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When we feed insects that are
high in phosphorus such as superworms, we balance the dragons’ diet by
increasing calcium in other areas, through light calcium supplementation
and/or Staple foods low in phosphorous and very high in calcium. Note: oxalates
are calcium binders.
Note that even foods labeled as
staples should be rotated and used in different combinations. Included in this chart are photos
for easy identification, various notes on how much you can feed, preparation
advice, and a little bit of nutritional information.
- This
list will occasionally be added to, and if you have any other foods that
you would like us to list, please let us know at info@fireandicedragons.com.
- For
more detailed nutritional information on these and other foods, please
refer to the web sites listed at the bottom of the page.
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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.
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Food
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Photo
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Information
Ca:P - Calcium:
Phosphorus, Pro - Protein
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Acorn squash
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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
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Alfalfa
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STAPLE
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Apples
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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
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Asparagus
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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
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Bananas
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Only on occasion.
Ca:P 0.3:1 , Pro: 1%, Fat:
0.5%, Water: 75%, Fiber: 2.4%
OCCASIONAL
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Bell peppers
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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
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Blackberries
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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
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Bok Choy
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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
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Broccoli
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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
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Butternut squash
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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
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Cactus leaves (prickly pear)
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High in calcium. Should be
finely chopped, sliced or shredded.
Ca:P 2.32:1, Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.5%
STAPLE FRUIT
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Cantaloupe
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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
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Carrots
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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
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Chicory greens
(Escarole)
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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)
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Collard greens
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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
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Coriander (cilantro)
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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
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Cucumber
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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
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Dahlia
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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
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Dandelion greens
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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
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Endive
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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)
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Grapes
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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
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Green beans
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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
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Hibiscus
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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
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Honeydew melon
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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
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Kabocha squash
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Should be peeled, cored and
shredded.
Ca:P 0.6:1 , Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber:
1.9%
STAPLE VEGGIE
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Kale
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High in oxalates and goitrogens,
so it should only be 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
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Kiwi fruit
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Should be peeled, seeds removed,
and chopped or sliced and fed by hand.
Ca:P 0.7:1, Pro: 1%, Fat: 0.4%
OCCASIONAL
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Lettuces
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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
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Mango
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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
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Mustard greens
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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
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Nasturtiums
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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
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Okra
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Should be finely chopped or
shredded.
Ca:P 1.3:1, Pro: 2%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 90%, Fiber:
3.2%
STAPLE VEGGIE
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Papaya
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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
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Parsley
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Good source of calcium. Finely
chop.
Ca:P 2.4:1 , Pro: 3%, Fat: 0.8%, Water: 88%, Fiber:
3.3%
OCCASIONAL
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Parsnip
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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
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Peaches
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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
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Pears
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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
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Pumpkin
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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
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Raspberries
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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
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Rutabaga
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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
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Snap peas
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Should be finely chopped or hand
fed.
Ca:P 0.1:1, Pro: 0.8%, Fat: 0.04%
STAPLE VEGGIE
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Spaghetti squash
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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
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Spinach
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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
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Strawberries
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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
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Swiss chard
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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
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Turnip greens
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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)
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Watercress
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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
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Watermelon
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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
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Yellow squash
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Should be very finely chopped or
shredded.
Ca:P 0.57:1, Pro: 1.2%, Fat: 0.2%, Water: 94%, Fiber:
1.9%
OCCASIONAL
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Yucca root (Cassava)
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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
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Zucchini
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Should be very finely chopped or
shredded.
Ca:P 0.47:1, Pro: 1.1%, Fat: 0.1%, Water: 95%, Fiber:
1.2%
OCCASIONAL
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