnut or Gerber, meat only with broth or gravy)

5 TBS (2.5 oz) Yogurt -Plain (or low fat Vanilla - no artificial sweeteners)

1 Large Egg (hard boil, microwave or scramble with no added fat)

1/4 cup (4 tbs) Mixed Cereal (Gerber or Beechnut)

3 TBS High Protein Wombaroo Powder

1 TBS Bee Pollen

900 mg Calcium Powder (Human grade calcium powder found in health food stores that carry organic foods, not 'vitamin' stores.)

CALCIUM POWDER OPTIONS:

3/4 tsp NOW brand Calcium Carbonate 1200 mg / tsp

2 tsp NOW brand Calcium Citrate 700 mg / 1.5 tsp

VARIATIONS OF THE BLENDED DIET

Since we all like to tinker with our glider diets somewhat, I have looked at 3 variations which do not significantly change the nutrients provided by the over all diet.

First Variation - Blended Diet #2 Change honey to 1/4 cup and water to 3/4 cup. The result is a slightly lower sugar content, protein, fat, fiber and the Ca:P ratio remains 2.3:1.

Second Variation - Blended Diet #3 Omit the baby food chicken and use only the 1 large egg. The result is a slightly lower protein and fat content and the Ca:P ratio is 2.4:1.

Third Variation - Blended Diet #4 Omit the Egg and use only the strained Chicken or Turkey. This results in a slightly lower fat content and the Ca:P ratio increases to 2.5:1.

Fourth Variation - Blended Diet #5 makes a small batch (20 glider portions) and can be refrigerated and used within 5 days. This version is good for travel and can be made in a shaker jar if a blender is not available. The ratio is 2.0:1.

Ingredients: 1 large Egg cooked and finely mashed

3 TBS Plain Yogurt

3 TBS Honey

3 TBS Water

2 TBS Unsweetened Apple Juice,

4 tsp High Protein Baby Cereal

1 TBS HPW Powder

1 tsp Bee Pollen (crushed if you are not using a blender)

300 mg Calcium Powder (1/4 tsp Now Brand Calcium Carbonate

or 2/3 tsp Now Brand Calcium Citrate).